The Detroit times., 1914-12-22
Vice-President of Detroit Vapor
Stove Co., in Lengthy Tele-
gram, Appeals for Real
Neutrality
CASE LIKENED TO
BOYS IN SNOW FIGHT
u. S. Makes the SnOwballs, But
Disclaims Intent to Aid
the ThrOwers

Edwin p. Harms, yice-president OF
the Detroit Vapor Stove Co, has sent
lengthy telegram to President Will
son decrying the fact that the United
States, neutral nation, is sending am
munition 10 the fighting nations, and
at the same time is helping to care
for the newly made orphans and wild
ows. Mr. Harms argues that In the
interest OF humanity the United
States ought to do everything in its
power to stop the war instead OF fur
nishing means to continue ii and de-
stroy lives. His telegram follows:
Detroit Mich. Dee. 81. 1914.
President Wilson,
Washington. ID. G.
Ny Dear Mr.. President:
Your opposition to building sub
present war is well taken. admire
Your decision and you have the APP
proval OF the nation.
There is another matter fully as
grave as that before us now. This
time II appears 10 me the state depart
ment mas made hasty decision. In Its
opinion the United States. remains neu-
nghting nations l would like to have
the men composing the state depart
ment bark back TO boyhood days, and
they could get any school boy TO an
swer the question ut hand. They do
not have To be learned Judges in this
simple problem suppose the boys were
having SNOWFALL light. and the boys
on one side We're yaliantly lighting and
making their own snowballs as they
fought and the boys on the other side
were lighting and also making their
own snowballs But bark. there are
\ some boys not in the fight but they
are furnishing snowbalis for one side
They are doing everything but actually
throwing snOwballs, This is the posi-
ton the United states finds itself I'm
now Any school boy would tell you
that II you are making and furnishing
snowpa!is Tor one side you are on that
side OF the light.
Another Illustration comes 10 me
T. burglars are caught trying to
blow open safe and one was holding
the lantern while the other one was
doing the job When these two cul-
prits are brought before the Judge,
would he say 10 the one holding the
lantern: You were only holding the
lantern therefore ! can not sentence
you TO prison, you were not really en-
&aged in this burglary You go free.
The United States is IN the same po-
sitlon as the burglar who is holding
the lantern. II We stop now 10 furnish
ammunition. the historians can remove
the stain on our actions somewhat by
saying, "At the start Of the war the
United states was assisting the allies
with munitions. and still claimed neu-
ctted that this amounted To the same
king as actual participation In the
war itself. and ordered IL stopped
Again. i say TO ask any schoolboy
and he viii point out the clearness
OF the case. Let us go on the side or
fairness and neutrality now, and say
that since all the nghtlng nations cam
not supply themselves equally well
with our munitions we are compelled
for the sake OF neutrality 10 stop sup
plying IL to any nation. This latter
case would also have the advantage OF
bringing the war TO an earlier close
There are only two ways that the
United States could be neutral One Is
10 see that all the countries get In
actual possession Of munitions from
us The other Is TO see that none gets
Ii from us Furnishing ammunition
when only one side can get it, IS just
the opposite OF neutrality. IL Is doing
everything but actively engaging in
the war on that side. No country could
accuse US OF not being neutral when
we would not furnish ammunition to
any nation whatsoever. That would
Be true neutrality.
Here comes the most pathetic and at
the same time the most ridiculous part
OF it Here we are sending ammuni-
ton TO Europe thereby helping to
at the same time we are also sending
relief funds and food for these newly
made widows and orphans.
Are you with me, Mr.. Wilson? IL so,
help the state department TO see the
light You surely would have the
nations support in this.
Yours very truly. /.
EDWIN i. HARMS
Vice-president Detroit Vapor stove Co.