The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-08-10
Why We Will Not
Get Into the War.

Can the United States Keep Out Of
It7- asks the Philadelphia Public Led
ger. quoting the opinion Of DR.. James
B. Angel. recognized authority on in
transitional law. to the effect that, tho
United States will have It's hands full
to preserve that absolute neutrality
which we are in duty bound to OBJ
serve"
It is pointed out, that with Euro
pean ports generally blockaded and
international law forbfdding the ship
ment Of contraband OF war to bel
ligerent states. a hundred incidents
might arise through the seizure of
American ships which would call for
instant protest from this country;
which might. IN fact, involve the
American nation IN the struggle which
has convulsed Europe.
We think the possibility Of such a
disaster Is remote, because IN common
sense and In the light Of common
humanity the United States has no
stake in European politics justifying
a resort to arms. 1t is difficult to
conceive Of action being taken by any
OF the warning nations towards this
country that would approach in grav-
ity the many provocatfons offered by
Medcan Oelligerents. We kept out Of
war with Mexico and we will scarcely
become committed to the far more
serious act Of participation in the war
In Europe.
II must be remembered. however.
that q situation which finds half the
world standing with swords drawn Is
one which offers the most delicate de-
cisions possible to the peaceful side
of the human family. Nations at war
have ceased TO reason with the nicely
Of nations at peace Treaties, conven-
lions. presidents and legal usage are
forgotten in the death grapple. -
may well happen that more than one
occasion may arise which would be
sufficient to give the United States |
the technical right to go to war.
The country will not go to war. |
however. first because II has as
President q man whose emotions, If |
personally they register at times a |
high pulse. are officially as cool as
the waters of a mountain stream: a |
man with the power of self-detach-
ment and with the habit Of logical |
thought; a man trained to weigh acts |
and their consequences; above all. a |
man who has brought conscience to |
participate in Statecraft
1t will not go to war because the
governors OF most OF the states are
men OF patriotism. with a sense of
responsibility. who are capable of un-
Outstanding their obligations, not only |
as governors Of their States, but as
joint rulers OF the nation as well.
For instance, suppose any large Slav /
population in any State should be !
made the victim OF the war fever of !
a German element or vice versa.
Suppose Russians should attack an |
Italian colony. Suppose Greeks should |
attempt a miniature battle in some
Little Hungary" OF the cities Unless |
the governors of the State were cool !
and on his job, what started as min |
or riot might become a diplomatic |
error to be paid for in war and all its |
cost in blood and treasure. The worlds !
passions today are set on the hair |
trigger. II ever sobriety, forethought |
the judicial quality were in demand. |
they are at this time.
In South Carolina we have one
city which, in the variety of its popu- |