Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-11-14
Is the United States Neutral?

on board, Senator Stone of Missouri,
Chairman OF the committee on Foreign
Relations, gave solemn warning to the
belligerent powers of Europe and Asia
that the neutral rights of the United
States must be respected THE govern
ment of the United States and the
people of the United States" he re.
marks, have voluntarily assumed an
attitude of strict neutrality during the
continuance of the war in Europe. That
attitude has been taken in good faith,
and every one connected with the ad-
miristration of this government, in any
and all of its departments, is striving
to maintain that attitude. We recog-
nize and undertake to concede and en-
force the rights of belligerent powers
under international law. think it is
an opportune time to say that belliger-
ent powers, II they care for the regard
and friendship of this republic to them
selves should recognize and strictly OBJ
serve the rights and privileges of
neutral power. When we are perform
ing our duty, delicate and difficult as
1t is, with an eye to maintaining our po-
sition as great neutral power, nations
involved in war should be very careful
to recognize our rights and keep faith
with us. If they fail to do so, then the
responsibility of violating the right OF
a neutral government will rest upon
their heads. The government of the
United States will maintain it's posi-
ton, but it Is well for other nations to
know that we will not look with indif-
ference upon a violation of the rights
of our government or our own people"
Judging by past experience we have
less confidence than Senator Stone
that the United States government will
insist upon our rights as a neutral ma
ton. We have permitted without chal.
lenge the destruction of American
mails intended for Germany. We suf-
fered English warships to spy in our
harbors and make navigation unsafe to
the point of causing collision in the
port of New York We have not rails
ed our voice in protest when the Brit
ish government refused to recognize
the citizenship of American citizens
with German names. We have toler-
ated good naturally the grossest dis
ordinations against our commerce.
What is more, we have permitted Great
Britain to ship her own war material
dlltS SOluicI dCIOSC IIlC ICAllIoAy VI tAhO
United States For the Canadian Pa.
cific. upon which British troops and
British war materials were shipped to
Halifax, passes through American ter
ritory in the state of Maine.
We. have throttled the pro-German
members of congress on the pretext
that the war is not to be discussed. but
we have permitted Congressma1kG Gard.
ner to violate neutrality in a violent
attack on Germany made on the floor
of the house. We have permitted Eng
lands ambassadors to insult us in a
manner which no previous administra-
ton, even in days when this country
was weak and unready for conflict,
would be tolerated. Now, to crown a
series Of unneutral acts, we permit an
assistant of the secretary Of state to
repudiate his chief, Mr.. Bryan, and to
urge manufacturers and money lenders
to defy openly the spirit of President
Wilson's neutrality message. For, now
that England controls all avenues of
communication, the new Interpretation
of the presidents policy initiates only
against Germany and Austria Hungary.
Has the president changed his mind on
the subject Of neutrality? II not, how
long will he permit his subordinates to
repudiate his opinions?
George Sylvester Vfereck