The Washington herald., 1914-08-23
TRUE NEUTRALITY.
Some Problems Confronting the Cow
eminent Demand Caution.

1t Is Of supreme importance that our
government. as wen as the individual.
should heed well the Presidents wise In-
functions upon true neutrality. and that
no step be taken under the guise Of erner-
gency legislation that may involve the
country in difficulties. We should take
care that the emergencies calling for
extraordinary action are really emer-
gencies. Above all, Il Is important the
government should not assume the re-
sponsibilities that In normal times prop
erly belong within the sphere OF private
initiative, unless we are perfectly sure
that private initiative is paralyzed and
the the interests of the nation are jeop-
ardized
In the matter Of government Insurance
OF shipping against war risks, the con-
ditions under which this Is asked Wilt
probably furnish Its own safeguard and
corrective. Where the channels Of COM
merce are open and private insurance
companies are accepting risks. there Is
no excuse for government participation.
The flag Is and ought TO be the best in
STRANGE against unjust seizure, and that
flag can best AFFORD protection when
there is urgent need for an outlet for
our produce and manufactures, such as
cannot now be supplied by the available
SHIPPING under the American flag, or I'M
the seas are open. and II IL be true that
there are awaiting American enterprise
fields Of commercial activity for the Occu-
patton Of which private capital Is not
now ready or existent then the entrances
OF the government upon this field OF pr
vate commercial undertaking might be
justified. But the step should not be
taken without Weighing ali the conse- .
quences. Even as a temporary measure.
he ~ ant NJ
for freight traffic is a step toward gov .
eminent ownership OF industries, against
which every conservative instinct OF the
country shrinks.
There is a more important aspect OF the
question. however, which should be given
attention. The country has full faith I'M
the Presidents desire 70 do nothing that
will in the remotest degree violate the
spirit, much less the letter, OF true neu-l
trality. Assurances have been given in-l
formally that there is no intention on thel
part Of those who are now advocating the
purchase Of foreign ships by the govern
ment Of having ouch vessels employed
in the European carrying trade. Such USE
would instantly involve the country. Bl
not in difficulty, at least in acrimonious
controversy as to the genuIneness OF our
neutrality.
II has yet to be shown that there IS a
shortage Of French and British ships for
the traf1c between the United States and
those countries. Traffic in food5tutIs with
Germany. directly or indirectly. would in
stantly raise questions Of contrab band,
and government ownership Of vessels en-
gagged IN such traffic would infinitely IN
crease the possibilities Of friction. Brit
ish comment on the subject already indI-
Gates the sensitiveness Of public opinion
from that quarter. and It ought 10 in
spire caution on our part.
Emergency legislation such as this can
not do more than give a temporary slim
illus to American shipping: vastly more
than this will be needed before American
capital can engage in the ocean carrying
trade on equal terms with foreign ma
tons. Therefore, We should ponder well
before adopting, even as a temporary eX-
pedient. a measure which may be used
TO embroil the country. Our paramount
duty is to maintain our present unique
position. We have such an opportunity
for service as was never before given a
civilized nation. but We shall waste il
should We allow mistaken ideas Of an
emergency to dictate measures that
might breed distrust Of our neutrality
and involve US IN controversy with the
nations now at war.-Public Ledger.