The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-06-10


ernments, representing nearly three
fourths of the people of the world.
Among the nations with which we
have these treaties are Great Britain,
France and Russia. No matter what
butes may arise between us and
THESE treaty nations, we agree that
there shall be no declaration of war
and no commencement of hostilities
until the matters in dispute have
been investigated by an internation-
al commission, and years time is
allowed for investigation and report.
This plan is offered to all the ma
tions without any exceptions what
ever and Germany was one fthe ma
tions that accepted the principle, be-
ing the 18th | think, to accpet. No
treaty was actually entered into with
Germany, but cannot see that that
should stand in the way when both
nations endorsed the principle. do
not know whether Germany would ac-
cept the offer. but our country snould
in my Judgment make the offer.
such an offer, if accepted, would
at once relieve the tension and sill
ence all the iingoes who are demand
ing war Germany has always been
friendly nation, and Il great many
of our people are of German ancest-
ny. Why should we not deal with
Germany according to this plan. to
which the nation has pledged its sup
port
"The second point of difference is
as to the course which should be pllr-
sued in regard to Americans travel
ing on belligerent ships or with car
goes of ammunition Why should an
american citizen be permitted to in
volve his country in war by travelling
upon beligerent ship when he
knows that the ship will pass through
danger zone? The question is not
whether an American citizen has a
right under international law to tray
Ell on a bellgerent ship; the question
is wether he ought not ont of consid-
Grafton for his country, if not for his
own safety, to avoid danger when ov-
idauce is possible
1t is very one.sided citizenship
that compels a government TO go to
war over citizens right and yet re-
lieyes the citizen OF all obligation to
consider his nations welfare | do
not know Just how far the president
can legally go in actually preventing
Americans from travelling on bellig-
crent ships. but believe the govern
ment should go as far as it can. and
that in case of doubt it should give
the benefit of the doubt TO the govern
menr a1
But even if the government could
not legally prevent citizens from tray
cling ono belhgerent ships, ii could
and in my Judgment should earnest
ly advise American citizens not to
risk themselves or the peace of their
country, and ], have no doubt that
these warnings should be needed.
president Taft advised Americans
to leave Mexico when insurrection
broke out there and President Wilson
has repeated the advice. This ad-
vice. in my Judgment. was eminent
ly wise, and I think the same course
should be followed in regard to warn
ing Americans to keep off vessels sub
ject to attack
Il think, too, that American pas
senger ships should be prevented
from carrying ammunition. The lives
of passengers ought not to he endang
cred by cargoes of ammunition,
whether that danger comes from pos.
sible explosion within or from pos
sibe attacks without Passengers
ana ammunition should not travel to-
gether The attempt to prevent Am
erican citizens from mourning these
risks is entirely consistent with the
effort which our government is maxi
ing TO prevent attacks from submar-
ines.
The use of one remedy does not
exclude the use of the other. The
most familiar Illustration is TO be
found in the action taken by munich
pal authorities during a riot. 1t is
the duty of the mayor to suppress the
mob and to prevent violence, but he
does not hesitate to warn citizens to
keep off the streets during the riots.
He does not question their rights to
use the streets, but for their own pro-
lection and in the interest of order
he warns them not to incur the risks
involved in going upon the streets
when men are shooting at each other.
"'The president does not feel justi-
ed in taking the action above stated.
That is, he does not feel justified,
first, in suggesting the submission of
the controversy to investigation, or,
second, in warning the people not to
incur the extra hazards in travelling
on belligerent ships Or on ships car.
rying ammunition. And he may be
right in the position he has taken
but as a private citizen | am free to
urge both of these propositions and
to call public attention to these rem
edies in the hope of securing such eX.
preston of public sentiment as will
support the president in employing
| these remedies, if, in the future, he
finds it consistent with his sense OF
duty to favor them.v
Spprntarv prvan caid in oivino ort