West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-02-25
OUR RIGHTS IN
PERIL, SAYS TAFT
Sees Dangerous Crisis to Unit.
ed States Developing
BELLIGERENTS IGNORE LAWS
Ex-president Declares Recent De.
erees Are Innovations In Warfare
and at Variance With international
Law Governing Action Toward Neu.
trals-Whoie Nation Should Sup
port President to End.

Morristown, N. j., Feb. 23.-Tho
United States Is threatened with a
serious invasion OF it's rights as n
neutral by the warning nations OF Ecu.
rope. and In preserving it's commerce
with these nations Ia face to face
with crisis I'm the opinion OF former
President William III. Taft. In the
solution of that crisis, should Il arise,
no lingo spirit must be allowed to
prevail. MIR. Taft advised.
Mr.. Taft was speaking before the
Washington Association of Now
Jersey. lie said In part:
What certainly IL an innovation
upon previous rules I'm respect TO neu.
tral commerce and contraband of war
has been initiated by belligerents OF
both sides. The planting of mines in
the open sea and the use OF subma.
rines To send neutral vessels to the
bottom without inquiry as to their
neutrality when found I'm q so-called
war zone OF the open sea are all OF
them "A variation from the rules of
international law governing the nc.
ton OF belligerents toward neutral
trade.
When their violation results in the
destruction OF lives of American citi-
sens or OF American property grave
Issue VIII arise as TO what the duty
OF this government Is. The responsi-
bility of the president and congress
In meeting this critical issue thus pre-
sented In maintaining our national
rights and our national honor on the
one hand with due regard TO the awful
consequences to our 30 900 900 people
engaging in this terrible world war
on the other side Will be great. IL
involves on their part Judgment so
momentous In It's consequences that
we should earnestly pray that the
necessity for II may be averted.
IT happens that the party which
In prepared with ammunition and
arms Is excluded from the seas by the
navies OF their opponents. II happens,
therefore, that the only sale OF am
munition and arms that can take
place In to one side. Therefore. II Ia
said, that as the side TO which we are
selling arms and ammunition IL de-
pendent on our sales we should place
an embargo on that trade, force that
side TO peace and bring the war to
an end. II has always been rule OF
international law that neutral coun.
tries may sell arms and ammunition
to either belligerent, but they are abb
solutcly contraband and liable TO con.
hscation on board neutral vessel.
We have proceeded on this assump.
ton and our manufacturers have sold
arms aad ammunition TO those bellig.
erents who would buy"
In regard to the many protests OF
alleged violation of international law
brought TO the attention OF Washing
ton Mr.. Taft said:
I'VE are not sitting as judges OF
Issues between countries I'm Europe
In this great war. We are seeking
TO maintain strict neutrality, and
until our decision IS invoked with an
agreement 10 abide by our Judgment
and recommendation for settlement,
we need not embroil ourselves by Of
fetal expressions OF criticism or ap.
prOval OF the acts OF the participants
in the war This S. not only the
wisest course for US TO pursue I'm main
tanning an attitude that may give us
influence In promoting mediation
when mediation Is possible, but Il will
help us 10 avoid being drawn into the
war"