The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-09-25
Sir Gilbert Parker, MP.

deyiated from the straight line Of perfect rect,.
tude in all its history.
Il has been in tune and sympathy with the
hishmindedness and sensible idealism of the
American people in regard to great events in
the worlds history its events march past
The influence OF American public opinion is al.
ways thrown the side Of right as that opin-
ion sees IT, not on the side Of prejudice II can
be faithfully said that the American people
stand for Charity TO all and malice toward
none IL Is not surprising, therefore. that all
the cOmbatants In this great war desire at least
American good opinion. while Germany has de-
sired. not only the good opinion. but an active
support-not through armies and navies but
through the manipulation and distortion OF
neutral rights in her favor
The use OF German-American political in
huence. and the threat or what it could do. was
not very logical position for a logical nation
IKE the Germans 70 take up; because II the
feeling, or influence. Of sections OF the Amer.
lean people are 10 be considered then on the
basis Of the majority ruling. the American Gov
eminent must have abandoned its strict neu-
uality in the favor OF the Allies: for we are
assured from thousand quarters In the United
states that the overwhelming majority OF the
American people are In sympathy with our
cause. That IS Acknowledged bitterly ana
NiclOusly BY the Germans themselves
There are thOse. however I'm this country
who have been as illogical as unreasonable
and as unwise as the Germans. They have
been unable 10 understand Why when the
American people, BY an immense majority IA
vored the cause OF the Allies. the American
Government should remain neutral. or should
not completely and openly support the Allies
They cannot understand why the United states
should not Officially have condemned Germany
Tor is violation Of Belgian neutrality The
position r. shortsighted and unjust I 60 not
hesitate 10 say that the universal condeuna.
ton Of the violation OF Belgian neutrality with
the cruel and murderOus treatment OF the Bel.
gian people, through process OF official afro
city committed on such towns AZ Dinant Aer.
sch0t. Malines Louvaln and Termonde has in
its spontaneify and freedom from official dfrec.
ton. an Infinitely greater effect upon the world
than any Official reproach. with its carefully
vorded phrases could have had
The newspapers and the people Of the United
States nave been free 70 express themselves
untrammeled hy any complications which
might have occurred r. for instance. Germany
had told the United states 90 mind her own
business on the receipt OF an official note con.
FoyIuE r0proach. Tho reply % the few dis.
satisfied people here 20 this would be- "Ah
then. the United States. n she we're challenged
~ Germany, would abandon her neutrality and
take part an the war on the side OF the Aliioaf"
To very many others. however. 30 is Infinitely
better for the worlds sake. and 7 believe Tor
our own. that the United States should not
abandon her neutrality
u may De that many more nations than are
now Of war in Europe viii be- involved before
summer has come. ln the interests of a stable
civilization 10 "a essential that the stoadyinr.
wholesome. dispaasi0nate and honorable ln.
furnce of The United States should. unhamp.
cred by the terrible restrictions Of houirerency.
Do used in the interests n the whole world. and
particularly in tho interests ~ the small ma
lions iu The whole world when the end OF this
war comes Against milltariam. and The re-
suits n milltarigm the United States ia Oh.
posed f0 a man. She viii dorido-aho has de-
cidod FOR herrolf-vhether this nation and this
Empire la mlIitarlsflc nation and Empire.
We Do not fear her scrutiny in thla regard.
We welcome the closest study of our policy and
our practice. and that is why the vast ma.
iority ~ uH in this country feel thar the United
States can serve me best interests OF clviiiza.