Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-08-16

sucn trattlc,
Manifestly the idea of strict neu.
trality new advanced by the imperial
and royal government would involve
a neutral nation in mass of porplexi.
ties which would obscure the whole
field of international obligation, pro.
duce economic confusion and deprive all
commerce and industry Of legitimate
fields Of enterprise, already heavily
burdened by the unavoidable restric.
lions Of war.
Own Action Cited as Precedent,
:" In this connection il is pertinent to
direct the attention OT the imperial
royal government to the fact that
Austria. Hungary aud Germany, par
ticularly the latter, have during the
years preceding the present European
war, produced great surplus of arms
and ammunition, which they sold
throughout the world and especially to
belligerents. Never during that period
did either Of them suggest or apply the
! principle now advocated by the mper.
ial and royal government,
During the Boer war between Great
Britain and the South African republics
the patrol of the coasts of neighboring
neutral colonies by British naval YES.
sells prevented arms and ammunition
from reaching the Trnnsyaal or the
Orange Free state. The allied republics
were in a situation almost identical in
that respect with that IN whica Aus.
tria Hungary and Germany find them
selves at the present time, Yet, in spite
Of the commercial isolation of one bel
ligcrent, Germany sold to Great Britain
and other belligerents hundreds Of
thousands Of kilos of explosives, gun.
powder, cartridges, shot and weapons;
and it is known that Austria Hungary
also Sold similar munitions to the same
purchaser though in smaller quaint.
ties
Principle Is Unchanged
"While, as compared with the pres
ent war, the quantities sold were small
On table Of the sales is appcndcd), the
principle Of neutrality involved was
the same, II at that time Austria.
Hungary and her present ally had re-
fused to sell arms and ammunition to
Great Britain on the ground that to do
80 would violate the spirit Of strict
neutrality, the Imperial and Royal gov.
ornment might with greater consist
oncy and greater force urge It's pres
ent contention.
"It might be further pointed out that
during the Crimean war large quaint.
ties Of arms and ammunition and mill.
tary stores were furnished TO Russia by
Prussan manufacturers, that during
the recent war between Turkey and
Italy as this government is advised,
arms and ammunltions were furnished
TO the Ottoman government by Ger
many; and that during the Balkan
war the belligercnts were supplied
with munitions by both Austria. Hun.
gary.
'While these hitter cases are not
analogous, as in the case Of the South
African war TO the situation Of Aus.
n.Hungary and Germany in the pres.
cnt war, they nevertheless clearly in.
dcntc the long established practice Of
the two empires in the matter Of trade
in war supplies.
Markets open 10 All Alike.
"In view Of the foregoing state.
ments, this government is reluctant Ia
believe that the Imperial and Royal
| government will nscribc 10 the United
/ States Il lack Of impartial neutrality IN
continuing its legitimate trade in AL
kinds Of supplies used to render III,
armed forces Of bclligerent efficient
even though the circumstances Of the
present war prevent Austria Hungary
from obtaining such supplies from th,
markets Of the United States, whcl
have been and remain, no far ns th,
action and policy OF this government
nre concerned open TO all belligcrentl
alike
"But in addition TO the question %
principle, there is q practical and sub
stantial reason why the government o
the United States has from the foundn
ton Of the Republic TO the prescn
time advocated and practiced unrc
atricted trade in arms and militnr.
supplies. II has never been the polic.
Of this country 10 maintain IN time o
peace large military establishment
- or stores Of arms and ammunition SUI
2 fieicnt 10 repel invasion by u well
, equipped and powerful enemy II ha
desired to remain at peace with al
d nations and avoid any appearance o
b menacing such peace by the threat o
It's armies and nayies'
4 R..a H. \