Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-03-19
"c.n WRONG Ever 30 Risht7"

Some of our Canadian contemporar-
les are apparently disturbed over tne
neutrality question. The Christah
Qua, t,,t,1. rc-cctc critizes the Chris
tan Heralds attitude on the war. pas
ing its objection on the ground that
this paper does not approve OF the
present policy of our government III
permitting arms and ammunition to pc
sent 10 the belligerents from American
ports 1t points out what everybody
knows. that, under existing condltlons,
it is impossible for both sides to AVIAN
themselves equally of the opportunity
to purchase arms in America, Tor the
obvious reason that the Allies controi
the sea. Therefore. the Guardian urges
to prevent such shipments would pc
blow at the allies and a direct aid 10
their opponents.
Unfortunately, the Guardians logic
halts here; it will not stand the test Oh
analysis. 1t seems blind to the tact
that a neutral nation, protesting to be
a christian power and an advocate OF
peace. can not reconcile its professions
with the sale of war material to either
side. Such course is neither christian
nor neutral. 1t invalidates all our pre-
tensions as peace-lovers and gives the
lie TO our profession Of Christianity.
Nor is it at all question as to which
side is benefited by our traffic IN the
material OF murder. Our act in any
case is wicked, hideous, indefensble-
a sin before Go. Yes. Weapons? No!
We feel that it is reproach to US as
nation to do what We are doing, and
thing that we shall yet look back upon
with shame.
Our Canadian friends are evidently
unaware of the fact that not one or
two, but all Of the neutral nations OF
Europe-Italy, Holland. Denmark, Nor
way, Sweden and Switzerland-have
laid embargo on the export of arms.
The United States enjoys the distinc-
ton of being the sole neutral power
that Is making money out Of the war
by selling war material-.'blood
money" the Omaha World-Herald
bluntly calls it. There are American
steel and iron manufacturers to whose
credit 1t should be stated that they
have refused contracts amounting to
millions of dollars for supplying shells
and other munitions to the combatants.
They have declined for humanitarian
reasons" to take profit on such traf-
Hc- foue OIsteTS are llOl So SSA aP3ASNSs
and consignments of big guns, metallic
cartridges and other paraphernalia OF
the battlefield are going forward
steadily to keep up the devils carni-
val"
Are our people blind 10 these iasts
That they are not is made evident by
the opposition OF number OF jour
mails which take the same view as
~ ~. fovnFyn0
an embargo include the Tacoma News,
Los Angeles Times, Denver Express,
Wichita Beacon, Kansas City Post.
Memphis News Scimitar, Illinois State
Journal Grand Rapids News. Saginaw
Valley News, Dayton News. NorfoiK
Ledger Dispatch. Omaha World-Her-
ald., Paterson Call, Paterson Evening
News, Toledo Blade. Spokane Chroni-
Gle. Troy Record and many others.
These are all American publications.
printed for and read by Americans.
There is a bill now before congress
providing for an arms embargo. A few
weeks ago a distinguished member OF
the United States senate, writing on
this subject. gave this striking descrip-
ton of the strange situation: The
spectacle of the United States sending
SnlplOauS OF lOOu ana CIOtNiHS W thS
orphaned and widowed people OF Eur
ope and at the same time sending
shipload OF guns and ammunition to
make more widows and orphans. is one
of those grotesque contrats that we
sometimes find. Again, there is SO much
money invested in the making and sale
of arms and war munitions that we
nave simply been powerless to get any
where with the BILL
He put it in the light in which 1t
should be regarded by all Americans
who take the christian view. Guns and
gospels, peace and power ammuh-
ton and aims as combinations are sim
ply unthinkable. If Jesus were here,
would he give bread to non combatants,
with the one hand and shrapnel to
combatants with the other? We are
surprised to find. even in these warlike
times. single religious journal lift its
voice in approval of the supplying OF
deadly weapons to carry on the great
drama of destruction that is now sad
dening the world-Christian Herald.