Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1915-08-19

Government
During the Boer war between
Great Britain and the South African
republics, the patrol Of the coasts of
neighboring neutral colonies by Brit
ish naval vessels prevented arms and
ammunition from reaching the Trans
vaal or the Orange Free State The
allied republics were in situation
almost identical in that respect with
that in which Austria Hungary and
Germany find themselves at the pres
ent time. Yet, in spite of the CON-
mercial isolation of one belligerent,
Germany sold to Great Britain and
the other belligerent 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 small guam
titles.
while, as compared with the pres
ent war, the quantities sold were
small, the principle Of neutrality IN
volved was the same. If at that time
Austria-Hungary and her present ally
had refused to sell arms and ammuni-
tion to Great Britain on the ground
that to do so would violate the spirit
of strict neutrality, the Imperial and
Royal Government might with great
er consistency and greater force urge
its present contention.
1T might be further pointed out
that during the Crimean war large
quantities of arms and military stores
were furnished to Russia by Prussian
manufacturers; that during the re-
cent war between Turkey and Italy,
as this Government is advised, arms
and ammunition were furnished to the
Ottoman Government by Germany;
and that during the Balkan wars the
belligerents were supplied with mu.
nitions by both Austria-Hungary and
Germany.
"While these latter cases are not
analogous, as in the case of the South
African war, to the situation of Aus
tria.Hungary and Germany in the
present war, they nevertheless clear.
ly indicate the long-established prac-
tice of the two empires in the matter
of trade in war supplies.
''ln view of the foregoing state
ments, this Government is reluctant
to believe that the Imperial and Royal
Government will ascribe to the United
States lack Of impartial neutrality
in continuing its legitimate trade in
all kinds of supplies used to render
the armed forces of belligerent Elf.
cient, even though the circumstances
of the present war prevent Austria
Hungary from obtaining such supplies
from the markets of the United States
which have been and remain, so faI
as the action and policy of this Gov
ernment are concerned, open to al
belligerents alike.
But, in addition to the question o.
principle, there is a practical and sub
stantial reason why the Government
of the United States has, from thu
foundation of the republic to the pres
ent time, advocated and practiced un
restricted trade in arms and militar!
supplies. 1t has never been the pol
icy OF this country to maintain il
time in peace a large military estat
lishment or stores of arms and am
muntion sufficient to repel invasion
by a well-equipped and powerful en-
emy. 1t has desired to remain q
peace with all nations and to avoi
any appearance of menacing sue
peace by the threat of its armies an
navy. In consequence of this stant
ing policy the United States woult
in the event of attack by foreig
: power, be at the outset of the war 81
riously, II not fatally, embarrassed b
the lack of arms and ammunition an
by the lack of means to produce theI
in sufficient quantities to supply tn
requirements of national defens
The United States has always depent
ed upon the right and power to pu
chase arms and ammunition from neI
trail nations in case of foreign attacl
This right, which It claims for itsel
: 1t can not deny to others.
I "A nation whose principle and pc
D icy is TO rely upon international ma
: kets and internationa, justice to pr
serve its political and territorial /
4 tegrity might become the prey OF Q
aggressive nation whose policy al
n practice II is to increase its milital
Q strength during times of peace wi
a the design OF conquest, unless the n
Q tion attacked can after war had be-
h declared, so into the markets of q
$ World and purchase the means to d
l. bend itself against the aggressor.
THE general adoption by the n
y ,tions OF the world of the theory tn
= neutral powers ought to prohibit L
n sale of arms and ammunition to b.
/ ligerents would compel every nati
" to have In readiness at all times 81
h flcient munitions of war to meet n
~ tlbNlNg MhlNH hAlbHl uIlat anu
C. erect and maintain establishments
s. the manufacture OF arms and ann
10 milton sufficient to supply the nee
n of It's military and naval fore
lr throughout the progress of a war
le "Manifestly the application OF Il
. Cheory would result in every natl
: becoming an armed camp, ready to
sist aggression and tempted to empl
forces in asserting its rights ratl
than appeal to reason and Justice
the settlement Of international 4
y sing as II does, that the ad
the principle that It is the dl
autral to prohibit the sale
and ammunition to a belliger,
B the progress OF war would
Mbly give advantage to the bel
which had encouraged the ma
lure OF muntlons and l,hieh
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