The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-03-12

prize court. II her court We're to re-
verse her former decisions and sus-
tain her foreign Office in It's new con
tention, the matter would then be-
come a subject for diplomatic CORES
pondence II not adjusted by de-
partmental agencies OF the two gov
ernments. we would then demand
that Il be submitted TO arbitration,
as we have the right to do under our
arbitration treaty with Grea Britain.
It will be seen. therefore. that there
is a healhful and orderly way in
which any controversy that might oc-
cur would be settled,
Again note carefully:
1T would be stated that Senator
Root. of New York, advanced the con
tention early in this debate that our
rights as a neutral to purchase the
interned vessels of a belligerent were
surrendered by Article 56 OF the De-
claration of London. This declara-
ton is draft Of rules and regula-
tions for the government OF an inter
national prize court. II was framed
by a convention OF delegations rep
reseuting the participating govern
ments which assembled in London in
1908. The claim made by Senator
Root was shown to be without foun-
dation whatever by Senator Walsh
whose able argument exposed the en-
tire subject, first, because the con-
yention was never radiied by Great
Britain, and as the ratification OF
those powers which endorsed the
work OF their delegates have never
been exchanged, il has not become
obligatory as a treaty; second the
representatives of Great Britain who
participated in the London confer
ence in their report to Lord Gray,
themselves construed Article So as
in accord with the rules hitherto en-
forced by British prize courts They
further stated specifically regarding
the transfer of vessels of belligerents
to Il neutral that transfers affected
after the outbreak Of hostilities are
good if made bona fde.' Further
more, Great Britain has issued three
proclaimations since the beginning
of the European war giving notice
that she would not be bound by the
terms OF the London Declaration as
to many of its important provisions.
In this proclamation she has been
followed by the allies As stated by
Senator Walsh it is accordingly idle
TO assert that the Declaration of Lon
don, so contemptuously treated by
the allies, can be appealed 10 by them
in justification of any course they
may take in the present war, or even
that it can justly have any persua-
sive force in the ultimate determin-
alton of our right to purchase the in
termed ships
NO claim for the London Declar-
alton has been advanced since Sena-
tor Walsh made his argument.
"Our right as a neutral govern
ment stands, therefore, as establish
ed and maintained in many notable
contests. Naturally, President Will
sons administration cannot assume
the responsibility of surrendering a
right which has been sustained by
the opinions of our ablest jurists, an
unbroken line of decisions by oul
courts, and the uniform policy of the
| Department Of State declared by such
eminent authorities as Marcy, case
Fish and Evarts.
Wilson will not plunge this coun
try into war. At the head of the ma
/ ton that stands for peace, he has
guarded our neutrality with noble
care. He has been first to anticipate
possible trouble and is quick to speal
the word of admonition to avert it
| With almost the first clash of the
great conflict came his solemn appea
to the people to refrain from an!
word which might inAame partisan
/ feelings. Mark his words
The United States must be neu
tral in fact as well as in name during
these days that are to try men''
souls
Have we kept the pledge?
q feel sure that it is the earnes
wish and purpose of every thought
| full American that this great countr!
of ours, which is, of course, the frs
in our thoughts and in our hearts
should show herself in this time o
peculiar trial a nation fit beyonC
others to exhibit the fine poise of un
disturbed judgment, the dignity o
self-control, the efficiency of dispas
sionate action, a nation that neither
/ sits in judgment over others nor il
disturbed in her own counsel, keep
| ing herself fit and free to do what il
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