The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-06-17

ample. Let your light SO shine as
a precept that knows no times nor
seasons as it knows neither latitude
nor longitude
"Third-Do not attempt to connect
the negotiations which are going on
between the United States and Ger
many with those between the United
States and Great Britain. The cases
are different, but even If they were
the same it would be necessary to
treat with each nation separately. My
personal preference has been to re-
peat our insistence that the allies
shall not interfere with our COM
merce with neutral countries, but the
difference on this point was mat
ter of judgment and not matter
of principle.
Note to England.
"In the note to Great Britain, dat
ed March 80, this government said:
1" In view Of these assurances
formally given to this government it
is confidently expected that the ex-
tensive powers conferred by the or
der-in council on the executive oftic-
ers Of the crown will be restricted by
orders issued by the government di-
recting the exercise OF their discre-
tionary powers in such manner as
to modify in practical application
those provisions of the order-in-coun-
Gil which, if strictly enforced, would
violate neutral rights and interrupt
legitimate trade. Relying on the
faithful performance of these volun-
tary assurances by his majesty's gov
eminent, the United States takes 1T
for granted that the approach OF
American merchantmen to neutral
ports situated upon the long line OF
coast affected by the Order-ln-councll
will not be interfered with when 1t
is known that they do not carry
goods destined to or proceeding from
ports within the belligerent territory
affected
No Reason to Doubt Wilson.
There is no doubt that our gov
eminent will insist upon this posi-
ton This is an important thing.
The exact date Of the note is not ma
teriaI. My reason for desiring to have
the matter presented to Great Brit
ain at once was not that Germany
had any right to ask it, but because
was anxious to make it as easy as
possible for Germany to accept the
demands Of the United States and
cease to employ submarines against
There is no reason
why any German-Americans should
doubt the presidents intentions in
this matter. am sure that every
one will. on reflection, recognize
that our duty to prevent loss OF lie
is more urgent than our duty TO pre-
vent interference with trade-loss OF
trade can be compensated for with
money, but the settlement that the
United States and Germany may
reach cannot call back to life those
who went down with the Lusitanla-
and war would be the most expensive
of all settlements because 1T would
add to the number OF
dead.
Hopes for Agreement.
sFourth-I hope Germany will &C
n uiesce in the demands that have
been made and I hope she will &C.
uuiesce in them without conditions.
She can trust the United States TO
deal Justly with her on the consider
alton of any changes that she may
propose in the international rules
hat govern the taking of prizes. The
more generously she acts in this mat
.er the greater will be the glory
which she will derive from it.
"She has raised a question which
S now receiving serious consldera-
ion. namely, whether the introduction
If the submarine necessitates any
,hange in the rules governing prizes.
Che position seemingly taken by Ger
nany, namely, that she is entitled to
brown non-combatants because they
.ide with contraband, is an untenaDle
position, the most that she could IN
list upon is that, in view OF the IN.
reduction of this new weapon OF
warfare new rules should he adopted
passengers from obJec-
ionable cargo.
IF the use of the submarine JUS
flies such a change in the la" or
blockade as will permit the Gordon
O be withdrawn far enough from
he shore to avoid the danger OF sub
marine attack, may it not be ioAnd
,ossible to secure an international
greement by which passengers Will
,e excluded from ships carrying con-
raband, or at least from those carry
ng ammunition.
Would Bar Submarines.
ut would require but slight
hange in the shipping laws to make
his separation and belligerent ma
ion might be restrained from I'M
ecessary increasing the contra
and list if they were compelled TO
AIRY contraband on transports as
hey now carry troops.
Personally l would like to see the
Sc Of submarines abandoned entire
Y. lust as would like to see an aDan-
onment of the use Of aeroplanes and
,eppelins for the carrying OF explos-
yes, but l am not sanguine enough
o believe that any effective instru--
aent of warfare will be abandoned
long as war continues.
'The very arguments which the
,dyocates of peace advance against
he submarine, the aeroplane and
Zeppelin are advanced in favor OF
hem by those who conduct war. The
aore fatal weapon is the more 1t IS
n demand, and it is not an unusual
hing to see new instrument OF de-
truction denounced as inhuman by |
hose against whom it is employed,
'nly to be employed later by those