The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-08-28

their country in danger by travelling
on ships flying the British flag, is
shown by some of the papers that
voiced their opinion at the time of the
sinking of the Lusitania. Notable
among the papers in this section is
the De Moines Register and Leader,
and more recently other papers have
fallen in line with the idea that Ameri-
can ships, ships flying the stars and
stripes should be given the first con-
sideration by patriotic neutral Ameri,
cans. Whether or not Americans agree
with w. ]. Bryan politically, it is GER
tain that his ideas regarding Ameri-
cans travelling on the vessels of bel
ligerent nations, are bearing good
fruit. In signed statement by Mr..
Bryan, he versed his opinion regard
ing Americans who travel upon ships
belonging to countries now at war in
Europe. Mr.. Bryan says:
II have read the editorial opinions
concerning the sinking Of the Arabic,
as those opinions were reproduced in
Saturday mornings papers, but they
seem to me to avoid the most impor-
tant questions. The real question is
not whether American citizens have,
under international law, right to
travel through the danger zone on the
ships of belligerent nations.
THAT is admitted. The question
just now is whether an American citi-
zen should put his convenience or even
his rights above his nations welfare.
Suggests Restraint.
IF American citizens refuse to con-
slider their own safety or the safety of
the nation then a second question aris-
es, namely, whether the government
should permit few persons to drag
the country into this unparalleled war.
Our government has made it's pro-
test and there is no doubt that the po-
sition taken is abundantly supported
by precedent, but that does not neces-
sarily mean that we are going to war.
Diplomacy has not yet concluded
its work and even If diplomatic efforts
fail we have recourse to the treaty
plan which must be resorted to before
going to war with any other belliger-
ent nation. If the treaty plan fails, we
still have choice between entering
this war and the postponement of final
settlement until peace is restored.
Would Avoid Sacrifice.
"In the meantime, it will be we'll
to think of the thousands, or possibly
the hundreds of thousands, who would
be sacrificed if we enter this war;
these brave men are certainly entitled
to consideration as we'll as the few
who by deliberately mourning unneces-
sary risks, bring harm upon them
selves and danger to their country. It
Is time for the unneutral portion of
The press of the United States to lay
aside Its bias and unite in helping the
president to keep the country out of
war.
"The pro-Ally papers are insisting
upon war with Germany for the bene-
fit of the allies and the proc German pa
pers are insisting upon an embargo
on arms and ammunition for the bene-
fit of Germany. If these two groups
of papers would join together and urge
to restrain American citi-
zens from going into the danger zone
on belligerent ships, from carrying
passenger ships from carry
ing arms and ammunition-if they
would do this they would aid in pre-.
venting war and in reserving for our
nation the priceless opportunity to
act as peacemaker when the time for
peace arrives"