Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-12-13
THE NATIONS FOREIGN POL
10Y.

The most grieyous disappointment
that has overtaken the narrow-bound
political opponents Of the present ma
tional administration grows out Of the
courageous, firm, statesmanltke and
intelligent manner in which President
Wilson has handled the various deli
cate and complicated international is
sues with European powers growing
out OF the war. Instead Of proving
weak and giving rise to the charges
that America had lost prestige and
respect, the president has pursued 4
course Of frmuess and fearlessness In
unfolding the neutral attitude Of the
United States that has startled his
own countrymen and aroused the fear
Of the timld, and awakened the admir-
alton Of the world. but more than that
has compelled offending beIligerents
to bow to hts mandates. As an IN
stance. John Callan O'Loughlin, The
Washington correspondent Of the Chi
cago Herald, celebrating on the dis
patches carried by the great press as
soeiahons last Friday night, said over
the wire;
william Of Germany has per-
sonally withdrawn Captains Boy
cd and Won Papen, naval and mir
/ itary attaches Of the German en-
/ bassy, and has made a personal
request that the United States
! obtain safe conducts for them and
| their successors.
Secretary Lansing formally an
nounced this fact this evening. It
was made plain that the recall OF
the attaches was perfectly salts
factory to Emperor William, who
handled the case personally.
The recall was asked by the
United States because Of the con-
nection Of the attaches with var
ious plots against American order
and security.
Delicate as is the situation OF
the United States with the central
powers Of Europe and irritating
as are the questions between this
country and the allies, there were
other developments which caused
the administration to look hope
fully toward the future so far as
/ the peace Of this country is con-
! cerned.
On the part of the allies the
British government made trade
I concessions, and, it is learned,
intends to make others.
The vigorous protests of the Unite
States lodged with Great Britain re
garding that governments near polio
Of piracy with neutral shipping is. in
deed, bearing fruit Ambassador Pag
= at London has notified Washingto
that Great Britain has aeceded to til
I American protest against requistion
ing ships Of the American Trans-At
lantic company. Test cases will b
made Of two boats now in custody {
the British, but in the meantime othe
vessels Of this line will not be me
Tested By yielding to these point
Great Britain has acknowledged ths
she was wrong 1t appears TO be
slow aud tedious process to eonvinC
Great Britain that American eommerC
on the high seas must he permitted t
move without undue interference, bJ
it is winning. If the United State
desired to court war with Great Bri
ain it could put at the disposal of il
merchant vessels q few waTships {
conveys to see that they were III
molested. This is the course ths
some advise who think the Unite
States should plunge into the Eurt
pean conflict. 1t is quite plain. how
ever, that we are accomplishing mol
by diplomacy and frmness in maxim
demands whose justice cannot be d.
MED than we could by any other metl
cd that could be suggested.
. On top of this, the administratic
has sent singing rebuke to Austr
: amounting practically to an ultimatu
and is preparing d hot note to France
protest Of searching American shil
bearing Germans to this country, ar
removing them, especially where ii
! intent is to become American citizen
So that the international policy
the United States, instead Of heir
supine or weak, il the strongest
American history under the most TT.
Z ing circumstances