Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1915-05-04

ton 10 the utOpian. and the theoreti-
cal altruisL Nevertheless il is a
reality of international relations and
oi human nature. and the people
which ignores ID because IT'S own ne
cessities are not at the moment press
ms and because IL is pleasant TO in
dulge IN theoretical altruism With
out apparent expense is decciving IL
self and preparing for its own disil-
lusionment
The world is shaking with tie ire
mendous combat Of armed national
egotisms. II we are not bemused with
uicpian dreams We know that this
combat Will not usher in the mill
lcnnium and we shall realize from
The spectacle OF so much violence and
destruction that the time has not yet
como when a nation can afford to
stand naked in the world without
other defense than the good will OF
3 its neighbors While interests clash
We prefer our own 10 those OF other
nations. The man who does not is
not an American Until mankind has
attained a higher development.
greater uniformity Of ideals. stand
ards and traditions. and great
"a 'RNAlMAhAAe VI interests NNcH
are disccrnible 10 the mass OF men
today, nationality with It's rivalries
must be accepted as a fact. This is
the wisdom underlying the blunt
practical patriotism Of stephen De-
catur's toast. and though the extreme
altruist may be offended by IL, IL is
accepted and approved By all but a
very small minority.
From this standpoint Of tangible
national interest our commerce in
arms. until conditions change mater
tally, must remain what It Is.
II is within the unpleasant posi-
bilities that we should be subjected
10 measures so drastic as TO compel
an equally drastic response With full
consciousness OF the extreme gravity
, Of our action We might be compelled
TO resort To an embargo. and this
would be entirely within our legal
, right
Z But in present conditions our ma.
e. tional interest lies in our present pol
/ icy. The financial and social benefits
I To us from the commence in arms
are substantial. and they are benefit,
, we could not well afford to waive
D The war has stricken this country
= The need OF building up our interna
] tiOnal credit balance is plain. TIT
] need for employing idle workers il
- great
But there is another phase Of thii
? commerce, which though IL is ignor
!. ed. is Of great importance. II hal
! developed our capacity for manufac
e turing arms and munitions of war
a and to that extent we have diminish
- ed our unpreparedness for natioRa
I defense
y The importance Of being able Il
provide arms and munitions of wa
= within ones own borders has beer
acutely emphasized by the presen
Z war Il may even prove to be tn
D decisive factor Our supply OF cop
, per- OF iron. and other necessarie
2 is probably ample. But manufactur
2 ing plants and trained direction AM
s lsbor also are necessary. These ar
e now being developed.
= This war has tremendously empha
y sized the Importance Of artillery. ma
4 chine guns, and great supplies OF re
r sources Of ammunition II also ha
r brought about in America a develop
+. ment OF this vital factor Of defens
g without the exhortation of purblin
II congressman or the awakening Of a
uniformed and hence indifferen
= public.
The occasion for the growth q
= this necessary industry is tragicall
k deplorable. but since it has bee
thrust upon us, il is the part OF wis
4 dom to make the most Of It,