The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-02-23
UNITED STATES
FACING CRISIS
ES-PRESioENT TAFT TALKS ON
SITUATION CONFRONTING
COUNTRY DUE TO WAR.
To Protect Rights Of Our Citizens ara
Maintain Strict Neutrality 10
a Serious Problem.

Serious Problem.
YOUNGSTOWN. n. J.. Feb 2s-
The United States Il threatened with
a serious invasion OF IL rights as a
neutral by the warning nations OF Eu-
rope and In preserving its
with those nations IL face 10 face with
a crisis. In the opinion OF former Pres
ident William n. Taft In the solu-
uon OF thai crisis. should Il arise, no
lingo spirit must be allowed 10 pre-
vail. Mr.. Taft advised: neither pride
nor m~onentary passion should innu-
enee our Judgment
And When the President snail act"
Mr.. Taft declared. we must stand
by him TO the end. In this determina.
ton We may be sure that all will Join.
no matter What their previous views,
no matter whatt their European origin.
All viii forget their differences In self.
sacrificing loyalty 10 our common flag
and a COMMON country"
Mr.. Tafts reference To III situation
confronting the United States WIS
was made at the conclusion OF an ad-
dress delivered here today before the
Washington association OF New Jer.
sey. Quoting from n reservation IN
the treaty OF Algeciras proclaimed in
1907 and entered into by the United
States and eleven other nations. in
Guiding most Of those now at war. Mr..
Taft said:
"our interest in the present war.
therefore under the conditions that ex-
LIST. should be limited as set forth In
mis- reservation. 10 wit: Preserving
and increasing the commerce Of the
United States with b~elligerents: TO.
the protection as to life. liberty and
the prosperity of our citizens residing
or travelling In their countries and 10
abiding by our friendly offices and
efforts In bringing those countries TO
peace"
Our efforts Tor peace" be contin-
ued, have been AIDE as compIetc as
possible. for the President mas al.
ready rendered his good Offices by
way OF mediatian between the powers
and they have not been accepted.
Facing a Crisis.
In preserving the commerce OF the
United States with the b~eIligerents,
however. W are face to face with a
crisis. We are threatened with a ser
ious invasion OF our rights as neu-
trails in trading with the belligerents.
What certainly is an innovation upon
previous rules in respect 10 neutral
tChAAANANN anu tOnlTdOAIu OF WAT mas
been initiated by b~elligerents OF both
sides. The planting OF mines in the
open sea and the use OF submarine
vessels to send neutral vessels to the
bottom without inquiry as 10 their
neutrality when found in a so called
war zone OF the open sea, are all OF
them n variation from the rules OF in.
ternational law governing the action
OF the belligerents towards neutral
trade.
When their violation results In the
destruction OF the lives OF American
citizens or OF American property. A
grave issue will arise as to what the
duty OF this government il. The re-
.sponsibility OF the President and con-
gress In meeting the critical issue
thus presented in maintaining our ma
uonal rights n our national honor
on the n hand, with due regard 10
the awful consequences TO our 30
oO0.0O0 OF people OF engaging In this
horrible world war. on tn eother will
be very great. II involves on their
part a judgment so momentous In its
consequences that we should
ly pray that the necessity for IL may
be averted.
Stand by President.
H. uONtNtIt the OCCASION arises. We
can be confident hat those IN au-
thority will be actuated by the highest
patriotic motives and by the deepest
concern for our national welfare. We
must not allow our pride or momen.
tary passion to influence u judg-
ment. We must exercise the deliber-
alton that the fateful consequences IN
the loss OF Our best blood and enor-
nous waste OF treasure would neces.
sartly impose upon US. We must al.
low no lingo spirit 20 prevail. We
must abide the judgment OF those IN
whom we have entrusted the authori-
~ n when the President shall act
we n stand by him 20 the end. In
this determination we may be sure
that all will join. no matter what their
previous views. no matter what their
European origin. All will forget their
differences In self sacrificing loyalty
10 our common flag and our common
country"
This 1S3rd anniversary OF Wash
ington's birth. in view OF the present
critical condition in u international
relations. should bring to our minds
the third great achievement OF his
presidential term. the maintenance Of
a policy OF neutrality through a gen
eral European war.
The newspapers Of no other coun.
try have been as full Of details Of