The Detroit times., 1915-08-16
NO EMBARGO,
II. S. REPLY
TO AUSTRIA

(Ce.tinseA frsa Pass Ose.)
\ 70 the statement OF the Imperial and
royal g9vernmeni In regard ,,, to TN, the
from the United states to the coun-
tries at war with Austria-Hungary
| and Germany. The government oil
the United States notes with salts
psrial and royal government OF the
undoubted fact that its attitude with
regard 10 the expectation OF arms
and ammunition from the United
to maintain the strIctest neutrality
and to conform to the letter Of the
| provisions Of International treaties.
| but 10 surprised to md the imperial
the sne oSssrvsnss Of Il. strict erinci.
pies Of the law under the conditions
| which have developed In the present
war 10 insufficient. and asserting that
this government should 20 beyond
such traffic by neutrals and adopt
measures TO maintain an attitude OF
strict parity with respect TO both
belligerent parties.
TO this assertion Of an obligation
TO change or modify the rules OF In
ternational usage on account OF spe-
cial condition.. the government 81
the United States cannot accede. The
sort unknown to the International
practice Of the past. would impose
upon every neutral nation q duty TO
cit In Judgment on the progress OF z
w:r and 70 Fsst.ics ., y: co%msf rnss
naval successes prevented the neu-
trails from trade with the enemy. :.
The contention OF the imperial
and royal :ovsrnmea. .pPesrs to Se
iigsrent by its superiority on the
trail powsrs by the establishment OF
. system Of n-intercourse with the
eminent combines is comments 10
arms and ammunition. hut. II the
principle for which IL contends -
sound. IL shouIt apply with equal
force g Al articles Of s1nsr a.. S,x,
seas might posseas an ample supply
OF arms and ammunition. but be In
want Of food and clothing. On the
novel principle that saS: .,,cna a !.
Be- obligated 70 place an embargo on
such articles, because one Of the bel
1iGerents could not obtain them
through commercial intercourse
But. II this principle. 20 strongly
urged by the imperial and royal gov
srnment. should be admitted TO OBJ
tain by reason of superiority OF a
belligsrent ~ sea. ought u not TO cp-
psrior on land! Applying this theory
% equalization. . beliigerent who
lacks the necessary munitions TO
contend successfully on land ought
be rss%1:'sd iS purehss :;,xs snsM
with an abundance OF war stores or
with the power to produce them
should be debarred from such traffic,
"Manifestly the idea Of strict neu-.
and royal government would Involve
8 neutral nation In q mass of per-
plexities which would obseure the
whole field Of international obliga-
deprive all commerce and industry Of
legitimate fields Of enterprise. al
ready heavily burdened by the un-
avoidabie restrictions OF war.
In this connection II Is pertinent
perial and royal government TO the
fact that Austria Hungary and Ger
many, particularly the latter. have
during tho years preceding the pres
emit European war produced a surplus
OF arms and ammunition which they
sold throughout the world and espcci-
ally to beiiigerents. Never during
that period did either Of them sug-
ssst or apply the principle now ad;
government.
Turing the Boer war between
/ Great Britain and the South African
repubiica, the patrol Of the coasts OF
neighborins neutral colonies by Brit.
ammunitions reaching the Transvaal
| or the Orange Free States. These re-
publics were In a situation almost
Identical in that respect wherein Aus
ltria- Hungary and Germany ind them.
selves at the present In spite Of the
commercial Isolation OF one belliger.
emit. Germany sold TO Great Britain
the other belligerent. hundreds o.
Thousands OF kilos OF explosives. gun
powder. cartridges. shot and weapons
and IL In known that Austria Hun
gary also sold similar munitions q
the same purchaser. though In small
Or quantities.. "a table Of the saIe'
u appended).
The principle Of neutrality invoiv
ed was the same. II ct that tim,
Austria Hungary and her present all,
had refused TO sell arms and ammu
milton 20 Great Britain on the Grouns
4 that to do 30 would violate the spiri
royal government might with con
sistency ana greater force urge III
present contention.
IT might be further pointed ou
, Quantities OF arms and militas,
| stores were furnished 70 Russia b,
PYuesian manufacturers. that durfn(
the recent war between Turkey an,
Italy, ~ this government IL advised
arms and ammunition were Furnished
|, TO the Ottoman government By Ger
many: and that during the Baika,
wars the bslliGerents were supplied
. with munitions by both Austria an,
Germany. While these latter case
Are not anaioyous. az is the case o
, the South African war. to the situa
tion of Austria Hungary and Ger
many In the present war. they yer,
clearly indicate the long establishes
practicsa OF tho two empires Of trad
In war supplies.
I'm view OF the foregoing state
ments this government 10 reluctan
20 believe that the imperial and roya
government will ascribs to the Unit
"a states Z lack Of impartial neutral
ity u ccnsinuing its legitimate trad
IN All kinds Of supplies used TO ron
der the armed forces Of a beiiigersn
efficient. even though the circum
stances Of the present war proven
Austria-Hpngary from obtaining sucl
epppiies from the markets OF tn
I United 9tatea which have been an,
vsnair. % far a. the action and pol
I ~ 81 ttis eovoYnmsnf are concern
- epsq 70 All beiligerents alike.
.Dvt IN addition TO the question o
pelaciple there 10 . practical and sub
eeonttol reason Why the government
- loe Cnited states has from its o.
IWVueo0eot ~ q republio 20 the pres
II eat time advocated and practioed un.
1 eeeey!efed trafe in arms and military
" mppi!cs. IL has Asver been the policy
N o. thie country 90 maintain in time
81 - $3.50 \ 1a0Ra en9l6e - s~Ss f.SsSh