The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-01-02
BY Roger W. eabson in N. v. Sun.

6y Roger w. 6abson in NJ. Y. Sun.
With a neutral country on one side
Of her, many believe that Germany
might have won the war before this;
but, between two fires, the best OBJ
servers fail to see how she can do
more than hold her own. These con.
ditions make it all the more likely
that ultimate peace terms may be
brought about by the neutral nations
than by the belligerents.
The industries, commerce and
finances of the entire world will soon
become SO involved that the neutral
nations, seeing that the belligerents
are making no Roadway, will arise
In their wrath and demand peace
This has often been illustrated at
the time of great industrial strikes.
The public will stand only about so
much Inconvenience. They finally
reach a point where, If the parties
to the controversy will not get to.
gether of themselves, they, the PEG.
pie, will arise and take matters into
their own hands.
In view of the fact that matters in
Europe remain practically as they
were a week ago, shall take this
opportunity of again referring to the
neutrality commission of the Pan.
American Union, which held its first
meeting the past week.
1t Is rumored that some very Wig.
orous remarks were made at this meet
ing. The attitude of our State De-
partment has not yet been fully deter
mined, but some of the South Amer
lean ambassadors are very firm in
their belief that they have got hold
of big idea. DR.. Federico Alfonzo
Pezet, minister from Peru, very clear.
ly expressed his ideas on the subject
and demanded that the two Americas
should unite and insist on the neu-
tralizatfon Of the seas, cables and
other international channels. It is
reported that DR.. Dominica da Cana,
ambassador from Brazil, took a more
conservative attitude, while DR.. Romu-
10 S. Naon, ambassador from Argen-
tina, took a middle ground.
There was unanimous feeling,
however, among all these commission
ers that not only is some such action
necessary to protect our industries
and commerce during the remainder
Of the war;. but that this is the most
practical way Of approaching the ma
lions in order to lead up to terms of
peace. The opinion is constantly grow
ing that permanent peace cannot be
brought about by permitting either
side to have complete victory. Most
OF these ambassadors recognize that
this is trade. war being fought over
the control Of tho seas, and naturally
ask, "Why should the seas be under
the control Of any one Power?" In
fact an ambassador in Washington
said to me:
Establish Fifteen-Mite Limit.
LET us give. to every nation the
absolute control, of: the waters within
fifteen miles of. it's coast; but let us
ask each nation: to. keep its battle
ships within this flfteemmiIe area and
out of the rest. of. the. ocean. which
should be neutralized. Il any nation
desires to send its: battleshfps across
this neutral stretch, such ships should
be accompanied by an international
pilot who will represent the interests
of all nations. BY such an arrange
ment the foreign commerce Of all na-
tions would be under the Joint pro-
lection of all neutral nations in this
neutrality area, even including the
commerce of nations at war;"
This would mean that the great Ger.
man ships now lying idle in neutral
ports would be permitted again to
sail the seas so long as they keep
more than fifteen miles from the coun-
tries with which they are at wxr and
carry no armament. If German mer.
chant ship should GO within fifteen
miles of the English, French or Rus.
sian shore it would he liable to cap
ture; but otherwise 1t would be under
the Joint protection of the neutral
Powers. On, the. other hand, the in
creasing of. the present so-called
limit to- fifteen miles and
the disarmament Of the German mer-
chant service should afford ample pro-
lection to. England and her allies.
This neutrality commission has
three Objects: First, to protect the
interests of neutrals during the re-
Of this; war; second, to out
line plan which may result in bring
ing this; war to an end, and third, to
suggest some sort of commercial ALI
ance which may make for permanent
peace and render unnecessary repe.
tition Of such terrible conflict as ex.
lists tnday. OF these last two pur.
poses 1 will treat in later articles, but
do wish to say a word relative to
the first, namely, the restoration of
the: commerce of neutrals during the
remainder of this war.
Mare than a million people in this
country are idle today on account of
the European war. About one-tenth