The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-16
Restriction. 1t Is Declared,
Would Embarrass U. s.
if Ever at War.
EMBARGO TALK SCORED
Strong stand Expected to End
Diplomatic Exchanges
on Subject.

gary ana Germany now KNOW OHiciaiy
that there is no hope Of the United
States disseminating or even restricting
shipments OF war supplies to the Allies
This the Teutonic Governments have
learned from the note which the State
Department has sent to Austria and
which was made public here to-day
This communication In the form OF
reply to the Vienna protest against the
business being done by Americans In
war munitions sets forth the attitude
OF this Government clearly and firmly
Austria is notified fatty that this Cow
ernment will not even consider acceding
to her request.
SO strong is the stand taken by the
Washington Government that this note
not only will probably end the diplo-
matte exchanges on the subject. but will
operate as distinct check upon the
sentiment developing in this country In
favor Of an embargo.
While President Wilson In this note.
as in all others to European Govern
ments on the war issues. takes his stand
firmly upon the principles involved and
upon the usage OF nations. he introduces
another feature which by many is re-
rardcd as the most striking In the note.
The President bases his refusal to con-
slider the Austrian suggestion on the
practical grounds OF its effect upon the
ability of the United States to meet a
foe in the event of war.
This Government tells Austria that
1t has been the policy of the United
States from the founding OF the repub-
lie not TO maintain In time OF peace q
large military establishment or stores
Of arms and ammunition that the United
States has In fact always depended upon
the right and power to purchase arms
and ammunition from neutral nations
In case of foreign attack.
plan Would Embarrass 4. =.
In citing the domestic policy against
miltarsm the American note makes
this remarkably frank acknowledge
meut:
"In consequence Of this standing
policy the United states would In the
event 0f attack by II foreign Power he.
at the outset Of the war seriously. II not
fatally. EN- harrassrd by the lack OF arms
and ammunition and ny the means To
produce them In sufficient quantities 10
supply the requirements of national de.
fence"
The statement to one OF the large
European Powers that the United States
might be fatally" embarrassed at the
outset of war caused more of stir In
Washington tnau any other feature Of
the note.
The President makes It clear to Aus.
trIa, and through her TO Germany, that
to accept the suggestion that neutral
ought TO prohibit the sale OF arms and
ammunition to bellgerents not only
would be repudiating the policy by which
would be compelling every nation, In
Guiding the United States to have In
readiness at all times sufficient muni-
tions OF war to enable it to cope with
"A more aggressive and a better prepared
enemy. In other wc-!s. the acceptance
Of the Teutonic proposals would be to
turn the world into an armed camp
promote militarism and retard the
movement for universal peace.
In advancing this argument. the Pres
ident clearly was aiming at the em-
barge movement In this country as
much as he was at the proposals made
10y Austria and Germany. lie had
seized the opportunity offered by the re.
ply to Austria to check the movement
that is gaining headway in the South In
favor of an embargo on war munitions
as an act of reprisal against Great
Britain.
Biow at Embargo Agitation.
The embargo movement has had the
support of some Of the peace societies
and the belief here tonight is that the
note to Austria. in meeting them on
their own ground, has dealt a blow from
which 1t will be difficult for them TO
recover. At the same time the Ad-
ministratiou, II Is contended has shown
ceverness In putting forth an argument
which is bound TO find favor even In
he South, by suggesting the defence
lcssness of the United States and her
dependence upon other nations for an
adequate supply OF arms and ammuni-
tion the State Department has raised
n patriotic issue which cannot well be
ignored
Perhaps the most effective statements
IN the American note relate to the past
records of Germany and Austria In the
sale of war munitions to belligerents
The United States shows that both
Germany and Austria sold munitions to
Great Britain during the Boer uprising
under conditions which are similar to
those against which the Teutonic allies
are now protesting. Great Britain at
that time was blockadng South Africa,
just as England is to-day blockading
Germany Yet Germany and Austria
sold war supplies to Great Britain, and
the United States sent with its note an
these shipments
The United States points out slgnifi-
cantly to Austria that II this record
were not standing the royal Government
might with greater consistency and
greater force urge its present condi-
tions"
The United states clearly gives Aus
tria to understand that II would not
welcome any further attempt to tell
this Government what II ought to do in
regard to an embargo Referring to the
fact that this was matter for the
United States alone TO decide, Secretary
Lansing says:
"The imperial and royal Government
cannot but perceive that a complaint OF
this nature would invite just rebuke."
tFuil text " the note will be found on
Page 81