TaÌˆgliche Omaha tribuÌˆne. [volume] (Omaha, Nebr.) 1912-1926, 1915-03-12

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.tll 0Hr recommendation Cor peace
treaties Ate we pfepaffd % have that
traffic e0utNnuef
With respect Do this Continent. ana
more especially with respect to Mtx-
ltn Cons fe8e "a few years ago adopt
ed q RESOLUTIONS which authorized The
President I'd The United States to pre-.
vent ME expectation % arms 90 MAJ
tions on this Continent. That author
ity was used, and arms were not im-
ported iQF a time, III wp are really
az solicitous about peace on the other
side OF the ocean as We appear
90 be, what Ia there 20 prevent rs
from extending that resolution That
IN my opinion, is the weight OF the
argument against the sale nt arms. Ii
is true that the use OF the Presidents
authority is pursuance OF that resolu-
ton has somewhat obscured our po-
sition. We did afterwards allow the
export OF arms and ammunition to
help a particular side in the Mexican
controversy; and we did hinder a
German ship from delivering arms
and ammunition at a particular point
to the other side. But that cireum-
stance might be used TO show the
danger OF playing fayorites, and to
a%eeentuate the necessity for extreme
circumspection in our attitude now.
In any event this much is true. Our
position as a promoter OF peace will
not be judged by high-sounding
treaties, platforms and political
speeches, but by the promptness with
which we cast our moral declaration
with legislative form.
Again, we have a shipping bill,
presents the question whether
we have the right to buy merchant
men that are interned in our harbors.
Personally, | am opposed to this bill
because | should regret to have a
seeming emergency used as the in
ducement for the adoption Of a poll
policy which, to my mind, con-
~stitutes a radical departure from ac-
ceptcd principle, and which invites
the first step towards government
ownership Of large enterprises. But
the further doubt has been suggested,
and is now urged, that we might
give offense to one OF the belliger-
ents if we bought such ships. | cam
not follow that argument. If we have
a right to sell ammunition to Eng
Nya VFas1Ef I9rfa n rich a. E4t.r
from Germany. / am told,
and read in the press, that it has been
officially said that no objection is
made to the purchase by US Of Ger
man ships, provided those ships are
Used in South American Commerce.
That argument | cannot follow. We
either have a right to buy those
or we have not; and it must not
be left to any foreign country to say
how we shall employ those ships, or
we shall carry our commerce.
The uncertainty of the objection to
such a purchase is well illustrated by
he varying grounds that have been
assigned. Originally it was said that
Great Britain might take exception
o the fact that a purchase Of German
by us would result in a material
monetary support to her enemy. Now
are told that these informed ships
night be converted into armed men
Probably these objections
ire readily disposed of. In the first
Instance, the validity of a purchase for
ash from Germany must depend en-
upon the character OF the sub
ect purchased. So far as the ships
he subject Of the purchase-are con-
they are not armed at the
present time, but are merchantmen
and simple; and, further, they
ire merchantmen upon whom we
lave, in the absence Of a merchant
marine Of our own, depended in a
cry large as II carriers, in
he pursuit Of our legitimate business
With foreign countries.
The only argument. therefore,
in my opinion, Is deserving Of
attention, is the one that these
hips in their present condition are
ubiect to capture by the allies; and
# this question the utmost that can
c said il that 1t il undetermined. Ac-
it as such, it Is for US to de-
ide whether it is our purpose to
'ernit every doubtful question in
whose answer we are interested, to
e settled for us by another power, in
ccordance with the dictates Of her
necessities. Or whether we
for ourselves enquire into the
ule Of reason of the particular case,
nd, having reached our own conclu-
;on Mill etaud far our Jaefs;a. XATLo4