Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-12-30
RECOGNITION OF RIGHTS OF NEUTRAIS PEACE MOVE

neutral countries This is relic of the extreme mlitarsm
ton having all the civilized legitimacy and the sane
ton of international law The world to-day tacity recog
nzes the right of begerent warshp to stop the craft or
any other nation for the purpose of making that the
interests of the nation concerned not mpereda pro-
ceeng no sel-respecng nation would tolerate for moment
in time of peace
On the other hand recognize the fact that the
somewhat arbitrary rights long exercised by as
part of the of civilized warfare have broad founda
ton in the right of self defence In the case of individuals
we regard as legitimate and allowable certain extreme meas
ues even to the taking of human e that under ordinary
clned to grant large degree of immunity to one shown TO
be simply exercising the right of self defence
1t to be noted however that this immunity does not
extend to the preparation under the plea of self Defence or
abuses or outrages upon innocent parties
One of the results of the European already
manifest growing that the rights of neurals
are superior to those of begerents That is the Logical
European encroachment on our rights That is the goal
ward which American public opinion is plainly striving
Right here the inspiring thought that IN the et
fort establish superior rights of neutras through
gnzed concerted action the part of all neutral countries
ton of universal peace for ali hope The greater
the restrictions placed operations by
ton of by any This is fully in accord with
proposition stated in other issues of this that while
in should not lose opportunity To discover
of national defence along the paths of peace.
being held in Washington meets in time poptous for great
possibilities, iii the directions named well others The
the promotion of mutual interests and the safeguarding of
naturally appeals to the vigorous imagination. The
is beyond comprehension though it might involve the
possible ENHANCEMENT Of this nation the troubles of
South American neighbours
1t transpres that while William J. Bryan still
tay of state the governing board of the union
considered concerted action result of the persistent
croachment of Great Britain neutral rights In order to
gain protection against these anoyances the minister from
Ecuador presented resolution that union of American dip
omas be convoked to obtain declaration from the belger
ens recognizing the bordering the coast line of
the Americas neutral and that these waters be
wholly protected from all operations OF war which might dam
neutral The resolution also declared that the
Of 1T of
Secretary Bryan then president of the governing board
of the Pan American observed that since the PROPOSE
ton would result indirectly in favong of the beger
e %o to adt 1 Rvsn e oas6e %
It also leaks out at the PanAmerican congress that
after the German government declared the blockade of
France and Great Britain by of the submarine and had
imposed huge risks on neutral commerce of
Chile deemed necessary revive the idea union to
include the neutras OF not only but also OF Europe
tration flatly turned down this proposition also.
An attractive proposition is made by Dr. Alexandra
delegate Chile Rca and Ecuador the present
PanAmerican congress- Dr. Alvarez would have great
neutral league established permanently for the sake of
srctng the of warlke operations and protecting the
rights of neurals we'll of facilitating after
avodabe war has been fought.
That certainly is allurng prospect and while as at
present Formulated not to be practical especial
y at this jcture would seem to be pregnant with the
possibilities of expanding world peace
DR.. Alvarezs proposition is that rupture of
negotiations between nations is declared all the neutrals
shall send representatives to assembly commission
at The Hague other place.
He provides that the first duty of such commission shall
be to offer its services mediator to prevent stop the
conflict AS hostiltes begin the commission of
trails shall decree the list of articles which should be declared
contraband of and shall regulate, effect the cond
tons of commerce. Of the neuras with the beigerents The
would thus be taken cut of the hands Of begerents
The commission will NAME moreover, a sub-commisson
to follow the armies of the bgerents to the actions
of those armies particularly reference to prisoners camps
the Red Cross society and non-combatants
Their report shall be made to the commission of neutra
which shall then make demands if necessary the beig
erent who has offended international law
The commission, he proposes will also inter-
mediary for the negotiations for peace
A strong effect will unquestionaby be made to
the adoption of such plan this during the present
PanAercan congress- The fact that South American dele
gates generally said to feel that the United States had
insisted neutral rights and had Joined other neutras in
forming league the might be points to
newal of the proposition in form
The possible objection to this proposition is that the
ending of the year might have left Germany
of the situation and people would be led to
oppose scheme that would work to the advantage
OF nation.
The experiences of the whole world, including all
in connection with the European ought to
the for of concerted movement to facilitate
peace we'll the safeguarding of the rights of
neuras superior to those of beigerents and believe