Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1915-04-01
RIGHTS THAT WE MUST MAINTAIN

Events, rather than diplomatic notesp protesting friendship and pre-
scrhng unheard-of rules of blockade, will have to determine the Amer
lean position relative to the dangers that confront u commerce in the
European a zone, says the New York World.
We have been warned away from the British Islands by Germany,
which procaiming n o true blockade, has explained that its submarines
may accidentally sink II ships or cargoes.
We have been warned away from Germany, Holland and the Scandi-
navian states by Great Britain and France which, proclaining n o re
blockade, are kind enough to "a that while they intend to hold up u
ships and cargoes, they will not, in the case of on-contrabrand goods,
either sink or conhscate them.
The three principal beligerents are thus on RECORD as to their II
tentons. We must now await their acts.
Meantime it is folly to threaten embargoes, non-intercourse or war.
Nothing has happened as yet to justify any of these courses. An m
barge would indeed be damaging to Great Britain and France, tut It
would be ruinous to ourselves. War is OF to be entered upon except
in the presence OF the gravest provocahon and after every honorable
method OF gaining reparaion is exhausted.
In any protest that we may offer, it will be well to make it very
plain that injury inflicted upon III people by the novel methods OF ar
fare o threatened lis not to be computed in dollars and ents according
to the within OF British, French or German prize courts. If there is to
be a price-mark upon afflicted United States commerce, the tag will be
prepared here and not in London or Paris or Berlin.
The books that We open today will be the books that will determine
many a controversy some years hence. In them W shall enter prin-
ciples as well as figures. What the nations now at a compel us to
write IN those books is likely to prove or troublesome to hen than
to anybody else. The outcome is in their hands exclusively.
A sudden change in the fortunes OF war would give these unwarranted
DEGREES of desperate nations a foolish appearance. IT Germanys greaS
fleet should chance to win a notable victory and gain the high as the
British government would reuact every word of them. 1t is easier to
starve Britain thar !. is to starve Germany. Recognition OF TINS tact
in the past made Great Britain a powerful. supporter OF the principle at
international law that foodstufs consigned to acknowledgements are Y
empt from seizure. A great German naval victory would at once restore
respect for the law of nations nGreat Britain. What is to restore 1t n
Germany?
The pretense maintained in London that the reversal Of the historic
British position is justified by GermanyS Submarine warfare is har lily
deserving of notice. Germany has agreed to abandon its undersea ia
aoerv e Ire enemies will respec international law in the matter Of
bockades and foodstufs. The character of the British and French
responses does not justify the accidental sinking of American ships or
cargoes. 1t does leave Germany free TO act in the deadiest way possible
against its foes. Germany needs n ley invitation to fight but it can
not afford to have any accidents" in which Americans will appear in
the casualty lists.
In this conflict, already carried beyond the bounds of law and treason,
W e are or than innocent byaanders. We also have rights and in
respects w re trustees OF the rights OF civilization even of the true
rights of the belfgerents themselves On the manner in which we shall
discharge our plain duty to maintain those rights a great deal will de
pend, and hereafter