Valdez daily prospector., 1915-03-06
SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1915.
STRAINED RELATIONS"

The notification that our relations with he German government are strained" need cause no surprise Strained relations naturally follow dis putes about international questions. The consoling thing is the fact that as far as we are concerned these strained relations" indicate no na tional hostility-not even d general feeling of resentment.
 It is safe to say, however, that none of the numerous cases of strained re- lations which have occurred in our history have found us more clearly within the letter as well as the spirit of the law of nations. Some of them have unquestionably found us in a much more assailable position from the standpoint of international law.
 For instance, the differences which threatened to arise between this country and France as a result of the Maximilian regime in Mexico, and be- tween this country and England as consequence of President Cleve- lands Venezuela message, both came from our adherence to a doctrine which had not then been recognized as a part of the law of nations, and is not fully so recognized now.
 Going back to still earlier years of our history, the differences with France and England arose before cer- tain matters of international law were as clear as they are now. In those days the principle that blockade to be binding must be effective had not been established. In those days there was apparently even a color of argument for the impressment of a nations seamen from neutral ships, outrageous as it seems and then seemed to us.
 In the present case there can be no question of the strict technical sound ness of our position. The fact that the northern neutral nations are adopting the form of our protes+ in toto shows plainly enough that the issues there raised are not questions of geography, sympathy or nationality. They are nothing more than asser- tions of recognized neutral rights which cannot be affected by the spec ial circumstances of any belligerent.
 Nor is there anything in the idea that in order to secure respect for rights of life and property from one nation we may rightfully be asked to force another nation to adopt our view of the international rules gov erning certain species of property. Our rights as against each and every belligerent are complete and are in no way related.
 We might conceivably be willing to submit to the regular procedure of a prize court, which follows the rules of international law and whose decis- ions are of high authority, and ob- ject seriously to the summary proceed ure of a torpedo, with the possibility of injuries to life more difficult to re- dress. Our right to make such cleo tion is entirely clear
 However, it is growing plainer each day that belligerents are prone more and more to appeal to the principle of national necessity" as the su lpreme law and to relegate the juristic arguments to the background. In brief, it is condition and not a atheory of law that confronts the pres Eident in his dealing with the two sgreat antagonists.
 It is this which complicates the ssituation. And it is this which makes sthe duty of loyal Americans to give fheir president their sympathy and Support in his efforts to steer our country safely and honorably through growing difficulties not of It's mak- Ing. May his diplomacy be as sue fessful in relieving strained relations Is his legal arguments are unasasil. kble.-Ex.