The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-06-06
PEOPLES FORUM.
On Neutrality.
On Nc
Editor virginian:


Editor virginian:
Sir,--In view of the tense relation
existing between this country and
Germany, Ii appears to the writer thai
we are to some extent. at least, follow
ing the cause of Italy. In that we are
taking advantage of fortuitous cir.
cumstances in exacting our demands
The Presidents recent note seems to
have met hearty response from both
people ana press, so far as appear
ances go. There i apparently thorough
accord, the administration being sup
ported by all parties as well as the
religious organizations. Should we be
so unfortunate as to be embroiled, we
would be a unit.
The writer believes that appear
ances are somewhat deceptive in the
present situation: that there Is a res
pectable minority. not only Teutonic,
but native born" of English ancestry,
II you please those not traitors to our
Fatherland, but with clear sense of
justice and right that must prevail.
willing to await results on such a
basis. He believes there is an under
current not much in evidence at pres
ent. but feeling it's way to the sur
face amid all the clamor for our
rights as neutrals The writer was
memory" that when he came up with
an important but vexed question for
settlement that he calmly and quietly
examine il on one side and then turn
1t over and as carefully examine the
other side before deciding. This will
give the proper focus or angle with
"a clearer view and UNDERSTANDING.
There Is really little danger at pres
ent of our entering into open HOSTILE
ties with Germany. Diplomacy, no
doubt, will smooth the rough edges
that are just now irritating each ma
ton. 1t would be the part of wisdom
having looked at this very serious
matter from one side to turn 1t over
and view 1t from the other or Ger
man side. Imagine. IL you please. that
our country Is in this awful conflict,
confronted on all sides by powerful
and warlike nations with men and re-
sources vastly superior. Their navy
in full control of the sea, ours USE
less and idle by virtue of their pre-
ponderating strength as to ships and
guns. We are making the best use
of our resources possible. Our an
tagonists finding the task of conquer
ing us by what Is known as civilized
warfare. have resorted to starving us
out, and our wives and daughters, not
10 MENTION OlhSIs, Ill 10 bS iHG VIC
Tins OF starvation Starvation and
famine the weaponsi When we at
tempt to protect our homes and fire.
sides from such inhuman and uncivi-
lized warfare by the use of under
sea craft, practically the only means
of successful defense, we are met with
a demand which amounts almost TO
an ultimatum by neutral nation to
desist at once under covert threat
that future destruction of property
and lives of theirs. although In an an
tasonist's ship carrying In its cargo
both soldiers and munitions OF war.
The feeble protest against the ship
ment of foodstuffs has been practical
| ly abandoned. The factories and ar
senals of this neutral nation, as is
well known. are taxed to their utmost
capacity to supply the war material,
those death dealing weapons of des-
truction; and this neutral is cognizant
of all that is going on. The very
sinews of war are supplied openly and
knowingly, and are being utilized for
our subjugation. We had as we'll
face this question In its proper light.
Carthage must not be destroyed that
Rome may be saved. We must have
/ a square deal.
F. W. WOODWARD.
West Point Va.