TaÌˆgliches Cincinnatier volksblatt. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1885-1919, 1915-05-24

SeImany 10 yield TO our decision we
have done the same. Morally speaking,
wa cannot escape the conviction before
our own people that behind high-sound
ins phrases Of neutrality we are now
engaged in the same partisan business.
We have stopped tile traffic when We
wanted 20. We could stop it now;
but we do not want to. We sell when
we want to helps and We refuse when
we do not. For this conduct we are not
responsible to other countries; but we
cannot escape responsibility to our.
selves.
| There, are, however, other considera.
tions 10 be weighed. We have complae.
emily justified the traffic in ammuni-
tion upon the ground that IL is not
inhibited by International Law. So
much is true. But il is not true, as Ia
assumed with equal complacency, that
therefore this traffic is honorable or
even, broadly speaking, Justified. Lame
and impotcnt as international Law in
the absence of q strong neutral power
undoubtedly is, that law has advanced
far enough in the realm OF ethics to
denouncc this particular traffic. The
rule does not permit a government 70
sell arms to belligerent. 1t simply
permits a private citizen to take the
risk. But so complete is the denial OF
protection to this traffic that ammuni
tion and arms so sold are subject 10
eonfiscation and destruction at the
hands of belligerent. And TO leave
no room for doubt as to the status of
the traffic ship, the ship carrying such
ammunition and arms, although that
ship be owned by citizens Of neutral
power, is subject TO confiscation, and
in case OF necessity may be sunk.
To say that IL is unneutral to pro.
hibit the pursuit of business which
has been so characterized by the Law
oi Nations is astounding. II suggest
n befogged state Of mind or moral
fhe wish is father 10 the thought. Does |
anybody believe that such an argument
" ould have been advanced or would |
prevailed If japan had sought TO buy |
arms from US in case she had been |
engaged in war with Engiandl Would
we not then have found way to
declare that highly civilized nation -
tue bearer Of the worlds peace mandate
- could not permit her citizens to
profit by furnishing instruments OF
against her own kinsmen'
Was II unneutrAl when Germany during
cur war with Spain at our request
oyerhauled and searched n Spanish shin
Tor cargo of arms destined for Cuba
,nd to be used against us; or did we
accept her conduct as one OF those acts
,f fair consideration which one friendly
,ower may in perfect good faith extend
10 another7
Those citizens who are engaged In
his business now are protected, II IL
rue particularly II they get the cash
IA this side: as they viii so long as
hey can induce our banks TO advance
I for this purpose. But let them not
indulge the notion that their business
s promoting our country's internatio.
lal standing. They are not precisely
Ike other distinguished business men I
who in the past have ascertained how
lose they might brush the prison walls !
Without actually getting inside Of them.
'ut neither are they 10 be accepted {
S the proprietors OF wholesome
oreign commerce upon which We may
uild with confidence or with satisfac.
ion for the future.
There are other considerations still
o he dealt with--considerations whose
choes are apt TO be heard In this
ountry for generations TO come. The
itizenship OF this nation is closely 1
elated 10 the belligerents on the other I
ide. With many, that relationship Is q
ncent and correspondingly intimate.
onditions OF that kind no government 1
an or should disregard. During our
ivil War, Great Britain was several (
mes on the point OF turning against c
5. There is little doubt that but for |
ohm Bright she would have done II. s
er Government was against US. Her 4
eople were for us because they held {
avery in contempt. One of the power. q
II arguments used by Bright 70 the 4
sople---particularly TO the laboring b
that within a brief period n
indreds and thousands OF persons had n
igrated from England 10 our country S
nd that such war as Great Britains ~
oyernment contemplated would be like b
aking war upon her own people. We n
ay argue about the theory Of citizen. h
Zip as we will, but Brigh. sounded n
true note which was needed and which a
nnot be safely disregarded by US TO. n
". b
Say Of the people who protest what b
~ viii. they may at least say Of b
emselves that for half century not n
Ie momentous public question has been I,
omitted in this country which could .;
We been decided rightly without their q