Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-23
TAFT SAYS NATION
Is FACING CRISIS
tContinued from FIRST rage. }

Continued from First rascl
ing our commercial relations. to have
with them as little political connection
as possible. SO far we have already
formed engagements. let them be full
iiled with perfect good faith. Here let
us stop.
Europe has set OF primary inter-
ests. which to us have none or n very
remote relation. Hence she must be en-
gagged in frequent controversies. tho
causes of which are essentially foreign
10 our concern. Hence. therefore. It
must be unwisc in us 10 duplicate our
selves, by artificial ties. In the ordinary
v!cissttudes of her politics. or the ordi-
nary combinations and collisions of her
friendships, or enmities.
" Our detached and distant situation
invites and enables US TO pursue a dif-
:crcrt course.
why forero the advantages Of so
Peculiar situation Why quit our own
to stand upon foreign ground? Why,
by Interviewing our destiny with that
peace and prosperity in the tolls OF E.u-
ropcan ambition. rivalship, interest,
huinOr or caprice.
BITTERNESS REFLECTED
IN C0NFLICTING SNMPATHIES
1T seems 10 me that this is a good
text from which to preach a sermon and
draw lesson on this Washirston's
birthday. Most of the great powers o..
Europe are again AT war. We have
tnonC cur citizens those wlo look back
u y country OF one or the other beliig-
erentS which was their native land Tho
natural result has followed thar the bit
tcrncsS OF the contest is reflected in the
conflicting sEmpathics of OR people.
Tn" newspapers of no other country
have been as full OF details of the war
All of tho circumstances leading TO it,
aS our own press This has stimulated
public interest and created partisans
who attack President Wilson because
he has been faithfully following the eX-
ample set. ana the admon!tions given,
by our first President
NO better evidence OF this could be
had than that, from time to time, first
one side and then the other criticises
The administration for It's partiality, its
lame acQuicsccnCe. or its unfair pro-
tests. SO extreme have some of these
partsans become that they propose TO
organize political party and take po-
l!t!cal action, TO lie based on issues aris-
ing out OF tho present war.
4 am far from saying that an un-
wise or an unpatriotic course in our
foreign relations may not justify criti-
c!sm OF any administration, and may
not require its condemnation at the
appropriate election. but In such a case
the reasons must be found in injury
70 tho interests OF the United States,
and not in the merits OF the issues
In an European arena
NO PARTY DIVISION
On EUROPEAN LINES
II was asked IN Canada whether the
war would effect our politics so as TO
divide parties on European lines
answered unhcs!tatinEly In the mega
tive. l said that to inject European
issues into American politics had uni
formly meant the defeat OF those who
attempted IT,
Leg Station is pressed TO forbid the
sal" of arms and ammunition by our
merchants in trade TO bc!llgcrcnts My
chief objection TO giving up the lawful
and usual course Of "A neutral TO sell
arms and ammunition TO hcll!gerentS is
based on the highest national interest
We are country which Is never fully
prepared FOR war We must have the
means Of preparing as rapidly as pos
Sihl. after war Is imminent and inevi-
table. We would be most foolish 10
adopt policy OF refusing 10 sell arms
and ammunition to belligcrent powers.
which, If il was pursued against us
when We wcr" driven into war, would
cave ua helpless.
The general adoption or course
by ncutrals not to sell arms 10 the bel
lig"rents in would greatly
stimulate the tendency TO increase ar
Inaments IN time Of peace TO be ready
for war
Another criticism against the ad-