The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-05-12
ROOSEVELT WOULD
CUT OFF GERMANY
Proposes That All Commerce Between
the Kaiser's Land and the United
States Be Forbidden as Result
of GermanY's Acts.
of Germany's Acts.

Syracuse, N. Y. May l2.--Former
President Theodore Roosevelt last night
made plea for prompt action by the
| United States on account OF the Lusi-
tania disaster, while commenting on
President Wilson's speech of Monday
night to gathering of naturalized
Americans in Philadelphia. Col Roose-
welt was particularly interested in that
part of the presidents speech in which
| the latter referred to "such a thing as
a man being too proud to fight" and "a
nation being SO right that it does not
need to convince Others by force that
| it is right"
81 think that China is entitled to draw
all the comfort she can from this state
ment," said Col. Roosevelt, sand it would
be well for the United States to ponder
seriously what the effect upon China has
been OF managing her foreign affairs dur
ing the last fifteen years on the theory
thus enunciated.
II the United States is satisfied with
occupation some time in the future the
precise international position that Chi
ma now occupies then the United States
can afford to act on this theory. But it
can not act on this theory il it desires
to retain or regain the position won for
1t under Washington and the men who
in the days of Abraham Lincoln wore
the blue under Grant and the gray under
Lee.
Il very earnestly hope that we will
act promptly. The proper time for DELHI
GRAFTON was prior to sending the mes
sage that our government would hold
Germany to strict accountability if it
did the things which it has now actual
ly done.
THE $50 babies drowned on the Lusi- |
tania, the hundreds of women drowned |
with them-scores Of these women and
children being Americsns--and she |
American ship, the Gulhight. which was
torpedoed, offer an eloquent commentary
on the actual working of the theory that
force is not necessary to assert rights
and that a policy of blood and iron can
with efficacy be met with a policy of
blood and water.
Il see it stated in the dispatches from
Washington that Germany now offers TO
stop the practice of murder on the high
seas committed in violation of the neu-
raj rights she is pledged to preserve,
we will now abandon further neutral
lights, which by her treaty, she has
'olemnly pledged to see that we exer-
Use without molestation.
Such proposal is not even entitled
% an answer. The manufacture and
hipment of arms and ammunition TO
my belligerent is moral or immoral &C.
ording to the use TO which the arms and
munitions are to be put, II they are to
Nc used to prevent the redress OF hide
'us wrongs inflicted on Belgium, then
{ is immoral TO ship them. II they are
o be be used for the redress of those
wrongs and the restoration of Belgium
o her deeply wronged and unoffending ,
eople, then it is eminently moral 10 (,
end them.
without twenty-four hours delay F.,
his country should and could take effee- /,
i've action by declaring that in view
{ Germany's murderous offenses against
he rights of neutrals all commerce with
ermany shall be forthwith forbidden
nd all commerce of every kind permit :
I'd and encouraged with France, England :
nd the rest OF the civilized world
This would not be a declaration OF '
ar. Ii would merely prevent munitions
war being sent to power which by
5 conduct has shown willingness 10 use
for the slaughter OF unoffend. =
Y men, women and children.
II do not believe that the firm asser- .
on Of our rights mean war, but il is :
ell to remember there are things worse u
IAN war.
let rs as nation understand that y
,aee is of worth only when it is the y
,ndmsiden of international righteous :
'ss and Of national selfrespect." !, =