The Washington times., 1915-08-16

were supplied with munitions by
both Austria-Hun and Germany.
While these latter easeA are not
analogous, as 10 the case OF the
South African war, to the Situation
Of Austria- Hungary and Germany
in the present war, they neverthe-
less clearly indicate the long-es-
tabIished practice Of the two em-
pires in the matter Of trade In war
supplies.
To All Belligerents.
In view Of the foregoing state
ments. this Government Is reluc-
tant to believe that the imperial
and royal government Will ascrioe
to the United States a lack OF i'm
partial neutrality in continuing It's
legitimate trade In all kinds OF sup
plies used to render the armed forces
Of a belligerent efficient. even though
the circumstances Of the present war
prevent Austria Hungary from OBJ
taining such supplies from the mar
kets Of the United States. which
have been and remain. so far as the
action and policy Of this Government
are concerned. open to all peiliser-
cnts alike.
But. In addition to the question
Of principle. there 10 . practical
and substantial reason why the
Government OF the United States
Has from the foundation OF the re.
public to the present tine aavo.
GATED and praeticed unrestr1cted
trade In arms and military supplies.
Right Of Purchase.
II has never been the policy Of
this country to maintain IN time
of peace . large military establish-
ment or stores Of arms aRd an
munition sufficient to reDel invs.
sion By . we'll equipped ana pow.
erfui enemy. II has desired to re-
main at peace with all nations and
to avoid any appearance OF men-
acinE such peace By the threat OF
its armies and Aavies.
In consequence Of this standing
pslicy, the UnitsA States would. In
the event Of attack by . foreign
power, be at the outset Of the war
seriously, II not fatally. embar-
rassed by the lack OF arms and
ammunition, and By the means to
produce them In sufficient Quan.
titles to supply tho reauiremcnts
Of national defense. Tho untteA
States has always depended unon
tho right ana power to purchase
arms and ammunition from neu-
tral nations In case Of foreign at
tack. This right. which II claims
for itself. Il cannot deny 70 others.
A nation whose principle and
policy It 10 to rely upon international
OBLIGATIONS and international Justice
to preserve It's political and territor-
ial integrity might become tho prey
Of an aggressive nation whose policy
and practice II 10 to increase its mill
tary strength during times OF peace
with tho design Of conquest, unless
the nation attacked can. after war
Rad beon declared, 70 into tho mar
Eets Of tho world and purchase tho
means to defend itself against tho
agEressor.
To Meet Emergency.
Tho general adoption by tho nations
of tho world Of tho theory that neu-
trail powers ought to prohibit tho
sale Of arms and ammunitions to
belligerents would compel every ma
ton to have In readiness at all times
sufficlent munitions Of war to meet
any emergency which might arise,
and TO erect and maintain establish
ments for the manufacture Of arms
and ammunition sufficient to supply
tho needs Of its military and naval
forces throughout tho progress OF a
war,
Man.tessiy the application of this
| theory would result In every ma.
tisn becoming an armed camp.
ready to resist aggression and
tempted te employ force In nssert.
tns Its rights rather than appeal
! to reason and justice for tho set-
tiement Of International disputes,
Perceiving. as it does, that the
adoption of the principle that 1t is
the duty of neutral to prohibit the
| belligerent during the progress of a
| war would inevitably give the ad-
vantage to the belligerent which
| had encouraged the manufacture OF
! munitions in time Of peace and
which had laid in vast stores of arms
and ammunition in anticipation OF
| war, the Government of the United
States is convinced that the adoption
| Of the theory would force milttarism
| on the world and werk against that
| uhiNeTsdi pedCo WhiSh 10 he uSou %
! and purpose of all nations which
exalt justice and Righteousness in
| their relations with one another
Reason Fer Policy,
The Government of the United
| states in the foregoing discussion
| OF the practical reason why II has
| advocated and practiced trade in
munitions of war. wishes to be un-
= aeystesA - speakaaS with Ne