The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-09-17
United States Would Be Under
Britain's Heel.
Danger in Rupture With Teu-
tonic Allies.
HANNIS TAYLOR GIVES VIEWS
Authority on International Law
Wants America Neutral.
To Enter Conflict Would JeO-
pardize Our Commerce.

Washington, Sept. 19.-Hannis
Taylor, former minister to Spain and
noted authority on international law,
when requested 10 express his views
as to the gravity of the present Euro
pean diplomatic situation, said:
1.-The situation is acute not by rea-
son of the intrinsic difficulties in
herent in pending problems, but by
reason of the inflammable environ
ment by which they are surrounded.
"At this moment one of the parties
to the world war is attempting to
negotiate in this country a tremen-
dous loan. with the proceeds of which
vast purchases of munitions of war
are to be paid for. According TO the
American view of international law
such a loan and such an application
of its proceeds are legitimate or at
least defensible-
The Other Side.
"On the other hand Austria con-
tends that such transactions really
violate our neutrality by making this
country the great financial and mill
tary base of one of the belligerents.
I'm the presence of such a conflict
of views it has become necessary. to
insist upon the recall of the Austrian
ambassador and to settle at the same
moment a delicate question with Ger
many growing out of the loss of a few
American lives by the sinking of the
British ship Arabic.
Count Bernstorff firmly insists
that his recent representation to the
secretary of state as to the modlfica-
ton of Germany's submarine warfare
have not been at all diScred1ted by
the note in the case of the Arabic,
which proposes to submit question
of facts to arbitration. That note
AYERS that the commander of the sub
marine was not allowed to attack the
Arabic without warning and without
saving the lives of the passengers
unless the ship attempts to escape or
to offer resistance.
''If we agree to arbitrate, of course
Germany can contend before the court
that her commander had a right to
conclude from attendant circum-
stances that the Arabic planned
violent attack on the submarine
ION the other hand we can deny
that he had the right to draw any
such conclusions and that will make
the issue. If we accept Germany's
proposal to arbitrate, the crisis Will
pass. / believe without further diff
Guilty even if we continue to insist
upon the recall of DIR. Dumba. If we
reject it and then sever our diplomatic
relations with Germany, coupled with
the partial severance with Austria
Hungary, war. I far. will be the
necessary consequence.
Under Britain's Heel.
$50 soon as diplomatic relations are !
severed Germany will of course in
stantly instruct every German subma- /
rine captain to sink every ship he can |
find belonging to a belligerent. The |
moment that point is reached state /
of war will follow with the central |
Kingdoms, and then Great Britain as
mistress of the seas will hold our /
commerce absolutely in htf power, be
cause We will then have no competi- |
tors to play against her
We will then be forced to make /
great loans to her without security and /
to permit our cotton to be treated as
contraband without protest. And last |
and worst of all. if such consequences
result. war will have been declared |
without the question having been sub
mitted in any form to the American
congress as the constitution provides"