The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-09-25
By Sir Gilbert Parker, M. P.

VIAh Is the supreme test OF the qualities
Nv Of a nation. and II will be admitted
by independent opinion in neutral
countries that the people OF Great Britain have
stood the test well. Peace has its great tests.
also. and the country that stands outside the
ring of fighters is tested almost as searchingly
as any bellgerent country
The belligerent country has not to weigh its
every action with exquisite nicely. because war
gives wide liberty. though II still must walk
with guarded footsteps where neutral nations
are concerned; IL must have strict regard for
their rights under the rules OF international
law and the long presidents of naval warfare
The neutral country. however. which stands.
as II were. between the combatants. holding the
balance level. has a task that tests its states
manship and the character Of its people as Il ia
never tested in ordinary peace times, or in
ordinary war times. In this extraordinary war
the American Government and American peo-
pie have been supremely tested and they have
stood the test nobly. The United States-the
chief OF all the neutral nations--has a gravely
important part to play both from the moral
ana rom what may be called the political side.
-Four OF the greatest nations of the world are
at war. and It is natural that each of the two
sets OF belligerents wish for the moral support
OF ninety millions Of people. whose power
through their Government TO affect the ulti-
mate result OF the war by their influence with
other neutral countries. cannot be over-esti.
mated. Official bias i'm dealing with questions
such as contraband, purchase OF ships block
ade and so on. toward either combatant-a
preference which would be a variation from the
strict rules OF neutrality from the mercantile
side, Affecting supplies OF all kinds-would
nave as serious an effect upon the ultimate
decision OF the war as active participation.
II must be said that in a position OF i'm
mense delicacy, the United States has inter
preted her official neutrality with an unim-
peachabe fidelity TO long established rules
The position Is not new one. Every great
neutral nation in turn has had to face the same
delicate and intricate problems in time of war
and every Government one time or another has
been attacked by the people OF it's own country
as well as by the belligerents for not departing
from strict neutrality to meet a by no means
strictly controlled public sentiment
Never, however. since the rules controlling
the conduct OF nations In time OF war have
taken form. either by precedent or by the writ.
ten rule OF the Declaration OF Paris has any
neutral nation had TO face the difficulties at
tached to its neutrality such have faced the
United States since August. 1914 She has had
10 make protest. 10 seek explanation. OF
acts OF naval warfare OF this country in which
there we're certainly elements OF anxiety for
our Foreign Ofice and the Government: but
whether II was the question OF the Dacia and
the purchase OF ships. OF the Wilhelmina and
contraband. or the new blockade. which differed
from other blockades OF the past In that Il was
wider in area and yet less severe upon neutrals.
temperatures. a courtesy and a moderation
have been shown for which this country can.
not be too grateful
That temperatures moderation and cour.
tesy. however have not by a hairs breadth in.
fringed the rights OF our foes under interna.
tional law. Since this war began there has
breatfed through the official actions OF the
American Government I'm relation 10 this coun.
try the spirit OF Abraham Lincoln. and no
higher tribute can be paid TO any Government
than that