Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-23

Mor1stown, n j., Feb. 22.-The
United States is threatened with a Sc
rious invasion Of its rights as a neu-
trail by the warning nations of Europe
and in preserving its commerce with
those nations is face to face with
crisis, in the opinion Of Former Presi-
dent William H. Taft. In the solution
of that crisis, should it arise, no jim
so spirit must be allowed to prevail,
Mr.. Taft advised; neither pride nor
momentary passion should influence
our judgment.
AND when the President shall act"
Mr.. Taft declared, I'VE must stand
by him to the end. In this determine
ton we may be sure that all will join,
no matter what their previous views,
no matter what their European orr
gin. All viii forget their differences in
self sacrificing loyalty to our common
flag and our common country" Mr..
Taft's reference to the situation con-
fronting the United States was made
at the conclusion of an address deliv-
cred here today before the Washing
ton Association of New Jersey. Quot
ing from a reservation Of the treaty
Of Algeciras of 1907 and entered into
among the United States and II Eu-
ropean nations, including most OF
those now at war, Mr.. Taft said:
Our interest in the present war,
therefore, under the conditions that
exist, should be limited as set forth
in this reservation, to wit
Our interests In The War
Preserving and increasing the
commerce of the United States with
the belligerents, to the protection as
to life, liberty and prosperity Of our
citizens residing or travelling in their
countries and to aiding by our friend
ly Offices and efforts in bringing
those countries to peace
Our efforts for peace, he continued,
have been as complete as possible,
for the President has already tender
ed his good offices by. way Of media
ton between the Powers and they
have not been accepted.
I'm preserving the commerce of the
United States with the belligerents
however, we are face to face with a
crisis. We are threatened with a seri-
Gus invasion Of cur rights as neutrals
in trading with the belligerent coun-
upon previous rules in respect to the
neutral commerce and contraband of
war has been initiated by belligerents
of both sides. The planting Of mines
in the open sea and the use Of subma-
rines TO send neutral vessels to the
bottom without inquiry as to their
neutrality. when found in a so-called
war zone of the open sea, are all of
them variation from the rules of
the international law governing the
action Of belligerents towards neutral
trade.
Grave Possibilities
When their violation results in the
destruction Of the lives Of American cit
liens or of American property a grave
iss,le will arise as ia what the duty Of
this government is The responsibility
Of the President and Congress IN meet
ing tn critical issue thus presented III
maintaining our national rights and
Cur national honor on the one he nd with
due regard to the awful consequences to
our ninety million Of people of engaging
in this horrible world war, on the other,
will be very great. It involves on their
part a judgment SO momentous in It's
CoiSeq utiCeS lIlll we SHOULD earnestly
pray that the necessity for it may be
Inverted.
If however, the occasion arises we
can be confident that those in authority
viii be actuated by the highest patri-
Otto motives and by the deepest concern
for our national welfare. We must not
allow our pride or momentary passion
to influence our judgment. We must ex-
ercise the deliberation that the fate
full consequences in the loss OF cur best
blood and enormous waste Of treasure
would necessarily impose upon US. We
must abide the judgment Of those in
whom we have entrusted the authority
and when the President shall act, We
must stand by him TO the end IN this
determination We may be sure that al
will join, no matter what their previ-
GUS views, no matte what their Eupo-
pean origin. All Will forget their diff