The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-05-13

gases in the trench warfare in
Flanders. the allied armies may
also resort TO the same hellisn
mode or destroying the enemy.
II the French use dum-dum bull
let's against the Germans. the
latter may employ them against
the French. But for Germany TO
assert her right OF reprisal against
Great Britain. IL il exists at all.
justihes her in taking the lives OF
the citizens Of neutral powers IN
sheer madness-the madness OF
desperation. That such a claim
will be allowed. that such prac-
tees will be tolerated. is incon-
ceivable.
But our own share in the
tragedy must not blind us TO the
fact that the blow has fallen on
the citizens of other neutral pow
ers as well and most heavily and
with equal injustice and inhuman-
ity on English men. women and
children. This is not the first.
nor is II likely the last OF Ger
many's reprisals in which inno-
cent and neutral lives will be Of
fered up. Is not our duty clear
Our government. on the hrst pro-
clamation OF Germany's piratical
designs. notified her that we
should hold the imperial govern
ment to strict accountability for
the destruction OF American lives
and property. There is no reason
10 doubt that the promise will
be made good. The President
can be trusted 10 act promptly
and resolutely. But II is to be
hoped that he will not act alone
nor in the interest OF our country
solely. We are not only the
greatest OF neutral powers, but
we are. by virtue OF that fact.
bound. IN a common cause and in
the face OF common danger. 70
act in behalf and in concert with
all other neutral powers.
IL has frequently been sug-
gested In the course OF the war
that our government call a con
ference Of neutral nations 10 de-
termine what steps should be
taken TO safeguard neutral rights
and interests and TO concert meas
ures for restoring the sanctions OF
international law and public right.
Is not this the one clear and ef-
fective method Of dealing with the
present situation? Germany may
deem her national emergency
great enough TO warrant her In
rejecting the warnings OF a single
neutral power. however great.
she may even dare TO defy a
world in arms. But a congress
representing the neutral nations
OF the earth, .onvoked in no hos
tile spirit but animated by a sin
cere purpose 20 find a peaceful
solution Of an intolerable situa-
ton. 20 re-eXamine and. so far as
possible, 20 readjust TO modern
conditions the rules OF interna-
tiOnal law. might well succeed IN
finding a way out OF the impasse
into which the war as now waged
has brought he world. And il
the worst should come TO the
worst. II Germany cannot by any
means OF cancellations be led 10
abandon her illegal and barbarous
methods OF carrying on the war.
the neutral nations. acting in con
cert, viii find other means than
that Of war-means more effective
than war-Of bringing her to
terms. A sentence OF outlawry.
an international boycott. involv-
ing the cutting OF all communica-
tons and the severance OF all re-
lations, comercisl and other, with
the offending nation might as a
last resort be employed She
would then learn that the public
opinion OF the civilized world is
SIN a force 20 be reckoned with.