Morris tribune., 1915-01-29
u. S. NOT GOING TO WAR


is discussions CT the various questions which arise
in connection with the present European
The first thing to remember is that the situation here
is much different than it in Europe before the present
broke out There everyone looked forward to great
war which would time come. All the leading states
of all nations of Europe knew that there going
to be and the only question when it would
With this in view, the problem of their diplomacy to
delay hasten the according the state of their
preparedness lack of preparedness of their oppon
ents and shape the issue that the blame of starting
the war would fall upon their opponents.
This view explains the apparent suddenness with
which the war cloud burst
In this county there and is such "inevtabIe
conflict impending. None but houghtless people want
this country engage war; foreign country desires
any conflict with the United States. and the highest duty
of American patriotism is simply to remain neutral.
But and during all the rest of the war. there
are going be questions arise with Germany France,
England and all the rest which will need to be settled On
some of these questions the United States yield and
on some the foreign nation affected must yield Practi
caly every question which up will be which
can be settled in accordance with we'll defined principles
of international law.
Some people have the idea that international law is
code of principles formulated by specialized professors and
that is has effect upon The conduct of nations.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. International
of kind and another is older civilization and
it has grown civilization has grown To be sure there
international police to enforce it. but all law rests
upon intelligent self interest rather than the police
mans club for its final effectiveness. The ordinary cit
zen does murder and steal because is against the law
to murder steal but if he would have his
life secure respect the life of his neghbor and if
he would have his property secure he must respect
the property of his neighbor.
In the same way international has grown up with
intelligent selfnterest a guide. The nation which is
at war will not go to extremes in asserting rights
begerent because in the next it may be neutral
The nation which is a neutral most remember that
it may at some distant date be begerent and the
principles for which stood neutral may be acted
upon by other nations to it's disadvantage.
What the principles of international law has been
set forth many ponderous Volumes and the only dispute
that may be arises from the egaity illegally Of
specific acts Each of tries interpret
law in it's interest and it is by the settlement of
these conflicts that the whole body of international law
grows civilization advances. The United States is
the greatest civilized not at and her
the responsibility of protecting the rights of neutra of
settling amicably such questions as arise and Of setting
forward civilization instead of setting it back.
This is difficult task but one which will be we'll
handled by of the nation unless they
swept off their feet by the politicians playing for favor
with various elements of the population who sympathze
with one of the European countries first and with AM
erica afterwards.
The United States is playing fair with all the belli-
gerents and to it first loyalty With view,
however to answering criticisms that this nation
playing fair the government has issued statement show
ing how it has been necessary the rights of this
country against each of the begerents. One has
reminded that would be unneura act for pre-
vent trade conraband another has been denied the right
to shp war equipment Alaska. another has beer
reminded that search American ships for citizens
of an enemy country others have been reminded that tb
continued presence of warships in American is
welcome.
These things should convince American citizens tina
as nation going be fair to all belligerents
and that more than that going to guard the in
of ourselves and other neutrs and do witho
going to war. There is American viewpoint this
war which is much important than any Euro
moan viewpoint. Get the American viewpoint
In appointing Carlos Avery executive agent of tbs
Game and Fish commission Governor Hammond has no
only recognized of the high grade newspapers publish
ers of the state but has also selected vel
qualified for the duties which he will be called upon tt
perform.