The Washington times., 1915-05-17
AN END TO NEUTRALITYi

Comment of the South American
press, dealing with President Will
sons note to Germany, indicates a
unanimous support of this Govern
ment's attitude. The leading paper
Of Buenos Aires declares that If Ger
many does not accept the principles
laid down in the note, there will be
necessarily an end Of neutrality, and
universal war will follow.
So far as reports have come to
hand concerning the utterances Of
the tin-American press, they are
all in the tenor Of support for the
United States. In a general way, 1t
may be said that the United States
Is recognized as leader Of the neu-
trail powers; it is the greatest and
most powerful among them, and If It
shall prove itself vigorous enough to
deserve leadership there will be no
disposition to question that right.
The world is divided into three
camps: the dual alliance, the triple
entente, and the neutrals. Most Of
the military and naval power of the
world is already involved in the war.
But there is enough Of both moral
and military force yet unengaged,
to make it decisive if its weight shall
be thrown either way. Neither side,
as now aligned in the war, can de-
feat the other side plus the senti-
ment Of the neutral world.
Germany's course may easily
ALLEVIATE the support of practically
the entire section Of the world that
is now at peace. Her answer to the
American note, viewed in the light
Of this now very apparent condition
will be supremely momentous doc
ument. Holland, Italy, Roumania,
Greece, the Scandinavias. and the
big Latin-American countries are
awaiting 1t, because every one Of
them has a direct and material con-
cern, or sentimental and dominat-
ing interest, to know that civiliza-
tion Is not to be thrust aside or sub
merged in the barbarlt,es of a rever-
sion to medieval war methods.
OF all the neutrals in the world,
the most important group is that Of
the Americas. They are far enough
from the scene Of conflict to be able
to take fair and candid view Of the
whole field. Italy and Roumania are
only nominal neutrals In sentiment;
standing with hands on hilts ready
to leap into the battle line. The
other European countries as yet un-
engaged are hardly less concerned.
The American countries alone are
able to estimate values without over
weighting the considerations of i'm
mediate interest and neighborly
sentiment.
Therefore a peculiar significance,
not only for now but for the future,
attaches to the rapprochement Of tho
American states and the disposition
to accept American leadership. 1t
means better understanding, more
intimacy in the friendllness and
neighborliness that ought to and in
increasing measure do mark the re-
lations among the peoples Of this
continent. 1t means a gain in con-
fdence and poise, among people
who in the past have. been looked
upon as representing dubious ex-
pertinent in governmental institu-
tions. The experiment Of tho Amer
icas In popular government looks
better today than. it ever did before,
because it has been thrown into con-
trast with the dynastic system that
has brought the horror Of the ages
upon Europe. There Is going to be
less cocksureness, less superiority,
less confidence that sophistication is
the whole substance of wisdom, on
the part Of European diplomacy in
future. America means more of ad-
vancement, civilization, security
than anything else in the world just
at this moment; and realization of
that fact is proving a potent cement
to the common interest of these
countries.