Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-23
Humanity and tho Sale Of Arms

7 ETTERS insisting that President Wilson
IL owes it TO humanity" to stop the ex
portatiun of arms and munitions of war to
the belligerent nations continue to make
their appearance in American newspapers
We receive such communications constantly
have published many of them, and print
another on this page to-day. They are,
obviously either foolish or disingenuous-
and frequently both.
The writer's always insist that to prohibit
American expectation of arms would aid
humanity by putting an end TO the European
war. What they really mean. Of course, is
that only American munitions enable the
allies to continue the struggle. and that il
these exports were stopped German superior
ity in equipment would soon make itself
manifest in the delivery of a crushing blow
They do not stop to consider that this
resut-in which. by the way, we do not
believe-appears by no means desirable to
the overwhelming mass Of the American peo-
pie, who hope for an allied triumph as
ardently they expect ii confidently. In
our own view humanity would be the suf-
ferer. not the gamer. by any outcome OF the
war that did not involve, among other
things, full reparation TO ravished Belgium
and such reduction Of German military power
as would give reasonable assurance of lasting
peace. This view may be a mistaken one
but ii is shared unquestionably by three
explains the lack OF enthusiasm for that
limited species OF humanity some Of our
correspondents advocate.
III the broad aspect. we do not assume that
Germany regards the manufacture and sale
OF munitions OF war as in anywise violative
OF the humanitarian instinct She has been
in the business long time. both for export
and for home consumption. and has attained
an unrivaled eminence in both respects
Neither has she hesitated, while her naval
strength rendered ii possible. to import mill
tary necessities from this country even after
the war began Hundreds OF thousands Of
tons of American copper have been dis
charged from German guns. much of which
was received via Italy. Sweden or Norway
after the outbreak OF hostilities There have
been likewise large importations OF zinc, cot
ton and other articles used in the manufac-
ture OF ammunition. The quantity of these
imports was limited by German inability to
supply safe passage. and not by German I'M
Willingness To purchase or American unwill-
ingnesS to sell.
From its beginning the United States has
insisted on its right to sell arms to bellig-
erentG. When Thomas Jefferson was Secre-
tary OF State he procla lined that doctrine
from which there has been no retreat. There
is no reason why we should not engage in this
trade, but. unless we propose TO adopt mill
tariSm for ourselves and make ourselves
'othpeicHt 10 Wllhstaad unaSSiSted the on
slaught of any possible foe. there is every rea-
son why we should not limit it. Otherwise
we should be at the mercy OF any enemy
better prepared to fight
Those who desire German victory are en-
iireiy within their rights in opposing the
trathc in arms. which interferes with their
ambition, but when they place their objec-
tlons on the ground that the traffic violates
neutrality they become not Il little ridiculous
hlU l.
they are more ridiculous still Let them
think while OF what happened in Belgium
or OF the fate OF the Lusitania and then
change their song.