New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-23
its condemnation at the appropriate

its condemnation at the appropriate
election.
"But in such a case the reasons must
be found in injury 10 the interests OF
the United States and not in the merits
of the issues being fought out by
European nations.
az was asked IN Canada whether the
war would affect cur politics so a. 20
divide parties on European lines. J
answered unhesitatnG.y 100 the mega
tive. said that 10 inject European is-
sues into American politics had uu'-
formly mean. the dc'ca, o. nose who
attempted il.
we do not discriminate between the
hclligerents in the matter of furnish
ing war material. II is only that the
fortune of war and the circumstances
ever which We have no control prevent
one side from purchasing in our mar
hets. which are open 10 the world.
Mr Taft pointed out that neutrality
leagues, organized 20 urge an embargo
ON The sale OF arms and ammunition,
were not rightly named.
But my chief objection, he SAID,
"to giving up the lawful course OF a
neutral 20 sell arms and ammunition TO
belligcrents is based on the highest ma
tional interest. We are a country
which is never likely TO he fully pre-
pared for war. We must have the
means of preparing as rapidly as
possible after war is imminent and In
evitable. We would be most foolish TO
adopt policy which, if pursued
against us when driven into war, would
leave us helpless.
Finally the general adoption Ct q
course by neutrals not to sell arms
would greatly stimulate the tendency
20 increase ornaments in time Of peace
to be ready for war.
Some people have complained be-
cause the administration did not pro-
test against every violation Of inter
national law committed by one set OF
the bellgerents against the others.
1T must be noted that in every war
one side must be wrong, and frequently
both sides are wrong. OFTEN both sides
violate international laws and the
laws Of war against each other, and 1t
is most difficult for neutral TO learn
all the facts in such way as to reach
safe and certain Judgment on the
merits.
Can't Help Belgium.
"Therefore, while &ympathize with
the Belgians in this war, whose cOun-
trv without any fault of theirs has
been made its bloody centre, | approve
and commend TO the full the attitude of
President Wilson in declining to CON
slider the evidence brought before him
in rcspect 10 atrocities in Belgium and
10 express an opinion on the issues pre-
scented. 4 similar decision with re-
spect to the application of the German
government to have him investigate the
evidence of the use of dun dunn bullets
was equally sound. :.
"When the action OF belligerent di-
rectlv affects our commercial interests,
then we must protest or acquiesce IN
the wrong. When a wrong is not com
mitted against US, but against Euro
mean nation, absence Of protest by us
is not acouiescence, but only consistent
maintenance of our national policy 10
avoid the European quarrels.
This rule was laid down by Wash
ington. and has found authoritative ex-
nression in the reservation made in
Tho treaty between the United States,
Germany. Austria Hungary, Belgium,
Snain. France, Great Britain, Italy, The
Netherlands. Portugal, Russia and
Sweden, known as the Treaty OF Al
oeciras. proclaimed January %, 1901