The Penn's Grove record., 1915-09-10
NEUTRALITY TOWARD BOTH
From Brvan's Commoner

From Bryan's Commoner
On another page will be found an ar
lticle from the London Morning Post
(ouoted by the American Uress on
August 14) addressed to the American
people. 1t begins: Eve have been
comnelled as an incident OF war IN
that struggle for national existence
which we now are waging, to inter-
fere with the commerce OF America,
in common with that of all neutrals,
90 as to prevent our enemy from Cd
tanning from neutrals those articles
necessary for the prosecution OF the
war"
Here is an ADMISSION hat the al
lies are interfering with commerce
between neutrals and the reason 1oF
tbat interference. The American
neonle understand both the fact and
the reason, and they also understand
that Germany and Austria are doing
the same thing for the same reason.
Both sides are interfering with the
rights of n~eutrals, and both sides give
the same reason, namely, that they
are in a struggle for existence and
therefore think themselves Justlned
in doing anything hat may sem nee
essary to success. This is their IN
depreciation of international law. We
protest against this Interpretation n
contend that peace, not war, is the
normal state, and that nations at wal
should respect the rights of nations
at peace. Both sides reply by plead
ing NECESSITY-and "NEEESSlTf
KNOWS NO LAW"
But my purpose in calling attention
to the above admission and excuse is
to emphasize the fact that these inter-
ferences with our rights are lNCl-
DENTAL; they are not intended and
do not indicate unfriendllness. Meth
err side desires to injure us-We are
innocent bystanders and are being hit
by the bullets which are being used
by the belligerents against each other.
This fact should be borne in mind for
it makes a great difference whether
an injury is INTENDED. 1t would
be bad enough to go to war with PEG
pie who we're enemies, and want to
fight us-God forbid that we should
compel any nation to engage in war
with us AGAINST ITS WILL.
We are in duty bound to protect
our people in the enjoyment OF all
their rights, but we are not at liberty
to ignore the conditions which we ave
to meet; neither are we at liberty to
put the interests of a few above the
welfare of the many. We need not go
to war with the allies in order to en-
force commercial rights; if diplomatic
means fail we can resort to the treaty
plan, and if that fails we can postpone
final settlement until the war is over
and then collect the damages sustain
ed. Neither is it necessary to go to
war with Germany. If diplomatic
means fail we can propose the treaty
plan; if that fails we can postpone
final settlement until the war is over.
In the meantime we a keep our citi-
|zens from riding on ~belligerent ships
bound for the danger one Those who
have any sense of duty OF feeling of
patriotism will voluntarily avoid risks
that might embarrass their govern
ment; those who lack this sense of
duty and patriotic impulses should
be taught to pay some attention to
their country's welfare. If the gov
eminent can force a citizen into war,
it ought to be able to force a citizen
to keep out of unnecessary danger.
Neutrality requires that we take the
same position toward both sides-we
can not play favorites. Each side,
quite naturally, would like to use us
against the other side; Germany would
like to have us put an embargo on
arms because hat would help Ger
many; and Great Britain would like
to have us stop the submarine attacks
for that would help Great Britain, but
this country is neutral and can not
help either side. It's motto is Amer
lea first" and by observing this mot
to it will not only conserve the in
terests of its own people but it will
keep itself in a position to act as
mediator and assist the belligerent
nations to permanent peace.
w. ]. BRYAN.