The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-09-09


W. AR Il the supreme test q the qualities
Nv Of nation. and It win b admitted
~ b. Independent opinion In neutral
countries that tho people Of Great Britain have
stood the test well Peace has it, great tests.
also. and the country that stands outside the
ring of fighters u tsssed almost ~ searchingH
g any belligerene COUNTY,.
The belligersnt country has not to weigh IT'D
every action with exquisite nicely. because war
sivss wide liberty. though It still must walk
with guarded footsteps where neutral nations
are concerned: It must have strict regard for
their rights under the rules Of international
Law and the long presidents Of naval warfare
The neutral country. however. which stands.
90 It were. between the combatants. holding the
balance level, has . task that tests its states
nanahip and the character Of Its people ~ 1t 10
never tested in ordinary peace times, in
ordinary war times, In this extraordinary war
the American Government and American PEG.
pie have been suprsmely testeo .and they have
chief Of all the neutral natione-has = sraveiy
important part 10 MAY both nom the moral
and from what may be called the politica! sida
-Four OF the sreaeesr nations OF the world are
Of war. and II Is natural that e%rh Of tho. two
sets Of belllgerenis wish fer the moral support
Of ninety millions Ct people, whore. power
through their Government 20 affect the uitt
mate result OF tho war by their influence with
other neutral countries, cannot be- over.est-
mated. Official bias in dealing with questions
such - contraband. purchase OF ships. block.
ade and 80 on toward either combatant-a
preference which would be a variation from the
strict rules OF neutrality from the mercantile
side. affecting supplies OF all kinds-would
have serious an effect upon the .ultimats
decision OF the war a. active participation.
1t must be- said that, IN 4 position Of i'm
nenss delie.sy, ths United States has inter
Doachable fidelity to hong established rules:
The position IL not . new one. Every great
0sutral nation In turn has had to face the same
and every Government one time or another has
been attacked by the people Of its own country
% we'll ~ by the belligerents for not departing
from strict neutrality to meet By NO means
strictly controlled public sentiment
the conduct Of nations In time of war have
taken form. either by precedent or by the writ.
ten rule OF tho Declaration OF Paris. has any
neutral nation had to face tho difficulties At
tached to its neutrality such Is have faced the
to make protest or to seek explanation. OF
acts Of naval warfare Of this country in which
there were certainly elements Of anxiety for
our Foreign Ofice and the Government: but.
Whistler It was the question Of the o pacis ana ana
contraband. or tho new blockade, which differed
from other blockades Of the past In that 1t was
wider In area and yet less severe upon neutrals.
a tempcrateress. . courtesy and q moderation
have been shown for which this country can
not be too grateful
That temperateness. moderation and cour.
tesy, however have not BY a hairs breadth In
Iriuged the rights Of our foes under interna.
tional law. Since this war began there has
5reotred through the official actions OF the
American Government in relation to this coun
try the spirit OF Abraham Lincoln: and
higher tribute can 20 paid to any r:ove~nwe-,
than that.