The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-01-16

ments TO England in retaliation for
British interference with American
commerce on the high seas. This
measure did not accomplish the de-
sired result and England. persisting in
the exercise OF 'the right Of search"
Chained as one OF her inviolable pre-
rogatives, the war Of 1912 followed.
In those days England was not de-
pendent. In as large q measure as to-
day. upon the United States for sup
piles CT food and other necessities and
not mt all for munitions Of war with
which to fight Napoleon. England
was In q position Of absolute inde-
pendence insofar as the weak and
sparsely populated United States was
concerned and did not desire our
friendship OF even neutrality. They
pursued u policy Of high handed ar
roCance and forced the United States
into war after all peaceful efforts to
adjust the differences had been ex-
hansted. The situation Is different
now. England. France and Russia can
not continue the war against Germany
for any long period without drawing
upon the United States for supplies of
food. clothing. ammunition. rifles. ar
tillery. aeroplanes. automobiles and
other equipment. England realizes
her dependence upon the United
States and our neutrality is Of vital
importance in this crisis. II England
has over-stepped her rights. under
well established international law
and custom. In tho exercise OF police
power on the sea and by so doing has
infringed the rights Of the United
States to the damage OF our citizens
engaged In neutral commerce, II Is
not likely that she will persist in q
high-handed and indefensible policy
IL IL is made clear. in a firm and pos
itive declaration. that the United
States will not tolerate further inter-
ference with and damage to our COM
merce. As last resort an embargo
on shipments 20 England. France
and Russia. although drastic meas
ure. would brins England to her
senses and imprt ss upon her lords of
the admiralty that the United states
will not submit TO arbitrary and un-
reasonable interference with Iegt;-
mate. neutral commerce. and that if
forced to 1t will retaliate In tn most
effective manner possible.
Gov. Blease ought to be impeached
for his abuse OF the pardoning power
and for the disbanding Of the militia
as well as for numerous other acts OF
misconduct. but we have no idea 1t
will be done. Blease still has many
friends scattered over the State whose
enmity no member of the legislature
seeks to monopolize. Blease has man.
aged to put across his high-binder
stun and get away with 1t only be-
cause he has had the office holders
buffaloed from the start. Even i'm
the countits IA. which Blease has al
ways been In the minority. the Blease
faction often wields the balance Of
power I'm a close election and Is there
fore treated with considerable defer
encc by those who seek office.
Reading between the lines OF the
asylum report OF the legislative COM
mittee one IL led to- conclude that
conditions In that institution are in
n deplorable and disgusting condition.
II has become a dumping ground for
political derelicts. who are incompc-
tent and unfit for the positions they
occupy. The asylum needs a thor
ough ovcrhauling more sadly than
any other state institution and II Is to
be hoped that the legislature will take
the necessary steps To remedy condi-
tions that have steadily grown worse
and worse for n com Haratively Ions
period OF years. The public can
scarcely have forgotten the shocking
revelations made as the result of an
investigation by n legislative commit
tee some five or six years ago.
III a thorough-going anarchy and q
complete reign of lawlessness Is the
result sought iov. Blease should sup
DIement his liberation of all IN,
criminals and the disbanding Of the
militia by removing all the shcrifi'
and magistrates.
Some day dry as dust historian
will exclaim, with srcile. "wha,
fools these mortals be-" when he runs