The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-08-16
PRINCIPLES OF

y,nanst;ons to the same purchaser.
4hnuvb IN smaller quantities while as
compared with the present war. inc
quantities sold were small "a table o.
the sales Is appendedl. The prine'pfe
OF neutrality involved was rne same.
III al that time Austria hungary anu
Ter nresent ally had refused To sen
arms ans ammunition 10 Great Britain
on the ground 'thst to do SO wouic
yioIsfe the spirit of strict neutrality
the Imperial and Royal government
might With consistency and greater
force urge its present contention.
Ii might be further pointed out that
during the German war large guam
titles Of arms and military stores we're
furnished TO Russia by Prussian manu-
fac.urerS that during the recent war
between Turkey and Italy. as this
Y government is advised. arms and ann
nutrition were furnished 10 the Otto
man government BY Germany; and
that during the Balkan wars the bel
ligerents were supplied with NUM-
tions by both Austria and Germany.
While thess latter cases are not
analogous It * the case Of Vac South
African war, 10 the situation of
Austria Hungary and Germany in the
present war. they very clearly indicate
two empires In the matter of trade in
war supplies.
Omen to All Bclligcrents.
III view Of The foregoing statements
this Government is reluctant 10 believs
& that the Imperial and royal governs
ment viii ascribe 10 the United States
al lack OF impartial neutrality in con-
sinuiug It's legitimate trade in all kinds
of supplies ueed to render the armed
forces OF a helligerent efficient, even
though the circumstances OF the pres
ent war prevented Austria hungary
from obtaining such supplies from the
markets of the United states. winch
have beAn and remain so far as the
action and policy of this Government
are concerned, open to all beiiigerents
alike FB
But in addition to the question OF
principle there IL practical HHd
xubsta ntial reason why the COY vera
ment of the United States has from
the foundation Of the republic to stfe'
present time advocated and pract'e"
Unrestricted trade arms and military
supplies II has never been the policy
of this country to maintain in -ints
OF peace a large military estabhs~-
rnent Of stores of arms and aTnmnn.-
tion sufficient 10 repei invasion ny
well quIpped and powerful enemy. IL
has desired 10 remain at peace with
all nations and to avoid any appsaS
ance OF menacjng such peace by the
threat ~ It's armies and navles' IN
conssqys2nce Of this standing policy
tha United States would. in the event
CT attack -. foreign power, be at the
outset Of the war seriously, II not
fatally. EN- barrassed by the lack or
arms and ammunition and by the
means 10 produce them in sufiiclent
quantities TO supply the requirements
ef national defense The United States
has always depended upon the right
ana power 10 purchase arms and ami
munition from neuiral nations in case
Of fore gin attack. This right, which
ii claims for Itself. 1t cannot deny
etigers.
ration whose principle and pol
sey II IS to rely upon international
obligations and international Jus3rr
10 preserve SIS political and territorial
jaIeEs q nigh become the prey OF an
agar sstge nation whose policy and
practice II Ia TO increase ita military
:sEsnEfh curing times of peace with
lie deS.sa pf conquest, unless the ia :
tloas attacked raa, alter war has been
declared, go into the markets of the
Mnila and purchase the means TO dc.
fesd itseif against the aggiessor.
Mould Make World Armed Camp.
OF The world of the theory that neutral
powers ought TO prohibit the sale of
aSnss ara Ammunition 10 belligefents
asopl6 comp every nstion TO have III
faa a'nsg at AL tiIaes sufficient muni-
n Tors 0f war IL meet any emerge acy
stieh mlRM aiise ANA To erect and
laalaaats an establishment for the
manufacture 81 arms and Rmmuntio /
sufficient 10 supply the needs of it's
9alifsaSy and naval forces throughout
5# the progress of a war. ManifeStly
the application of this theory would
fcsalt IA every nation becoming an
y armed camp ready to resist agrees
sion AID tempted TO employ force
4 if asserting its rights. rather than
appeal 10 reason and justice for the
settlement of international disputes.
Perceiving az 1t does, that the adop-
ton of the principle that il liz the duty
RI a neutral to prohibit the sale of
4 arms and ammunition TO a beliigerent
Curing The progress of a war would
inevitably give the advantage to the
y beil3Gerent which had encouraged the
n Manufacture of munitions in time Of
yeace. and which had lara in vast
atores Of arms and ammunition In an
l. tcipaisoR OF war. the Government of
Il tge Emitted States is convinced that
the adoption OF the theory would
Il force 1nHitarism on the world and
s@ark against that universal peace
sffgh il the desire and purpose OF all
satians which exalt justice and right
gFcss In their relations with one
Sas her.
The government of the United States
sss the foregoing discussion of tbs
sE s1ftcsi reason why 1t has advocated
81 Draetieed trade in munitions of
ss wishes to be understood as speak
l& with no thought OF expressing or
~ sag aag Judgment with regard to
w asrewaatanees OF the present war,
N assf as merely putting frankly the arr
"a fanent ia this matter which has been
ronc3nsive In determining the policy of
"a che United States
CeEngfisnce Ont Of Queatien.
While the practice OF nations, so
Il well Illustrated by the practice OF both
u a.Ausfris- Hungary and Germany dur
Ing The South African war, and the
u manifest evil which would result from
II change OF that practice render-com-
x piiancs with the suggestions of the
Il Imperial and Royal government out
~ the question. certain assertions APP
Il Bearing ia the Anstro- Hungarian state
ment as erounrs for it's contentious