The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-06-04
SCORES
WILSON'S CRITICS


are sound--and am sure no Que will
deny that they are more or less rea
sonHble----aud submit to changes in
the rules OF naval warfare. We will
he without any standard OF neutral
rights. Concoding that the rules can
be modified by belliEercnt to meet
new conditions how far could a bel
ligercnt go in changing the rules
Would not the liberties OF ncutrals on
the high seas be ut tho mercy OF
every bolligeTent? As It Is under
the old rules. nOutrHls suffer enough
when Il state Of war exists. They
should not be further restricted in
the exercise OF their rights.
The only alternative. therefore. ia
for this government to hold firmly
10 those neutral rights which iutrr-
national law has clearly defined and
TO insist vigorously on their obsoIN.-
ancc by all belligercnts. In not the
slightest degree can the settled rules
be modified unlcSs all tho parties in
tcrcstCd consent TO the modification
II Germany finds It difficult or
impossible to conform submarine
warfare to the international nasal
code. or II Great Britain finds IL
equally difficult 10 obey tho rules OF
blockade and contraband. that is
their misfortune. They certainly can
not expect neutral nations 10 sub
init without resistance to further in
vasions OF their rights.
This has been the position Of the
United States from tho beginning OF
the war 1t has twice sought to oh
tam mutual consent from the bel
Iigcronts to certain changes In the
rules but IN both cases II failed and
the suggestions were withdrawn
II Is true that the rights violated
by the battle-ground may differ in i'm
por,ancc and therefore require differ
cnt treatment. Thus tho violation
Of the natural right OF life is much
more serious offcnsc against an ndi-
Ndunl and against his nation than
the violation OF the legal right of
property. There Is not and cannot be
adequate recompenso for the wrong
tul destruction OF life but property
losses may be satisfied by the pay
mcnt OF indcmnitics II one hellig-
cront violates the right OF life and nm
othcr belliEorent violates tho NiGht of
property, can you doubt for mo-
ment which one gives this govern
ment the greatest concern. or which
ono Will call forth the more vlgor-
GUS pOrtest and the moro earnest cf
fort 10 prevent rcpetItions of the Of
tense?
"A government which places life
and property on an equality would
be generally condemned and Justly
condemned. This seems to mo an
axiom and yet. regret 90 say, therc
are some Americans who do not rec
oCniIc this difference. How many
iHho this view II Is impossible To say
but the number Is largo judging by
the letters and kilograms received
IN Washington. Indeed, It ia held By
como who sit in the halls OF Con
gress. These people openly complain
that the government does not exert
as much pressure to protect Amerl-
can property as IT does to protect
American lives--propeTty which can
be restored to the owners or an in
demnity paid: lives which never can
be restored or Adequately indemni-
! ned.
This mental attitude makes one
wonder If the sensibilities of the
american people have become so
blunted by materialIsm that they
think us much OF the loss OF their
property as they do OF the loss OF
the lives OF their fellow countrymen.
such an idea is repugnant to u lib
crty loving American: II Is utterly
wanting in the nObler impulses OF a
great people; 1t il hostile to the spirit
OF true AmcriCanism. Yet 1t exists
and is widespread and must be reck-
oned with.
With the knowledge that num-
her OF citizens prefer to havo their
material interests protected even TO
the extent OF not insisting on our
rights, the conduct OF our foreign re-
lalIuns is made most dillicult, How
extensive this influence ia no one can
say with certainty That II exists
at all Is bad enough for 1t shows TINT
we do not ali think true, that the
great heart OF the republic is threat
cned with fatty deGeneracy through
those who have lost their patriotic
Nigor, that many Americans have be-
come lovers OF ease rather than low
ers OF national honor.
This attitude of mind Of portion
OF our people, as said, increases tho
difficulties OF diplomacy. Il ls al.
most Impossible 10 present q strong
and unbending front in Il coutrovor-
sy unless a united and determined ma
ton Is behind you. Furthermore,
the knowledge TINT our people are
not unit in supporting q vigorous
policy encourages foreign govern
ment TO resist our protests. feeling
sure that we must withdraw or mod.
liy them. 1t IL not n pleasant POSI-
tion. / firmly believe that tho Amer
lean people will one OF these dnys
crush out this influence and become
as they ehould he. grcnt united ma
ton, Jealous Of their rights and eager
TO defend their honor regardless OF
personnl sacrifice. Amerlcanism.
with nll that that term implies, Of pa
trlotism, loyalty and zeal, must be
from this time forth the great stand.
Ing policy Of this republic.
When you dIsapprovo OF some
course Of action taken by this gov
eminent, be lenIent in your jldg-
ment for very often tho action Is the