New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-21
From lie Temps)

MN. Clcmenceau and Georges Leagues
presidents of the committees of Foreign Az
fairs of the Senate and Chamber, have just
sent an eloquent response in the name OF
their colleagues to the declaration OF the
Brazilian Parliament.
The origin of the resolution adopted by the
Federal Chambers of the Brazilian Republic
is well known. NJ. Ruy Barbosa, Brazilian
Ambassador at Buenos Ayres, having deliy-
cred lecture at the university OF the Argen-
tine capital on the duties of neutrals with
regard to German crime, both houses author
lied the publication of his discourse IN the
official journal.
NJ. Ruy Barbosa, by virtue of his former
career and his learning, is held in high
esteem in Latin America. He represented his
country at the Hague Conference. In the SER
vice of his ideas he has at his command a
powerful and telling eloquence. tie Is pre-
lcuinently representative man. His lecture
RI Buenos Ayres made a profound impress
sion.
His argument was distinguished by two
loualities-clearness and courage. 1t may be
summarized in few words which nave al
ready been quoted, but which will bear repeat.
ing: "Neutrals ought not by standing aIool
to reward those who have premedltated ag
erosion. Between those who trample upon
the law and those who observe the Ia"
neutrality is inadmissible. The tribunals,
public opinion and conscience are not neutral
as between law and crime"
This noble and upright language seems TO
US to express the case clearly: 1t Is CONFORM
able with the assurance we have of our right
u wi M
by the evidence to the point Of expression,
and it is for this reason that we are slngu-
arly grateful to those who by their words
affirm the strength of their conviction.
The Brazilian Chamber Of Deputies
and Senate esteemed il a privilege to identity
themselves with the declarations of NJ. Ruy
Barbosa. On the. motion OF MN. Pedro
Moacyr and Guanabara, they expressed their
approval of what the former speaker called
"the inspired, victorious and irrefutable
answer of civilization to force which had
trampled on law and culture" All honor to
them!
The motives were expressed in terms no
less clear than their conclusion: I'VE cannot
oersevere," said NJ. Moacyr, "in the ill-omened
policy of countenancing even remotely the
theories and the instruments of force and
brutality, however powerful they may be. 1t
selves on the side of the threatened Western
civilization"
In the Senate VI. Guanabara, reminding his
hearers that he was not of the same political
party as VI. Ruy Barbosa, exclaimed at is
for the higher principles Of international pol
itics, and because it is q question OF right
end justice. that | adjure this high assembly
to consecrate by their voice the unanimity Of
our entire country in these noble ideas" And
the Senate voted unanimously.
From the very beginning Of the war the
neutrality Of Brazil has been perfectly cor
rect. Nevertheless, the Minister of Foreign
Affairs, VI. Lauro Muller, did not seem at one
time to be prepared for the solemn declara-
ton Of principles which has drawn from both
houses TO the side of NJ. Ruy Bsrbosa all the
partsans of the policies of President Wences-
lao Braz. This declaration. therefore, is sig
nifcant not only for what il is, but for what
il opposes. IL constitutes a new fact in the
history of Brazil since the commencement Of
the war.
The authors Of the manifesto made point
Of declaring that neutrality, applicable 70
acts, could not prevail in matters of con-
science. This was the eloquent and sincere
reply TO the question lately put with such a
wealth Of argument by NJ. Paul Hyacinthe-
Loison: Are you neutral in the presence Of
crime!" Brazil answers mo"
II may be. too, that the two chambers Of
Rio de Janeiro had begun to reconsider crit
cally the confidence their country placed in
Germany during the last twenty years. 1t
vas in 1908 that an American historian, Mr.
Archibald Cary Coolidge. pointed out the
peril of pacific invasion of Brazil by the
Germans, recalling that the Pan-Germanists