Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1916-05-16
MAKE EACH BELLIGERENT RE
SPECT NEUTRAL RIGHTS.


SPECT NEUTRAL RIGHTS.
1T is reliably reported that the
administration has thrown out the
suggestion" says the Washington
Post, that it is difficult to press
American grievances against Eng
land on account of the apparent con-
ditions contained in theGerman note.
This is an astonishing position to
take, and perhaps reflection on the
part Of the government will show IL
to be most unwise. In his note to
Germany Secretary Lansing stated
admirably that the United States
could not for a moment entertain,
much less discuss, the suggestion
that German respect for American
rights should in the slightest degree
be made contingent upon the conduct
of other nations respecting the rights
of neutrals. Responsibility in such
matters is single, not joint; absolute,
not relative. said Mr.. Lansing. This
is unquestionably true, and therefore
it is true OF all belligerents. Each
must respect the rights of neutrals
or get into difficulty with the United
States. The intimation that the
United States must refrain from
Germany has made conditional prom
ises is fallacious. If such a condi-
tion were accepted, no belligerent
could ever be brought to terms. Eng
land could escape responsibility by
demanding that Germany be brought
to book first, and vice versa. Ger
many has tried this plan, and the adj
ministratiOn has very properly set
90, ffrL Ia ~ a e.
good work by refusing to call the
other offender to account2 The
United States protested long ago
against British violations OF Amer
lean rights. Were these protests
valid? II so, they should be pressed
home until relief is obtained. They
were not made at the behest of Ger
many. England's compliance with
law is not made contingent upon
Germany's good behavior or upon
her promises Responsibility is
single, not Joint, absolute, not rel
alive Just as the United States de-
manded of Germany that it would
abandon practices which violated
American rights, it is in duty bound
to demand Of England that it respect
American rights. Neutrality de-
mands equal treatment of belliger-
ents. No matter what conditional"
replies they make; no matter how
they may try to dodge the issue, each
must be made to respect neutral
rights TO postpone the demand that
England shall return to observance
of law is tacit acquiescence in her
violation OF American rights The
United States made very clear the
fact that its differences with Ger
many had nothing to do with its diff
ferences with England. Why, then,
should they be dealt with differently?
Each Is an offender Each must be
brought to account. 1t is absurd to
assume that If the United States
should proceed vigorously against
either belligerent, it would appear to
be forced into taking such action by
the other belligerent. Was it pressure
from England that caused the United
States to make its demand upon Ger
many? The suggestion is insulting
to the American government If the
United States should press its de-
mands upon England, would it be be-
cause Germany had forced it to do
SO? The suggestion is equally an
insult. Equal treatment Of all bel
ligerents, and the holding Of each to
single and absolute responsibility, is
the only safe and effective policy for
the administration to pursue"
Every sensible American must
agree with the Washington Post on
that subject According to his own
words Mr.. Wilson himself must agree
to the justice of what the Post says.
In his recent letter to Senator Stone
tho President said:
mo nation, no group of nations,
has the right WHILE WAR is IN
PROGRESS to alter or disregard the
principles which all nations have
agreed upon in mitigation of the hor-
rors and sulferings of war; and If the
clear rights of American citizens
should ever unhappily be abridged or
denied by any such action we should,
1t seems to me, have in honor no
choice as to what our own course
should be-"
And the different notes which Mr..
Wilson has sent to London show that
he is convinced that Great Britain
and her allies have changed the in
ternational law to the detriment of
American citizens. He has prevented
the Central Powers from making any
changes. VIII it not become his duty
now to undo the damage inflicted
upon the law OF nations and human