The Washington times., 1916-01-11
MR.. ShAcKLEFORD's FEARS


Congressman Shackleford is
among those who gravely fear that
if we do anything calculated to pre-
pare US against war, it will cause
war. He tells the House that in sup
plying necessaries Of war to the al
lies we are making this country a
base for their operations against
the Germanic powers and would
have us put stop to the sale of
munitions.
Beyond this, he announces that
the munitions makers are deter
mined to get US into the war in'or-
der that they may insure the future
of their business. He sees a con-
spiracy of Wall Street and Boston's
State street to manufacture war
sentiment in this country in order
that there may be continuing de-
mand for the material of war.
Mr.. Shackleford employs a curious
sort of logic. He is certain that
there is no danger of a clash be-
tween this country and Germany.
The fact that Germany has long en-
tertained notorious ambitions for
expansion into the Western Hemi-
sphere, is of no consequence to him.
Nor is the fact that Germany has
proved willing to do whatever may
be necessary, regardless Of treaties,
comities, or decencies, in order to
further her imperial ambitions. He
is certain that if in the future Ger
many should launch an attack on the
United States, Russia and France
would promptly attack Germany.
Perhaps. But if at the present juno
ture the United States should take a
step so hostile to the allies as would
be that of embargoing munitions
destined to them, it is not safe to
assume that in future they would be
SO much disposed to befriend us. 1t is
quite as possible that France, Rus
sia, and Great Britain would be we'll
satisfied to see Germany's ambition
for expansion directed, not against
them, but against the United States,
against the American continent.
Germany would be reasonably out of
mischief in Europe if she were occu-
pied in the New World. Such an
adventure would give the European
powers time to rehabilitate them
selves and let Germany wear down
her strength fighting the United
States.
People who are disposed to take
seriously such utterances as these of
Mr.. Shackleford, should keep in
mind the fact that if this country
forbade the sale of munitions of
war it would be a reversal of all
our policies in this regard. Hereto
fore, we have sold munitions wher-
ever there was a buyer; bought
them, when we required, wherever
there was a seller. This has been
the rule of the world. Germany
created the huge munitions indus
try that has given her supreme pre-
paredness, by making a commercial
business of it; selling in whatever
market offered. Germany sold mu-
nitions to both sides in the Boer
war, in the Russo-Japanese war, in
the war between Spain and the
United States. The United States
would now be selling munitions to
both sides if both sides could secure
deliveries of them; the fact that the
seas are closed to Germany is the
only reason why Germany is not
buying here. In the civil war this
country-North and South alike
bought munitions wherever they
could be had.
1t would be peculiarly unneutral
act, now, to prohibit munitions
sales merely because deliveries
could be made to only one side in the
war. 1t would win the enmity of the
allies and the contempt of Germany.
1t would wreck the industry in this
country, and invite like embargoes
against US in the future by other
countries. Thus we might find our
selves attacked from abroad with no
munitions industry at home, and no
foreign country willing to sell to us.
1t is useless to attempt answer to
the vagaries about plots of the muni-
tions makers. That sort Of allega.