Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-04-07
CAN NEUTRALS
REMAIN NEUTRALS?

President Wilson in his tour OF
certain sections of the country few
months ago uttered words which, Tor
time, startled most Americans
Among other things he said, sub
stantially, that while we might be
saying peace today there was no tell
ing what the morrow will bring forth,
The conservative Baltimore Sun, not
given to exploiting alarmlst I'M
pressions, has some thoughtful Do
servations upon the present condi-
ton of the world, which viii doubt
less attract the attention Of the
thoughtful. This paper suggests that
if the European war were conducted
by the bclligerents strictly according
to the conceded principles OF inter-
national law and of humanity, the
conflict still would have a practical
concern for the United States. we
could not even under the most favor
able circumstances avoid the lrrita-
ton and embarrassments which such
a struggle must contain FOR neutrals:
no matter how sincere the efforts OF
the parties to it to respect the rights
of those not engaged in it. But IN
der actual conditions the conflict has
become constant and direct men
ace to acknowledgements. Both SIDES
have deliberately repudiated the prln'
ciples of international law, and the
United States and other neutraiS
have few rights which either takes
the pains to respect. Instead OF I'M:
proving, these conditions grow worse
Great Britain has not endangered Am
erican life. it is true, but she docs
not hesitate to treat us with supreme
contempt on the sea. She seizes our
Sims and carries them into her ports:
she rifles our mails; she halts our
vessels on the high seas and takes
from them passengers under the pro-
lection of the American flag, and SIG
interposes her veto on our purchase
of ships formerly belonging to Ger
man companies. She has had no oc-
casion to sink ships carrying Amerl-
cans, but whether. if she had been m
Germany's situation she would have
done it is a question that no one can
answer. One thing is certain, and
that is that she has gone as far as
she has deemed necessary. On tine
other had, Germany ha Murdered
Americans on the high seas, and she
would have held up our commerce, just
as Great Britain has done, if she had
been able to do so. In word, the
desperation of this contest for suprc-
macy has led all the belligerents to
treat neutral rights with absolute dis
regard and to adapt policy of des"
potic reckessness on the one side
and of frightfulness on the other.
The practical question is, how much
longer can neutrals remain ncutra!
under such pressure? Will they not
be forced as a matter OF self-pre'
scryation to take sides actively! II
the war continues for another year
as Reginald McKenna, tn" British
Chancellor of the Exchcqucr, predicts
will the United States. Holland, Nor
,yav, Sweden and Denmark be able tc
keen out of it? Holland already Is
putting herself in an attitude to Fcpci
further cncroachmcnt: Norway IS IN,
censed over the continued sinking Of
her vessels by U-boats; and we arg
in a position which at any moment
NAV force, US to resent injuries 1ol
which no future indemnity can atone
To be perfectly frank, if We have t.
take a hand in .hc WAY, il vii! not b'
because tn" "rc;,t majority OF TIT
,coplc of the United States low
Great Brita;! uc". han they 90 Ger
many. but because Germany seems
ast,,i5is,e &c representative OF. brute
ar.s. ap1i beca,''" her crimes agains
es5iiSs. tiod' and against oursclvc:
pv,.rshadog those of her adversary.
ii tFis ;.ppareat:y defiant tcmpel
on nuslf s;des and the determination
4. c,sca Ia resort to aI?3 means /,
rr;ny,Ie 5ls antagonist without regarc
/ Is asets..t rights, thai constitutes
,.,..is,. 81 Chancellor, vca Beth
..s}.9. 3i4ei gives Us no ;;$ $5
,,-Fs,I, He says Germany ha
= ttesi on Cana,lH. o. SausA a"
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