The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1916-05-11

ly mean?
In the first place, it doe
not necessarily mean that war is t,
follow, but it is admitted on all side
that the breaking of such ties doe
represent step nearer to actual war
fare.
The discontinuance of diplomatic
ties has occurred many times in his,
tory, but there is never any visible
signs of what the step means. Oh
course there is always the hasty pack
ing of diplomatic luggage, hasty fare
wells and quick departure. Safe con-
duct is always provided for ambassa-
doris who have been recalled or handed
| their passports.
Treaties are not suspended; COM
mercial relations, directly or Indirect
ly, are not affected.
Sometimes in cases of the severance
of such relations the consuls are sent
home also, but this is not always the
case, as these are not diplomatic off
GERS, but commercial representatives.
Communications end; the two nations
"stop speaking to each other" in very
much the same manner as our childrn
snub their former friends when they
pass on the streets.
1t was said before the present crisis
with Germany that such interests as
caring for American archives or
Americans remaining in Germany
would be intrusted by the United
States to another neutral-Spain, Hoi-
land or Sweden. Germany would
probably give her interests over to her
allv Austria, and if by chance diplo-
matte relations between this country
and the dual monarchy were inter-
rupted Sweden might be asked to care
for Teutonic affairs.
The vital thing for Germany would
be the sudden unloading by the Unit
ed States of the task--graciously as
sumed at the outbreak of the war and
maintained with considerable effort
and painstaking care since then-of
handling of German interests in Great
Britain, Russia, France, Servia and
Japan. German prisoners of war have
benefited by American supervision,
OF course the United States would
have to relinquish similarly her con-
nection with British, French, Russian,
Belgian, Servian and Japanese inter
ests in Germany Some other neutral
country-perhaps Argentina-would
take over the burden,
SO much for the visible Characters
tics of a break in relations. They are
so few and comparatively so unimpor-
tant as to imply certain futility oil
procedure when the objects to be at
tanned are considered. There is, how
ever, greater and much more Inn
pressive side to the step which would
make it cause for grave thought
moment of apprehension as well as of
genuine sorrow 1t would send thro
the world a thrill of eXcitement-a
sensation of expectancy-because the
of diplomatic relations has
in so many cases been the precursor
of war. Another attack on unreslst-
ing vessels carrying Americans, an
other sea tragedy, and the popular
imagination would see red" Reason
in the morality of interna-
tional intercourse, the foundation
stone of diplomatic relationship
would have failed. The alternative re-
course to arms alone would remain,
making the incidental quarrel of a
belligerent with a neutral a casus
belli.
Many precedents are available to
the researcher, proving that sever
ance of diplomatic relations has not |
always brought on war. Peru and
Chile are today without diplomatic
representation at Santiago and Lima,
respectively. After the execution of
Emperor Macmillan, an Austrian
archduke, at Queretaro, Mexico. in
1867, diplomatic relations with Mexi-
co were broken by Austria Hungary