Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-02-09
NEUTRALITY Of
U.S.TOO FORMAL.
GERMAN BELIEF
f ra0kfurter Zeitung Asserts
President Has Followed In
tenationaI Law Too Literal
Iyand Not Used Spirit Of h

to- MORNING JousssL sprcist LrSsro wissi
Frankfort, Germany tvia London.
Feb. $, II y. mD--The Frankturtcr
Ieltung, one Of the most moderate
organs Of public opinion in Germany
in international affairs and one Of
the most conciliatory during the Luz
sltania crisis. notes that President
Wilson's ST. Louis speech appears
TO have been more peaceful than the
previous one" Yet, the Frankfurter
Icitune Is unable to agree with some
Of the statements Of the president II
answers President Wilson'S assertion
that the United states has shown true
neutrality by declaring that "Presi-
dent Wilson's conception Of neutral
~ has been too formal and LITERAL
The paper admits the presidents
right 20 sympathizc with England,
but asserts that tho feeling has pre-
vented him from dolns justice to
Gormanys position in a grave strus-
gle for national existence has caused
him to form a false judgment regard
ing Germany's struggle and her
means Of conducting ii, and owing to
these false conclusions, he has spok-
en- to the two bellipcronts in tone
which undoubtedly was not Impair
tial"
Referring TO the presidents words
that America had Introduced no new
interpretations into international re-
lntionship but had adhered clearly to
the meaning Of International docu-
ments the Frankfurtcr zeitung does
not doubt the president has this CON
Nictlcn. but adds.
Precisely the fact that he has il. is
his neutrality enthusiastically TO-
wards England little friendly to-
wards us and our allies
at the beginning of the war he
had an opportunity TO erect a stand
ard Of international law. firm and
pndouhtable, in the midst of the war
That was when the neutrals, upon
Swcden's initiative, appealed to AM
erica through common action. to as
sert the rights Of neutrals in war at
sea II President Wilson had fol- /
lowed this proposal, international law
would have Jared better than by
burning the flame he has heen keep
ing upon It's altar.
The freedom Of trade and navlga- /
ton Of neutrals. guaranteed by in /
tcrnational law, would meyer have I
been strangled and hmdered as has
been done hy England since the be- /
ginning Of the war Consequently
IL woulc never have been necessary
~ conduct submarine warfare in the /
form forced upon us by (
England's reckless starving-out war (
fare"
After citing the presidents words I
about the acknowledgements that may
-tll arisc through vessels being at !
lacl'ec IN the war zone, the paper ex-
presses the opinion that it could hard +
~ have been the Lusitania question
which has in the past few days caus-
I'd q dangerous tension in German
American relations. Nevertheless, i I
believes that no man with common
sense can conceive that two great ma
lions should quarrel, even 60 to war,
over this affair which have
thousand reasons for living at peace
with each other now and in the flu
ure.
Referring to President Wilson's re-
marks about patience and forehear-
incc for those who have lost their
equilibrium through the war, the
t'ranlSfurter Zeltung sees in this a
'onciliatory spirit, although il points
IN, it Is not clear who is meant.