Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-02-26

\
theirs" said he will lead to war. War
can come only by the wilful acts and
aggressions Of others"
| When word reached the capitol that
| the president would address congress
the senate judiciary committee was
considering an armed neutrality bill It
| would make it lawful to employ land
/, or navy forces to enforce laws Of ma
F; tions by treaties or conventions to
| which the United States Is party or
! by the statutes Of the United States.
Senators Admit Confusion.
Senators admit confusion as to Just
what power the measure would exert.
1t is probable that the authority that
the president asks will be embodied in
a joint resolution.
The resolution Of Senator Fall now
before the senate foreign relations
committee would authorize the presi-
dent to instruct and direct the COM
| manders Of the armed vessels Of the
United States to extend protection to
the vessels and property of the citi-
zens of the United States, and seize
and bring into port and destroy If un-
able to seize armed vessels of the CEN
trail powers, and Particularly of the
imperial German government, which
have committed or found committing
depredations on vessels of citizens of
the United States, contrary to interna-
tional law, or of vessels conveying cit
izens of the United States or their
property
1t also would provide for defense of
vessels against search and seizure and
in the event Of declaration of war or
Of imminent danger Of war before the
session of the next congress, would
authorize the president tor aise an aG-
dtiional army OF 100000 men.
Precedent For Action.
The acts Of congress in 1898 were in
the aggregate something like the bill.
introduced Saturday in the senate by
Senator Fall The president then was
instructed to direct naval officers to
bring into port any armed vessel found
sovereign on the coast of the United
States and committing depredations
on American ships. They also were
instr ucted to retake any captured
American ships.
Another authorized merchant ships
to be armed. Communication with
France was forbidden.
On July I, 1898, President Adams
approved an act reciting that since
treaties repeatedly had been violated
by France. just claims for reperation
refused and a system Of predatory vio-
lence had been pursued by the French
government the United States were
''of right freed and exonerated from
the stipulations Of the treaties" and
that these compacts should not
Lenceforth be regarded as legally obli.
gatory on the government or citizens
of the United States
Later in the same year further pro-
vision was made for augmenting the
army and George washington ac-
cepted the chief Of command.
After many acts against American
commerce bound for England, France,
on Jan. 1s, 1898, decreed that every
vessel found at sea loaded with mer-
.chandise produced in England could. be
made prize.
Many American vessels were seized
and in June, 1898, President Adams
obtained authority from congress to
protect the American marine.
Provisions were made to authorize
OIL W CApC1 6AAAC1lo, W uc1cuO
merchant ships against French war
vessels and to enable the president to
borrow money.
The attorney general held that the
acts Of France and the legislation by
congress gave him the opinion that
there not only existed not only
maritime war between France and the
United States, but maratime war
actually declared by both nations"
Years after France agreed to pay 25,-
100000 francs to satisfy American
claims altho many years before that
time her depredations on American
commerce had ceased.
Not Rev In Present war.
During the present war, Holland and
Switzerland have maintained what
amounts to be armed neutrality, altho
it has been confined to land.
Armed neutrality was adopted by the
United States soon after 1878 when
war broke out between France and
Spain and France and Great Britain
Neutrals became alarmed at the dam
gers in the seas and the empress of
Russia undertook to unite them to pro-
tect their interests. This formed the
basis of treaties between Russia, Swe-
den, Denmark, Holland, and Portugal.
They formed league to preserve
inviolate the rights of neutrals. These
declarations were recognized by the
treaty of peace between France and
England and was the established law
when the United States was recognized
as independent by the powers Of the
world.
other NeutraIs May Join.
While there was no indication that
President Wilson was intending to ask
other neutrals to join in armed neu-
trality the fact that he already had in
yited them to join this country in
breaking off diplomatic relations,
caused some speculation as to whether
he would ask them to join the United
States in such a move. There is his
toric precendent for such an action.
Holland, Norway and Spain especially,
with their merchant marine being rap
idly destroyed, might consider seriously
Joining the United States.
Pacifioists Listen in Silence.
From the democrats and republicans
who have been pressing for action in
the situation there were vigorous mods
OF approval. Ine ele1IeHt CtdSSeu dS
pacificists heard the address In silence
and when 1t was over refrained from
expression.
To the very end Of the address there
was no applause butt at its conclusion
there was storm of cheering and
hand clapping.
Senator Stone thought q resolution
would be first presented IN the house,
SO it might carry an appropriation.
Senator Simmons said he believed