Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1917-03-31
A NATIONAL POLICY WHICH
WOULD PRESERVE OUR
RIGHTS, MAINTAIN PEACE
AND INCREASE OUR
PRESTIGE THROUGH
OUT THE WORLD.
(From the New York American of
March 30.)

4 MdlCH OUsj
We have never receded from our
first belief that the true policy of our
| country was, and is now, to form
!. and place ourselves at the head of a
league of neutral nations to compel
BOTH ENGLAND AND GERMANY
to let our ships and our citizens and
the ships and citizens of all other
neutral countries traverse the seas
on their lawful errands, unmolested
and unhindered.
We are absolutely convinced that
! such a policy would have gained it's
object without a gun having been
fired, and that the business of the
neutral world would have gone on
peacefully, and that we should now
be disturbed neither by any danger
of war abroad nor any factional diff
ferences or animosities at home.
We again earnestly invoke the at
tention of the Congress to, and it's
consideration Of, this sensible solu-
tion Of the difficult and dangerous
! situation in which our country and
all neutral countries now find them
selves placed
You Senators and Representatives
are fresh from contact with the peo-
|
90 not need TO tell you what you well
know-that the desire OF the major
ity Of your people is for peace, if
peace can be honorably maintained.
You KNOW that Is the way they talk
and feel
Now, peace CAN BE MAINTAINED
with honor and with credit to our
selves if we adopt the sensible and
/ statesmanliSe policy of putting our
selves at tho head Of league OF ALL
THE, NEUTRAL NATIONS to de-
mand strict and complete and inn
mediate observance by ALL THE
! BELLIGERENTS Of the plain and
well-established law of nations.
Neither England nor Germany is
observing the law Of nations or pay
ing the slightest regard to the rights
of neutral peoples, and the attitude
Of EVERY OTHER NEUTRAL GOV
ERNMENT but ours is that BOTH
these belligerents should be made to
conform to international law and to
cease their aggressions and their
| piracies upon the commerce of peace
able peoples.
The Spanish Government in an
authorized statement made to the
staff correspondent of The American
by tho Kings confidential adviser,
Don Sanchez dc Toca, has made it's
position definite and clear in these
words
Spain will not follow the
suggestion of the United States
and break relations with Ger
many on account of the sub
marine blockade, which violates
the rights of neutrals. Our
ships have been destroyed by
Germany and our trade hindered
by England until the Spanish
people find it difficult to SYM
pathize with either faction. Our
people demand peace"
The view taken by Spain, as well
| as by Holland, Denmark, Sweden,
Norway and the South American and
\ Central American republics, is that
BOTH Germany and England have
! grossly violated and abused the
| freedom of the seas and the rights
and sovereignty Of neutrals, and that
! the policy to be pursued is that Of
armed neutrality toward both until
the end of the war.
We say armed neutrality" be-
cause many seem to forget that all
the European neutrals have long
been under arms, with their entire
military and naval strength modified
and ready for instant action.
Just as we are now the only neu-
tral nation talking Of entering the
war, just so are we the only con-
siderable neutral nation which has
spent the whole period Of the war
without preparation or mobilization
of our resources for certainly
no great exhibition Of prudence and
foresight, to say the least
1t is indeed remarkable that this
nation, which we all expected to be
the recognized leader and head Of
! the neutral nations, should be alone
in an attitude which ALL the other
neutrals refuse to assume.
Instead being the recognized head
of the neutral Powers of the world
and the inevitable mediator, and the
spokesman of the neutral world in
demanding its rights and definite and
enforceable guarantees of their OBJ
! servance in future wars, and in maxi
ing certain hereafter and once for all
the freedom Of the seas in times Of
war as well as in times of peace, the
present policy is to put the United
States out of the company, even, of
neutrals--a strange reversal of the
true and natural position we held
under the Presidents admirable
policy during the earlier period of
Europe's dreadful war.
Now, it is certain that thoughtful
men are bound to ask themselves
whether it is indisputably true that
all the other neutral nations are
wrong in their attitude, and the atti-
tude that is being urged upon and to
somo extent forced upon our Govern
ment by powerful interests and clam
crous press propaganda is the only
right policy
We can hardly assume that ALL
I the other neutral Powers are pro-
German or are too cowardly to assert
their self-respect or too ignorant to
understand the true difference be-
tween the aggressions of England
and the aggressions or Germany upon
neutral rights and commerce.
Now, we feel absolutely certain
tn ~. 4ft4 .r.t,