The Washington times., 1917-01-04
THE UNBIASED FEARS OF THE
ENTENTE

Inc LOnuOn MOIilLS l. Wv 1oAio
into an error, of which there has
been other evidence, in assuming
that there is danger Of the United
States trying to stop the war by
shutting off the export of war sup
plies to the entente powers. 1t is
sues a warning to the United States
that such a course, taken in the
midst of war, would amount to a
breach of neutrality.
British and French agencies in
this country ought to and doubtless
do know that there is no longer dan
ger of this country assuming such
an attitude. 1t is true that there
are two classes of people, both of
them considerable in numbers, that
would applaud such a move. There
are the sentimental pacifists who are
perfectly sincere in their belief that
it is wrong to send war material
abroad; who appealingly urge that
the United States ought not to con-
tribute anything to perpetuate such
horror as the worldly war. These
have no Interior motive, and no in
formation to which reasoning about
such technical matters as neutrality
may hope to appeal.
The other class who would indorse
sweeping embargo, are those who
want the central empires to win the
war. These two classes are, in gen.
eral, antagonistic in about every
thing save their agreement that this
country should quit supplying peo-
pie means to fight; and the realiza-
ton of this fact has been responsible
in the last year for a great many
of the former group changing their
attitude. There is today a clearer
perception of the truth about this
whole matter, than there was at an
early stage of the war.
In recent months, because of some
unfortunate things that were said
and written during the Presidential
campaign, the entente nations have
displayed some misgivings over the
possibility of "freak Legislation" of
some sort in this country. Probably
their misgivings have not been
ameliorated by the Presidents peace
efforts, so-called, though a better
understanding of those efforts is be-
ginning to be noted in the comments
of press and public abroad. The
Europeans are coming to understand
that the Presidents identic note was
an identic note in rather a formal
manner; its intent was to convey to
the central nations a realization that
this country was nearing the end OF
its patience with them. Germany
hailed the note as pro-German in eff
feet; the allies received it as likely,
whether intended or not, to aid Ger
many's efforts for a peace at the
time most suspicious for Germany,
But in the last few days it has been
evident that the Germans are less
pleased and the western nations less
displeased with the American utter
ance. It is better understood and
more accurately appraised. Secre'
1 tary Lansing was not, in his first
note of explanation, giving warning
that this country is on the verge OF
war with the allies; very obviously
he had the central group in mind
and nobody with a worthwhile un.
Outstanding of sentiment in this
country could believe anything else.
The joint numbers and influence
of all the elements which would
favor embargoes by this country, are
insufficient to justify any fears Of
such a policy being adopted. This
country is not going to make SC
egregious blunder; is not going tt
make it, because the great majority
of Americans have wobbled right or
this question. We have done some
muddling, ourselves; but the British
nation ought to be charitable. II
knows all about that process of get
ting on.
1t is needless for English news
paper to "warn" this country, be
cause this country needs no warn
ing. 1t is not going to do anything
SO foolish or so incorrect as the Lon
don Morning Post fears. If there
had ever been a chance to pass EN-
barge legislation, it would have
passed long ago. There is not tn,
ghost of chance, and the British
press and public ought to be wei
enough informed to understand tha
fact.
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