Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27

Washington, d. c., Feb. 2S. Armed
neutrality, such as President Wilson
contemplates in his addresses to con-
gress, Is described by authorities on
international law as military measures
for the purpose of defending rights OF
neutrals against threatening infringe
ments. Declaration of armed neutral.
ity does not constitute declaration
of war, nor is it regarded as an act OF
war.
than one power and the most striking
historical instances OF armed neutral
tiles were those Of the northern Europ-
can powers In 1880 and 1900 made to
defend the principle Of free ships and
free goods adopted by treaty between
the Baltic powers and opposed by Eng
land.
IF the commercial interests of sew.
eral nations" says one authority, ARE
threatened by unjust or unlawful
measures on the part of belligerent.
which they deem unjust or dangerous
there can be no question Of their right
to secuIe their menaced interests by
such combinations as seem best ca'cu-
lated to accomplish that purpose"
When war broke out between France
and Spain and Great Britain, neutrals
became alarmed at the dangers with
which the maritime rights were threat
ened and the Empress Of Russia under
took tu unite them in defense of their
neutral rights. This formed the basis
Of treaties between Russia, Denmark,
Sweden. Holland, Austria and Portugal.
They formedka leaeue which under the
name Of armed neutrality undertook
to preserve !nviolate the maritime
rights Of neutrals
While there was no indication that
President Wilson was intending to ask
in armed neutrality, the fact that he al
ready had invited them to join this
country in breaking Off diplomatic rela-
tions with Germany aroused some
speculation as to whether he might not
ask neutrals to Join with the United
States in the latest move.
II was realized that there was ample
historic precedent for such action and
that the situation OF other neutrals
gave it additional probability.
U. S. Fought Napoleon.
The last time the United States was
in state of armed neutrality was dur.
ing the war between France and Eng.
land. which ended with the downfall Of
Napoleon.
After many acts against American
commerce bound for England. France
on January 1s. 1898. decreed that every
vessel found at sea loaded with mer-
chandise produced in England or her
possessions could be made prize.
Many American vessels were seized
and in June 1898, President Adams be-
gan to obtain from congress broad
authority to protect American con,
merce and to put the United States in
better position to make war.
Laws were made to increase the
navy armament. to authorize nrovi.
sional army, to arrest and expel Aliens,
to authorize the defense Of merchant
ships against French war vessels and
to enable the president to borrow
money.
Further provision was made for aug
menting the army and George Wash
ington accepted the chief command.
The acts of congress in 1898 were
somewhat like the bill introduced in
the senate Saturday by Senator Fall.
The president was authorized to direct
commanders Of United States war ves-
sells to bring into any port of the Unit.
ed States any ships committing depre-
dations on American ships. They also
were instructed to re-take any cuptur.
ed American ships. Another act auth
orized merchant ships to be armed and
take the same steps against foreign
war vessels