The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-02-09
SEVERANCE.
tcontInued rrom FIrst Papsl

Russian camps extending to the icy
wastes OF Siberia will have to be
confined to other hands.
Likewise the welfare of British,
French, Russian and other allied
prisoners in Germany, Austria and
Turkey will pass to some other neu-
tral power.
The ministering hand of the Uni
ted States, which has cared for these
men, lost to their homes and friends,
which has brought them food, cloth
ing and medicine, and helped to cheer
desolate existence, will be with
drawn. Someone else will have to
take up the cause of humanity on
land while the United States, by sew
ering diplomatic relations with Ger
many, makes protest against the vio-
lation of humanity on sea.
History OF Breaks
Precedent for the severance Of dip
lomatic relations is found in modern
history only between lesser nations
and between first-elass powers and
lesser one.
The United States suspended diplo-
matte relations with Mexico and only
recently were they resumed. 1t sus-
pended diplomatic relations with Mic
aragua when the dictator Zelaya exc
cuted two Americans, Cannon and
Groce.
When John Quincy Adams was
president the American charge daft
faires at Rio demanded his passports
and returned to the United States
without instructions because he con-
sidered unwarranted the capture of
American ships by Brazilian war YES
sells enforcing a blockade.
President Adams didn't disapprove
but Brazil contended the charges ac-
ton was unwarranted by adequate
international cause" and later the
American legation was reopened.
Under President Buchanan the
American minister to Mexico sus-
pended the relations of his legation
until he could get the view of the I'm
tied States on what he considered
forced loans upon Americans in Mex
co. Although President Buchanan
did not agree with the minister's ac-
ton, because OF wrongs to Americans
in Mexico.
Great Britain suspended diplomatic
relations with Venezuela for ten years
from 1887 to 1897 and suspended
diplomatic relations with Serbia from
1903 to 1906 after the murder of
King Alexander and Queen Draga.
After the breaking of diplomatic
relations comes the possibility of 9th
er measures termed ''non-amicable |
modes of redress" which also are
measures short OF war" These
modes of redress may include repris-
ais, retaliations ,non-intercourse and
display of force and still there may
be no state of war. There are pre-
cedents of various sort and range for
such action.
Embargoes Have Been Many
In 1870 congress authorized Presi-
dent U. S. Grant to suspend transit of
goods to Canada bond as an ex-
treme measure to prohibit Canadian
vessels in American waters because of
the attitude of the Canadian govern
ment toward American fishermen.
An embargo on ships or exports is
legitimate. Congress imposed such
in the years preceding the
war of 1912, on trade with both Eng
land and France. AS a rule those
were pacific embargoes and prevent
ed American ships from carrying
goods to the embargoed countries.
Great Britain in 1903, however, laid
a hostile embargo on Dutch vessels
in British ports.
Non-intercourse acts can be passed
by congress to stop commerce be-
tween the United States and Ger
many, but as the war already has
put the trade at low ebb the effect
will be negligible. Such acts were
passed against Great Britain and
France between 1898 and 1909.
Displays of force have been fire.
luently used by the United States and
European powers to impress the earn
estness of their position. Writers
If international law class the allied
march to the relief of the legations
1t Peking as display of force short
)t war.
When all the measures short of
var have been exhausted or either :
lation decides to dispense with them
zones the eventuality-war itself.
Fighting Often Preceded War
More than one hundred times since
200, war has begun before it was
ormally declared. Only twelve times
n the 216 years has war actually
,een declared before hostilities be-
,an. The latest notable instance
vas the opening action of the Russo
apanese war when Admiral Toga
truck a Russian fleet. Russia COM I
Dlained of surprise attack but Jap
n pointed out she had notified Rus
id she was breaking off diplomatic
elations and reserved the right to
AXE "such independent action as
night be deemed best"
The Hague convention of 1907 took
Iotice Of the situation and adopted an
i ticle making it mandatory for a
.atlOn to declare war before begin
ling hostilities. Germany and the
United States, with other nations, !
greed to it and also agreed that neu- Z
raj powers must be notified of the
tate of war without delay.
1t provided, however, that there [
night be an ultimatum with condi-
lonal declaration of war The Hague
onyontions and the fabric of inter
koaw s