Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1917-02-15

VIEWS OF THE NEUTRALS ON The Law VI LIE 0EA
The presumption continues that the United States will soon
be with the Gemanc alliance but the logic of events the
operation of forces outside well inside the main theater
of action continually changing the facts which such
an evenuaty would hinge The presumption that there will
based upon the original fact that the president at an
early stage of the European hoses asserted postuate per
tanning the conduct of marine warfare that could scarcely
fail end in involving the United States; and upon the coat
era fact that subsequent steps taken by the Washington gov
eminent always and universally conceded
do The Tribune confidently believes will be SO IN
this instance although there is bare posso that suc re-
suit may be averted
The present main chance becoming involved lies in
the president having addressed the other neutral nations ask
ing their cooperation in the sunderng of friendly relations
with the Geanc states because of the character OF sea war
had announced immediate and uncomromlslng
policy The purpose of this address, understood was not SO
much ncte further enemies against the Germanic states as
procure authoritative expression of neutral sentiment IN
sufficient volume and severity to perhaps deter the central
powers pursuing the Objectionable This object
instead of having been achieved to have had
quite contrary result The other neutral do not seem
take the view of the enoy of the German offending
the president does and they decline with surprising unan
nifty to identify themselves with the European CONFUSION or
pass judgment the rights of the respective
combatants Most them formal protests to be
where their national shipping might be adversely affected
but these preenses do not the validity of the
protests against British violations of national rights
the American protests initial and voluntary while
the present neutral protests induced and involuntary
The president it is evident will not take the present
neutral views into consideration forming the national course
however much he might have done had their conceded
with his own altogether the end of it. Con-
to be asked for authority to the American land and
forces foreign service for the protection and defense of
American lives and ships and there be reluctance to
grant such authority where begeent shipping is the main
issue and American life engaged foreign service merely
mote incident This authority would have doubt have
been readily granted under of the propaganda that
been zeaouy foered in this country had it not been for
the appeal made to the other neua and their hav
ing bearing international law and the duty of neutra
The nation has had virtually but side of the and
been assured and again. officially and unoffcialy
that the law plain and the duty mandatory There was
nothing else that the people could get hold Of line of moder
ate and reasoned counsel voice asking deal and
chance to survive for great and suffering misguided
of Gods creatures the in congress in the
try at large.
The voice of the other neutras still have little
effect congress- but at least will have presented another
side and presented something to think about If the
ative voice still for doubtless will be- it will
that the heart and mind of the country rrevocaby in
that direction and that this should must then become the unit
ed and ndvsbe voice of the entire nation This all the
readily be since there why the
English and the American ties compelling and ndssoube
why the United States is situated differently from the other
neutras and why the president under commitments that the
others free from These valid and others
valid have been ned into American until there has
left nothing to think about except when where and how to
climb the European cemetery The statements of all the
other neutra and their interpretations of law of honor and of
duty the law honor and duty that the United States is
interpreting, will probably alter the national purposes
the least but it at least show that there
ways of looking situation and while the American
looking at it is doubtless the right stands alone
all the neutra choosing the side instead of the
side of debatable Observation-Disclosures
THE GERMAN DIT EMMA