Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-02-27
ARMED NEUTRALITY.

hurry which some of the people dis
play. In his address to Congress Mon
day he spoke the wishes of majority,
and a vast majority, of the American
citizens. The great masses of the peo-
pie expressed their humble opinion in
their alter ego, no other that the great
President.
There exists a virtual blockade of
American ports with American boats
flying the Stars and Stripes, and this
situation has become a menace. Presi-
dent Wilson sees it as plainly as any
American, and the strong likelihood is
that he saw it before many Americans
for witness his words in the address
to Congress when he notified them of
tie severance of relations between the
United States and Germany. President
Wilson said then, Il shall take the
liberty of coming before Congress
again to ask that authority be given
me to use any means that may be nee
essary for the protection of our sea-
men and our people in the prosecution
OF their peaceful and legitimate errands
on the high seas. can do nothing
else" These words are evidence that
the President felt serious condition
would result because of fears made ac-
tive by American shipping interests.
The great interest with which tho
sentiments of President Wilson were
heard showed first in the American
Line officials who have had a number
of their boats. tied at the New York
docks. They announced that their boats
would sail Immediately if they were
allowed to arm for protection-there
is no spark of cowardice in American
sailors if they are permitted to play
the game as it is played everywhere.
They go further and say that their
ships will sail unarmed if convoyed by
American warships.
We feel that it should be only in the
extreme necessity that American bat :
tleships would accompany our ship
ping across the seas and through dan
ger zones. If it becomes essential for
American shipping to safely navigate
the war zones only with the protection
of our warships, hen let them be used
in every instance. But, we believe that
our merchantmen can be armed for
purposes of defense and that they will
move with a minimum of danger. 1t
cannot be expected that We can navi-
gate the seas made veritable hell by
German submarines without losses.
Then, these losses will become an
overt act"--and one which will call
for stern decision.
A further break with Germany can
hardly be avoided if both nations per-
sist in their announcements. That
break is to be greatly regretted. If the
United States must enter the great
struggle in Europe, let it come in de-
Tense of our rights, although we have
made a serious mistake by the contin-
ual harping of the rights of human
ity" without action to enforce those
rights so far as we are capable.
AS for the other neutrals, it is mainly
secondary. 1t can be only at the last
extreme that Holland, Denmark. Swed-
en- and Norway will break relations
with the Teutons, much less declare
war. Their friendship is valued by the
United States and their aid would be
accorded the praise which it deserves
But, the United States is now about its
own business, and let us follow that
course which demands the protection
of our rights.
Our wars have never been fought
through enmity of other nations but
only in defense of what we deemed
were our rights Such course gave
birth to the American Revolution; the
wars in later years with Great Britain
and even to the War Between the
States. If our forefathers had no fears
Of the future, though it be at the cost