Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-02-26
WILSON ASKS CONGRESS
FOR ARMED NEUTRALITY

leave port brought him TO the de-
! ed.
When President Wilson announced
to Congress the severance of diplo-
matte relations with Germany, he said
he was unable to believe that Ger
many would sacrifice American rights
in the campaign of ruthIessness which
she had proclaimed. but added:
IF this inveterate confidence on my
part in the sobriety and prudent fore
sight OF their purpose should unhap-
| PLY prove unfounded; If American
ships and American lives should in fact
be sacrificed by their (German) COM
manders in needless contravention of
the just and reasonable understand
ings of international law and the OBJ
Vlous dictates of humanity, l shall take
the liberty of coming again before
Congress to ask that authority be Civ
en- me to use any means that may be
necessary for the protection of our
seamen and our people in the prosecu-
ton of their peaceful and legitimate
errands on the high seas. 1 can do
nothing less"
Armed Neutrality
Armed neutrality is described by au-
thorities on international law as mill
LOT TIE purpose OIL de-
tending rights of neutrals against
threatening infringements on the part
OF belligerent. 1t has generally con-
cerned more than one power and the
most striking historical instances of
armed neutralities were those of the
Northern European powers in 1880
and 1900, made to defend the princi-
pie free ships and free goods adopted
by treaty between the Baltic powers
and opposed by England
IF the commercial interests of sew
efal nations" says one authority, "are
threatened by unjust and unlawful
measures on the part of a belligerent,
which they deem unjust and danger
Gus, there can be no question of their
right to secure their menaced inter-
ests by such combinations as seem best
calculated to accomplish that pur-
pose.
An armed neutrality is in fact an
alliance of several powers, usually of
defensive character, though this is
by no means essential"
During the present war Holland and
Switzerland have maintained what
amounts to armed neutrality, although
1t has been confined to land.
NcutraIs Become Alarmed
When war broke out between France
and Spain and France and Great Brit
dangers with which the maritime
rights were threatened and the en-
press of Russia undertook to unite
them in defense of their neutral rights
This formed the basis of treaties be-
tween Russia, Denmark, Sweden, Hol-
land, Austria and Portugal. They form
ed league which under the name of
armed neutrality undertook to pre-
serve inviolate the maritime rights of
neutrals. These declarations were rec
ognized by the treaty of peace be-
tween Great Britain and France and
were the established law of nations
when the United States in 1888 was
recognized as Independent by the pow
ers of the world.
President Wilson will point out that
rights of other neutrals have been af-
fected but that they have shown no
dispuosition to follow the course laid
out by the United States. No new di-
rect appeal is made to them.
May Again Ask Neutrals
While there was no Indication that
President Wilson was intending to ask
other neutrals to join the United States
in armed neutrality, the fact that he
already had invited them to join this
country in breaking off diplomatic re-
lations with Germany aroused some
speculation as to whether he might
not ask neutrals to join with the
1t was realized that there was am
pie historic precedent for such action
and that the situation of other neutrals
gave it additional probability. Hol-
land, Norway and Spain especially,
with their merchant marine being rap
idly destroyed, it was pointed out,
might consider joining with the United
States.
The last time the United States was
in state of armed neutrality was dur
ing the war between France and Eng
land, which ended in the downfall of
Napoleon.
When word reached the Capitol that
the President would address Congress
the Senate Judiciary Committee was in
session considering one of the armed
neutrality bills proposed by the De-
partment of Justice. 1t would make
it lawful to employ land and naval
forces to enforce ANY or all obliga-
tions imposed blythe United States by
the law of nations by treaties or con-
ventions to which the United States
is party or by the statutes of the
United States"
Senators admit confusion as to lust
what power the measure would extend.
1t is probable the authority the Presi-
dent asks will be embodied in a sep
arate joint resolution.