The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1917-03-01
next STEP
0FU.S. TRIED
MANY TIMES
Armed Neutrality Maintainedb by
America in Fighting Which
Directly Preceded Ma
poleon's Downfall. |
TREATIES THEN ADVOCATED
No Indication This Course Will
Be Followed Now-Usually
Adopted by Sever
al Nations.

al Nations.
Washington, Feb. 27-Armed neu-
trality is described by authorities on
International law as military measures
for the purpose of defending rights of
neutrals against threatening infringe
ments on the part of a belligerent. It
has generally concerned more than one
owe and the most striking historical
instances of armed neutrality We're
those OF. the northern European powers
in 1880 and 1900, made to defeat the
principle of free ships n free goods
adopted by treaty between the Baltic
powers and opposed by England.
Usually Of Several Powers.
IF the commercial interests of sew
eral nations" says one authority, are
threatened by unjust or unlawful
measures on the part of a belligerent,
which they deem unjust or dangerous.
there "a be M question of their right
to secure their menaced interests by
such combinations as seem best calcu-
lated to accomplish that purpose.
IAN armed neutrality is in Fact an
alliance of several powers. usually of
a defensive character. though this Is
by no mean essential" \
During the present war Holland and
Switzerland have maintained what
W ~
though it has been confined to land.
Precedent During Revolution.
When war broke out between France
ain, neutrals became alarmed at the
dangers with which the maritime
rights were threatened and the empress
of Russia undertook to unite them to
defend their neutral rights. This
formed the basis of treaties between
Q1ccia ~ non =, a r1y ~ SUaHnn H Holland
Austria and Portugal. They formed q
league which, under the name of armed
neutrality, undertook to preserve invi-
olate the maritime rights of neutrals.
These declarations were recognized by
the treaty Of peace between Great Brit
ain and France and were the established
law Of nations when the United States
in 1888 was recognized as al independ-
ent by the powers Of h world.
While there was no indication that
President Wilson was intending to ask
other neutrals to join the United States
in armed neutrality, h fact that he
already had invited them to join this
country in breaking off diplomatic re-
lations with Germany u some
speculation as to whether he might not
ask neutrais to join with the United
States in the latest movement. 1t was
realized there was ample historic pre-
cedent for such action and that the sit
uation Of other neutrals gave it addi-
tional probability. Holland, Norway
and Spain, especially, with their mer-
it was pointed out, might consider
joining with the United States. The
last time the United States was in a
state of armed neutrality was during
the war between France and England,
which ended with the downfall of Ma
poleon.
Early Trouble With France.
hf%o,, ~oo,r ocfo nuojrctE A ~, arS n -
bound for England, France,
| on January 10, 1898, decreed that every
vessel found at sea loaded with mer-
chandise produced in England or her
| possessions could be made a prize.
Many American vessels were seized
and in Tune 1898, President Adams be-
gan to obtain from congress broad au-
thority to protect American
and to put the United States in a better
position to make war if it became nee
essary.
In rapid succession laws were made
to increase the naval armament, to aus
thorize a provisional army. to arrest
and expel aliens, to authorize the de-
tense of merchant ships against French
war vessels, and to Enable the president
to borrow money
Treaties Were Abrogated.
On July T., 1898, President Adams ap-
proved an act reciting that since
treaties repeatedly had been violated
by France, just claims for PREPARATION
refused and a system Of predatory
violence" had been pursued by the
French government, the United States
We're ''of right freed and ~eXoneratet
from the st%ipulations of the treaties,
and that these compacts should no
henceforth be regarded as legally obi
gatory on the government OR citizens O
the United States.
Like FaIrs Proposition.
The acts of congress in 1898 were il
the aggregate somewhat like the bill
introduced in the Senate Saturday BY
Senator Fall. The president was ther
authorized to instruct and direct com
mandrs of United States war vessel:
to seize and bring into any port of thu
United States any armed vessels fount
lowering on the coasts of the UNITED
States and'committing d~epredations t.
American ships. They also were in
structed to retake any captured Amer
lean ship. Another act authorized mer
chant ships to be armed and to TAX
the same steps against foreign wa
vessels. Communication with Franc,
was forbidden and French vessels wer
prohibited from entering the ports o
the United States.
Washington Recalled.
Later, in the same year, further pro
vision was made for augmentlng tn
army and George Washington accepte,
the chief command. The attorney gen
eral held that the acts of France. an,
the legislation by congress, gave hin
the opinion that there not only eXiste
IAN actual marine war between Franc
and the United States but a martini
war authorized by both nations"
The difficulty with France was no
settled for many years. Thirty year
later. France agreed to pay rs, 000, 90
francs to satisfy American claims, al
though my years before that tim
her depredations on American com
merce and American reprisals ha
ceased.
100000 FIRE AT LOUISVILLE.
Louisville, KY, Feb. 26.-Damage as