Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1917-03-08

A reader of the Record from the
south end of the county has asked us
to explain editorially the conditions
surrounding the neutrality stand of
this nation so far as shipment of am
munition and supplies is concerned. 1t
seems that there are many who argue
that we are unneutral in allowing Eng
land, France and their allies to buy
arms and ammunition and other sup
plies in this country, when Germany
is not getting any of the same things
for her side. The breaking of dip!o-
matte relations recently makes the sit
uaton different than it was before. But
rs to the shipping of munitions, pre-
vous to the break, the conditions were
rs follows:
The United States had declared for
n neutral stand between the warning
countries. In other words, we de
clared unimpaired friendship for both
sides. Therefore, to be neutral, we
must treat each as though there was
no var. In time of peace, our business
interests are welcome to deal with any
foreign government. Therefore, in
time of war between two forigen ma
tons, SO long as neither Injuries or at
tcmpts to injure, both nations are vel
come to continue their trade with us.
In the present war, England ha., built
up massive fleet at tremendous cost.
She was able to sweep the German
shipping from tn water. Sac applied
nj our shores for wheat, for ammuni-
ton. for guns and for suppl;se in gen.
oral. She was welcome t, them in
time of peace. land, as we remained ncu-
trail, our position has not changed. Nuw
Germany was also on friendly terms
with us and she was equally welcome
to trade with Us. Sh. cont not do 50,
however, because her feet was secure
~ hidden II HclGoll,, AID her mcrch-
ant ships had raccI for home or had
tied up in rcutrh' rH''", ~ escape
the Il: itish Harsh.a- Hence, in act
ual fact, our trade has beer with Eng
lam! ana not with Germany New. rtLe-
less, our position was still orc of strict
neutrality. And, had Germany sud-
denly shot forth her battle fleet and
had driven the British shipping from
the high seas, she would have been
quickly on hand to purchase supplies
and she would have received them just
as England has done. On the other
hama, mad this nation refused trade
with England on the ground that Eng
land had Germany shut up SO that she
could not trade, too, we would have
been grossly unncutral. For, by the
one move, we would have annulled the
effects of the great British battle fleet.
her undisputed command of the seas
would have been checkmated by our
unneutral action. And Germany then
would have proiited equally with Eng
land in the results, despite the fact
that she had not earned that right by
besting England on the high seas. the
battle fleets of the nations of the world
are meant to protect the commerce of
each. An embargo declared by neu-
trial country takes away the benefit of
such mastery in naval circles. To be
strictly neutral we must sell to all ma
tions and leave it to them to find the
means of getting their goods to their
own shores
! OF course, as conditions stand at
present, the United States and Germa-
ny have severed diplomatic relations.
Were the Germans now to ask supplies
from us and were they able to secure
the same. we would be justified in re-
fusinp them as a punishment for those
acts committed by Germany which have
caused the recall of our minister, the
handing of passports to the German
minister and the severance of friendly
relations between the two countries.
Pres, Wilson once declared an embargo