TaÌˆgliche Omaha tribuÌˆne. [volume] (Omaha, Nebr.) 1912-1926, 1917-08-17

the right, if we choose TO exer-
else it, to make permanent our
present total embargo on ex-
ports to the northern neu-
trails, Holland and Scandinavia.
They have not the slightest
ground, in point Of law, for in
sisting that we continue to send
them one pound Of our supplies.
We are to-day at war. Our ac-
ton is subject to no legal limi-
tations. We have nothing 10
serve but our own interests,
and we shall serve nothing but
those interests. We have two
interests in the matter: an i'm
mediate and an ultimate inter
est. Our immediate interest is
to win this war. Shall we aid
in the winning of the wal by
exercising upon the neutral
powers pressure through with
holding our supplies to them?
There are three kinds Of pres.
sure we can exercise. First, we
can refuse to let them have sup
plies unless they agree not to
let those supplies be transship-
ped into Germany. Second, we
can refuse to send them supplies
if those supplies-such as fod-
der-are used to raise dairy
products or other n~ecessaries of
life that are sold to the German
empire. Third, we can attempt
to force the neutrals to stop all
their trade with Germany by
threatening to starve them I'M
less they accede to our demands.
There is no controversy as
to the necessity of our exercis-
ing the first form of pressure
giving nothing to the northern
neutrals unless they agree not
to let it go through to Ger
many. We cannot allow either
direct or indirect trading with
the enemy. The northern neu-
trails have all given binding
guarantees against the danger Of
such transshipment business.
The second form of pressure
is not so simple. 1t involves
controlling the destination Of
products which neutrals evolve
out Of our raw materials, primar-
lily fodder.
Befor this war both England
and Germany got a large part
of their meat and dairy supplies
from Holland and Denmark.
Holland and Denmark imported
fodder from the United States
and turned it into pork, lard,
butter and cheese for Germany
and England. The little neutrals
adjacent to the great industrial
countries Of Europe were in the
position Of truck gardeners in
the neighborhood of a large.
CITY. If we stop feeding hogs
and cattle in Denmark and Hol-
land, the leading industries in.
those two countries will he
ruined. They will lose more
than their large German bust
ness. They will also lose their
large British business. We can
not force them to cease dealing
with Germany without at the
same time forcing them to cease
dealing with England. If they
stopped supplying Germany and
continued to supply England
they would be guilty Of a breach
of neutrality which they are not
willing to undertake. The very
essence Of neutrality is the i'm
partial treatment Of both bel
ligerents.
This policy Of neutrality has
been more clearly stated by the
United States when a neutral
than by anybody else. In 1923
Great Britain was unlawfully
hindering our exports to France,
with which she was at war.
Thomas Jefferson wrote to.
Pinckney, our minister TO Great
Britain:
It is an essential character
Of neutrality to furnish no aid
mot stipulated by treaties) to
one party which we are rot
equally ready to furnish to the
other. If we permit corn to
be sent to Great Britain and
her friends, we are equally
bound to permit it to France.
To restrain it would be a part
iality which might lead TO a
war with France.
Were we to withhold from
her (France) supplies Of pro-
visions, we should in like man
ner be bound to withhold
them from her enemies also,