New-York tribune., 1920-05-26
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of great war in Europe. and in pur-
suancc of it's duties as laid down in
paragraph Il. l67 of the navy rcgula-
tons, the general board earnestly
"(D The battlcships be brought
home, docked and put in perfect rcadi
ness, with the exception OF the ships
actually necessary in Caribbean and
Mexican waters.
"(2) The present situation in Eu-
rope is absolutely without precedent
not only in the vast extent and variety
of the interests involved, but in the
suddenness with which it has de
veloped
"(3) 1t is not clear at this moment
that any interests Of the United States
arc threatened. Yet it would be rash
70 assume that there may not emerge
from the extraordinary situation in
which so large part of the world has
become unexpectedly involved some in
cldent or combination of incidents
fraught with danger to our interests.
Many Perils Reviewed
go Our commercial interests are
closely interviewer with those Of every
one of the great powers which ap-
parcntly are on the verge Of war. Our
trade routes pass through the waters
of those powers and terminate in their
ports. Our privileges and duties as
neutrals may easily become matters of
misunderstanding and controversy.
"l5) There arc said to be 100000
United States citizens now in Europe.
Many thousands of them are claimed
by European powers as liable TO mill
tary service, and those who find them
selves abroad may at any moment be
arrested and impressed. As bearing
upon this point, the following quotation
from a press dispatch of July 81 is
pertinent:
"'Other Americans whose safety
promises to be serious matter are
now naturalized citizens passing be-
tween Europe and the United States.
Efforts may be made by European bel
liGerents to arrest such people because
of their nativity, regardless of their
Naturalization
should incidents occur such as are
here forecast they could hardly be
ignored, and this is only one OF the
many difficulties that may arise in
connection with the interests, personal
and commercial. of American citizens
residing or travelling abroad.
"l6) Another press report from Co.
penhagen of the same date suggests
report IS authentic. The report is as
folloWs:
"'A German squadron, cruising off
Langeland, in the Great Belt, is stop
ping all vessels to investigate their
nationality and the destination of their
cargoes.'
There is so little American shipping
engaged in foreign trade that such
procedure in the locality mentioned is
hardly likely to affect American ves-
sells; but what has happened in one
place may happen in another. The
United States would hardly permit its
merchant ships TO be overhauled by
foreign men-of-War when no actual
state Of war exists. and the spirit
'1Ge manifested by the German squad
ron might cause acts in violation uf
"eutHality after war has sUporvcncd.
Neutrality Question Taken Up
go In the event of a general Eu-
ropean war it is probable that foreign
shipping will cndeavor to register under
The United States flag. The shipping
then needed adequately to supply the
war requirements Of Europeon nations
Will be enormous. Many questions of
neutrality, or alleged breaches of neu-
trality, may, in the irritable condition
Of public opinion at home and abroad,
result IN strained relations, and, not
withstanding all efforts to the con-
trary, may further result in the en-
brollment Of this country with some
country or countries Of Europe.
IS. Again the merchants of the
United States will certainly endeavor
to supply immense quantities Of muni-
tons of war, arms, ammunitions, fuel.
food and other warlike supplies with
the resulting accusation that the coun-
Try has become a base from which war
is supported against friendly nations
IN violation Of its proclamation of
neutrality.
''9. There arc other POSSIBLE COM
pllcatlons belligerents always tend to