The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-10-23
1914 AND 1885

'HREE weeks after the World War was started
the United States had as many neutrality
proclamationS, statements and warnings on the
record as it has today.
In some ways, these documents of 1914 laid
basis for more sweeping precautions against en-
Engagements than do todays, although in the end
they failed to keep us from war.
President Wilson'S neutrality proclamation for
bade the beginning setting on foot or providing
or preparing the means for any military expedition
or enterprise"
In the wars first fortnight this served as the
basis for ruling from Secretary of State William
Jennings Bryan that loans to beigerents by United
States bankers inconsistent with true spirit
Of neutrality"
II this precedent had been followed the export
OF toodStuffs or any other means for a military
expedition might have been prevented This was
not done. Instead, business men and bankers
hastily prepared for enlarged export trade and the
government helped them And when Europe could
no longer buy without loans, the loan policy was
changed.
Today governments in default on their war debts
are forbidden by the Johnson Act of 1884 to float
loans in this country and the ban stands against
Italy and most other European countries but loans
to beugerents such not specifically forbidden
No clause in the Roosevelt neutrality proclamation
is capable of as broad Interpretation as that in the
Wilson proclamation.
The Roosevelt order, in obedience to Congress
neutrality resolution forbids shipment of arms and
munitions to any beligerent, a new departure in
American diplomacy. The Wilson proclamation
merely warned Americans that while they might
lawfully manufacture and sell arms and ammuni-
ton and other contraband, they could not carry
such articles the high seas without risking
capture and penalties.
AS soon as Great Britain issued her first contra
band list. Mr.. Wilson stationed a warshp outside
New York harbor to examine vessels for contra
band On Great Britain's list were food, clothing
and fabrics if these were intended for an enemy
country
The United States faces much the same problem
today in the economic embargo decided on by the
League of Nations The only indication so far of
Administration policy is contained in President
Roosevelts statement that any of our people who
voluntarily engage in transactions of any character
with either of the beligerentS do so at their own
risk" There has been considerable dispute as to
whether or not this indicates abandonment of the
CID inSistence freedom of the seas for neutralS
Mr.. Roosevelt also formally has warned citizens
that they travel vessels of bellgerentS at their
own risk.
Mr.. Wilson, on the other hand, made an effort
to assure neutrality of communication. He forbade
radio stations in the United States to transmit or
receive for delivery messages "of an unneutral
nature" He assigned naval officers to listen to all
messages, and when it appeared that this order
worked principally against Germany-which had to
rely entirely on wireless communication with this
countryhe attempted without great success to pro-
He took no steps-as the United States has taken
none today-to protest against action by Great
Britain blocking communication to this country from
belligerents.