Evening star., 1935-10-07
Strict Neutrality.

"And. whereas war now unhapply
exists between Ethiopia and the King
dom OF Italy" In these words, In his
two proclamations regarding the use OF
the ships Of the two nations by Ameri-
can citizens and the supply OF munitions,
the President of the United States has
formally recognized state OF bellger-
ency on the part Of those antagonists.
This establishes the condition upon
which the recently enacted neutrality
measure of Congress was based. 1t recog-
nizes that state of war" which requires
Americans to refrain from travelling upon
the ships of the belligerents and from
supplying arms, ammunition and 1mple-
ments of war to them. The proclama-
tions relate to these two prohibitions,
respectfully. They do not go beyond
the act of Congress. In respect to the
provision of the proclamation regarding
the supply of munitions the President
exercises the prerogative granted by the
act in the definition of the articles OF
warfare. the export Of which may be
prohibited.
The embargo set up by the proclama-
ton includes rifles, guns, ammunition,
tanks. bombs. war vessels. aircraft and
poison gas. This list is identical with
that issued in the proclamation of Sep
tember Is requiring manufacturers and
exporters and importers to register and
to obtain certificates and licenses for
transacting business. Thus there is no
change in that aspect of the neutrality
situation. Nor is there as regards the
matter of travel upon the ships of bel
ligerents, which was forbidden in the act
of Congress, save at the risk of the
traveller.
Inasmuch as Ethiopia has no merchant
marine and no ports, these prohibitions
do not in any manner or degree affect
that country. The warning as to travel
is definitely aimed at the ships flying
the Italian flag. If Americans take
passage upon one Of them they do so
at their own risk. And since there is no
Ethiopian navy and Ethiopia has no
allies, there is virtually no chance what
ever that travel upon an Italian ship
would be attended with danger other
than that of disaster wholly distinct from
the state of war" This warning Is,
therefore, a gesture of strict neutrality
rather than a measure of security for
American travellers.
Nor is there any suggestion of sane
tions,' in the sense of trade discrimina-
ton against belligerent nation, in
either of the proclamations. By refus-
ing Government support to those who
may travel on the ships Of belligerent
and by prohibiting the shipment Of GER
tain classes of munitions and materials
of war to either contestant the United
States does not join in any boycott or
of the peace.
In short, the United States declares
its neutrality, warns Americans that they
will travel upon the ships of the bellig-
erents at their own risk and refuses to
grant licenses to American manufac-
turers and dealers m arms and munitions
to sell and send such materials to either
of the warning nations. That was the
act of Congress and that is the Presi-
dents declaration in recognition of the
state Of war that, as he says, now un-
happily exists between Ethiopia and the
Kingdom of Italy" Whatever may be
the sympathies of the American people
IN respect to the righteousness of this
conflict, they must stand firmly on the
ground of strict neutrality.