The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-10-09
WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 9. 1895.
THE PRICE OF NEUTRALITY

A MONTH ago, quoting from an article by Ernest
Angel entitled Can We Stay Out of War;" in
September Harpers, we printed this
Can not picture the patriotic orators ringing
the changes on the fnalienabe right to trade and
the historical freedom Of the seas calling the en-
barge laws the yellow belly laws, and asking how
long Congress proposes to make every American
citizen the white feather of coWardce? The
farmers, the mill and shop hands the manufacturers
a new band Of would-be exporters and Wall Street
would-be bedfeows united as by no other possible
issue in a spontaneous drive upon Congress to force
the amendment outright repeal of any sweeping
embargo which stood between them and the natural
profits Of a potentially immense boom in business"
When that published the vote to stay out
of it" seemed unanimous Everybody said of course"
to the idea of neutrality
But less than week after the invasion of
Ethiopia and following the Presidents procamations
under the neutrality act find this happening:
Your discretionary act in banning all trade with
Italy and Ethiopia" says statement from the
ference on port development of the City of New
York, is considered a serious blow to commerce of
this country and port and is premature and ILL
advised Urge you to rescind same"
That was in a radogram to the President
DING on in the protest we read such lines as
~ these:
The conference can not countenance Mr.. Roose-
vets notice virtually abandoning Americas tradi-
tona insistence neutral trading rights and free
dom of the seas at this early stage. This very
vitaiy affects the interests of this port.
Our exports to Italy have exceeded those of
other nations and they at stake unneces-
sarly. Italy offers margin for surplus and
she buys than she sells us on balance
And from Arkansas comes this from Gov j. M
Futrel:
Business conditions in nation could be bet
ter and why shouldn't we profit by the conflict? Sales
of supplies might reduce the unemployment and ease
our present depression"
Apart from proving the prophetic quality of Mr.
Angels article, the two protests quoted are quick
proof Of fact taught by history, but easily forgot
ten-that neutrality at price, and is not free
While the complaints registered up to now do not
rise to the name-Caing heights of yellow belly"
language they nevertheless sound note that ap-
pears to be inevitable upon the outbreak of any
TINE pocketbook nerve has been hit and the
sQuawk follows Immediately.
There will be more of this and more and more
in rising volume as We see opportunities for trade
negated by efforts to stay out"
And whether ultimately dragged in will be
determined altogether by what public sentiment does
about those who, in the interest of commerce, turn
against this nations efforts to remain neutral.
The pressure will be powerful. Make no mistake
about that. 1t will be powerful because the tempta
ton will be great That temptation in the course
of time may lure every one of because war, with
freedom of the in full swing, does help business
and business hasn't been so good
Therefore, it will be up to all of us to make the
final decision. Can stand the economic gaf? Or
will we ultimately send our boys again across the
sea to death or mutilation in order that business
may thrive?