Evening star., 1936-02-11
Proposed Neutrality Act
No Guarantee of Peace
To the Editor Of The star:

To the Editor OF The star:
1t appears to the writer that our past
experiences with embargoes and neu-
trality should be sufficient evidence OF
the futility Of such measures to keep us
out of war. No better legislation could
be conceived to embroil us in war than
the neutrality bill now before the Nye
Committee. 1t will be discriminatory in
its results, thereby creating resentment
with dangerous possibilities. 1t will de-
prive US Of the better part of our foreign
trade. 1t will give to the President dicta-
torial powers that will prove dangerous to
our liberties, and that no man should
possess in free democracy. It will null
lily the exclusive constitutional authority
of the Congress to declare war. It also
means the abandonment by us of our
policy of freedom of the SEAS" which is
unthinkable.
If experience teaches anything it Is
that the only neutral nation whose rights
are respected by belligerents is the nation
that has the power to protect its rights
and the will to use its power to enforce
respect for them
Through all the history of mankind
wise men of every country and race have
expressed the conviction that Ito be pre-
pared for war is one of the most effectual
means OF preserving peace" We talk and
pray much for peace, but there will never
be peace on this earth until the dawn of
the millennium. Christ Himself said
Think not that have come to send
peace on earth; I came not to send peace,
but sword" This statement has found
fulfillment in human history ever since
the advent Of the Prince of Peace. In
view OF this statement of Christ himself
which the history of the past 1000 years
has verified, is 1t not the part of wisdom
for us to put aside maudlin sentimental
ity and face the facts of history and of
human nature and Danish the thought
that the mere desire for and constant
talking and praying for peace will pre-
serve us at peace with the rest of the
world?
AS a substitute for this unwise pro-
posed neutrality legislation, Congress
should legtslate to put our country not
only in state of impregnable defense,
but in position in which we will be able
to defend our rights upon the high seas,
or wherever they may be imperiled Notice
should then be served upon the world
that we have no aggressive intentions to-
ward any nation, but that we will de-
mand and enforce respect for our legiti-
mate rights against the world, if need
be, and particularly that we will protect
the rights of our people to trade with
all peoples and nations in peace and war,
subject only to the recognized rule of in
ternational law that in war time contra
band goods are subject to seizure and
confiScation, and that our citizens who
engage in such trade and commerce will
do SO at their own risk and peril. In this
connection the United States should call
a conference of all nations to consider
and determine just what articles shall
be deemed contraband in war time for
the reason that many things not contra
band under existing rules are now so
because of changed conditions and mod
ern methods and implements of warfare.
The policy herein suggested is not only
calculated to keep us out of war and at
peace with other nations. but is policy
worthy of nation Of men OF undaunted
courage, moral fiber and stout hearts.
ALEXANDER SIDNEY LANIER.