The Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune from Chillicothe, Missouri • Page 5

NEUTRALITY IX THE UNITED STATES. Gentlemen: The average American in Europe, unless studying a specialty, soon finds that in most things Americans excel. Europe has the advantage of ege in art, architecture, road and gardens, and all the disadvantages that arise from self-satisfaction, which retards initiative and improvement. Our knowledge of foreign geography and history is limited. An American may speak but one language and be considered a well-educated man.

In Europe he must speak three; he therefore knows more of his neigh- "bor's life, history and country than we Americans. We are praised as skilled traders, great inventors, wonderful money makers; and there praise ceases, except that our women are admired, especially those with large fortunes. He expects us to pay more than Europeans; he has one price for the American, another for his own people. He reads the plan of our political Institutions, but remains ignorant of the fundamental principles of equality and justice upon which our government rests. One armed military government, of necessity, causes all its neighbors to arm and maintain tremendous military establishments.

This necessity blinds him to the loss of the most useful years of a man's life, and taxation (which would bring a revolution here) becomes to him a patriotic duty. One armed European state, by proximity, means an armed Europe. This makes military preparedness the great test of a nation's fitness for government. So we find that the average European, measuring us by this rule, finds our Government inefficient. He counts his warships, numbers his army corps, and, in contemptuous comparison, finds that our standing army is smaller than the least of the states of Europe.

That our volunteer armies in the Civil War actually destroyed more men in the same period of time than in any war in mordern history, and the skill of the commanders of these volunteer troops, put in text-books, is used-in European war schools, has not impressed him. Our contention that the volunteer soldier, fighting for some great principle, makes a better soldier than the one drafted under state compulsion (who becomes a mere unit and ceases to be a man) causes him contemptuous amusement. Eliminating hearsay and reducing the accounts of returning Americans to actual facts, we find that with very rare exception Americans were treat- kindly and courteously in Teuton, including Scandina-, Europe. Some of our newer citizens Germany, England, Russia, Belgium vian, one hundred million; Slav, one have the closer tie of immediate kin- Austria I -i Austria. I There were inconveniences, shortage of money, disagreeable transportation and other unpleasant experiences, but.

not more so than the peaceful citizens of the various countries suffered themselves. The best proof of this statement is found in the fact that Americans unconsciously absorbed the sentiment of nation they visited. Americans in Germany came back with high praise of the German people, their army and the righteousness of their cause. Those in England and France were equally strong in recounting the of the people and armies of jthose nations. Thus showing that in all countries they were accorded kindly, friendly consideration.

The newspapers of all the nations engaged in war are strictly censored. 1There is no exception. Each nation's 'side is set forth in most alluring man- 'ner; the alleged atrocities of the en- are made shockingly appalling; the motive of the enemy is given at its worst, and the acts of bravery, skill and generals and self-sacriflce of their own country are depicted in a manner to impress the reader, so that he comes back to America with only one side of the story, and that side is the one absorbed by personal' contact and the reading of censored news. Most of the shocking things they relate were not witnessed by in fact, occurred at some distant place and invariably done by tho icnemy of the country visited by them. They met some one upon a train, or they heard a story.

This, without investigation or confirmation, is repeated until, by repetition, when they arrive home and find American heroes and heoiines, are partisan instead of neutral. The wholesale manufacture of American heroes and heroines in the war would be amusing, were it not. for the just contempt that foreign and forty million. ship with those engaged in world war These races in Europe are divided For these we must be most sympa- into many nations and different thetic and forbearing, as their trial is tongues. extreme.

In far-off Africa are fighting, Aus- FutaMy of Partisanship. tralia is arming, Japan is at war and But no man is justified in doing China uneasy, India is sending troops, augh to mar the nuetrality of our Tsl nun tVia "Pooiflit fin.4 A Island of the Pacific and Atlantic are making preparations. country. There can be no justification for such action, and reflection On the North American continent, convince him of its practical fu- Canada (our northern neighbor) jsjtility. sending money and troops, and tho There are fifteen million men en- Latin races of South America feeljg age in the war, which costs the strain.

Shipping has left the sea, the me- chanic'the workshop, the farmer the 000,000 a day. Suppose some one could send ono hundred thousand men and people must have tor those who complain of petty aaaioyances when the awful penalty of war was being paid HAUUY B. HAWES. plow, the fisherman his net. 000 to the army of his choice! Can he From high in the air like evil birds seriously believe it would change the of prey, from the bowels of the ocean, 'result? from the mountain and the plain, en-! We must wait until the war is over in full meause, by destruction and deatn jgines of war and men are hurrying tojto find the cause and write the his- Of the hundred thousand Ameri- participate in the slaughter of human jtory.

False reports will not change cans abroad, we are proud to note! beings. I the fighting strength or decide a bac- that anly a very, very few found jt We alone are at peace, a neutral 'tie. necessary to exaggerate their small; nation. Contrabands of War. inconveinences in the face of the un- Our forefathers gave us the Mon- An excited citizen hears that iversal sorrow, suffering and death roe Doctrine and have opposed all are spnt to on army; another that makes one great graveyard of all 'entangling alliances with foreign 'that wheat and grain can not be sent Europe.

tions. To these (wo policies we i to another. He blames the governmen'. Race Differences. ur present peace.

a ml discusses tho question of contra- This leaves the United States prac- Our population is made up of An- bands of war. tically the only great nation preserv- Jslo-Saxen, Teuton, Latin and He probably does not know that ing a strict neutrality. 'these racer, commingling have pro- various neutral European nations It is said that Europe divided into ciuced a race, stronger and better 'such as Holland, Denmark, Sweden population according to race, is An- than all others. a nd Switzerland are doing the samo glo-Saxon, forty-five million; Latin. We are connected by ari, litcvaiuic thing.

one hundred to one hundred and ten and heredity with all the nations of Authorities on international law confirm President Grant's proclama- ition of neutrality of August 22, 1870, during the Franco-German war, in which he expressly declared that "all persons" might "lawfully and without restriction, by reason of the aforesaid state of war, manufacture and sell within the United States arms and munitions of war and other articles ordinarily known as 'contraband of subject to the risk of hostile capture on the high seas." This means that all such articles are sold at the owner's risk of capture and confiscation by one of the belligerents. Our courts held, 'Neutrals in their own country may sell to belligerents whatever belligerents choose to buy. The principal exception to this rule is that neutrals must not sell to one belligerent what they refuse to sell to other." Contributions of Money. It is not a violation of neutrality for a private citizen, or corporation, to lend money to a belligerent if made for purely commercial purposes, but it would be an infringement if the loan was in fact a gratuitous contribution. So delicate is our position among so many friends that the President has advised against even commercial loans.

During the Franco-German war large sums of money were sent by German sympathizers to Germany for hospital purposes, and large sums were sent by sympathizers with France for the relief of persons French hospitals, and such assistance was not considered a violation of neutrality. Since that time the organization of the American Red Cross Society provides a means of contribution for hospital assistance, which completely eliminates any question of the violation of neutrality. This organization will help the wounded and destitute of all the warring nations equally, and prevent offense being given to any friendly nation on the ground of partiality. Race. Discussions.

We can not fail to discuss the great war's progress; it is asking too much of human nature not to do so. The average American takes sides in a dog fight, in a prize fight, in a baseball contest, in a yacht race. How can, he well refrain from having an opinion on the causes and probable 'outcome of the greatest tragedy in the world's history? Experts say the war will be long, 'we know it will be deadly. It grips jthe imagination In a hold too strong resist; we can not fail to think of we must talk of it! This can be done without making i race the vital issue and stirring ani- Imosities of nationality that bring bit- 'ler personal enmities. Wo hear of the Frenchman who YOUTHS Of RANGE PREPAWORWAR ORDERED TO 1'KESEXT THEMSELVES FOR ARMY TRAINING.

By July, It is Expected, the Xew Army Will Be Ready to Take the Field if Needed. Bordeaux, (via Paris,) The three hundred thousand youths of 18 years in France, who normally would begin service in any army in October, are by government decree to be called to present-themselves for "V-xamination beginning on the 20th oi month. Their military training probably will begin next March. Should the necessity arise these youths probably could be sent to the fighting line next July. Prompt Action Will Stop Your Cough When you first catch a Cold (often indicated by a sneeze or cough), break it up at once.

The idea that "It does not matter" often leads to serious complication. The remedy which immediately and easily penetrates the lining of the throat is the kind demanded. Dr. Kings New Discovery soothes the irritation, loosens the phlegm. You feel better at once.

"It seemed to reach the very spot of my cough" is one fthe many honest testimonials. 50c at your druggist. In the Six Reel Program, Majestic tonight; three comedies, two reels Feature and a Drama. Excellent orchestra Music. Prices 5 and 10 cts.

shoots the. doctor who says he has German measles. We hear one man say he will use no more English mustard; another will drink no French wine; a third frill eschew or not chew Vienna sausage; a fourth puts the ban on Russian caviar; a fifth will not use Italian olive oil, because he doubts Italy's strict neutrality, and a sixth Is suspicions of the neutrality of Swiss cheese. A lady will not buy French another, German toys, and yet another will not use Irish linen. When will the belligerent American stop? Only when the deserved ridicule which he brings upon himself becomes more unbearable than neutrality.

One ever-present danger to our nation comes from the professional sec- tionist, the professional race leader who apponts himself spokesman for a section or a nationality that he m-iy gain political office or personal profit. The professional agitator does more harm than war or disaster, as he spreads enmities and bitterness in a nation when all should be at peace and distracts attention from serious problems of government demanding solution. When exhaustion brings prospects of peace, a neutral nation will be asked to conciliate. Our President is the most available man. for this delicate task.

If our strict neutrality is under suspicion, one of belligerents may refuse his assistance and a great opportunity for peace will'be lost. God With Peace. Each leader of the nations at war claims God's approval of his armies and engines of destruction. We prefer to believe that God is with our President when he counsels neutrality and advocates peace. This is his advice: "The United States must be neutral fact as well as In name during thes days that are to try men's souls.

We must be impartial in thought as well as in action, must put a oorb upon our sentiments as well as upon every transaction that might be construed as a preference of one party to the struggle before another. My thought is of America. I am speaking, I feel sure, the earnest wish and purpose- of every thoughtful American that this great country of ours, which is, of course, the first in our thoughts and in our hearts, should show herself in this time of peculiar trial, a I nation fit beyond others to exhibit the fine poise of- undisturbed judgment the dignity of self-control, tho efficiency of dispassionate action, a nation that neither sits in judgment upon others nor is disturbed in her own counsels and which keeps herself fit aad free to do what is honest and disinterested and truly serviceable for the peace of the world." "THE AVENUE OF PALMS," IN THE LOBBY OF THE ALCAZAR MUSIC HALL, LONDON, ENGLAND, A SCENE FROM "THE RED WIDOW," THE NEW YORK ASTOR THEATRE. MUSICAL COMEDY SUCCESS. AT THE MAJESTIC THEATRE, FRIDAY, DECEMBER ELEVENTH.

SHIPS UW, SAYS BRITAIN SEARCH FOR CONTRABAND WILL BE MADE. Cargo Owners Should Make it Plain in Manifests Restricted Goods Are Not for Germany or Austria. Washington, Dec. Cecil Spring-Rice, the British ambassador, delivered to the state department today a note giving assurances that Great Britain does not intend to delay American ships unduly in searching them for contraband. Sir Cecil told Secretary Bryan and Counselor Lansing that meats, cotton and other noncontraband products, light weight, were often shipped in vessels which require heavier and contraband articles such as copper or metals for ballast, and the latter us- lually being stored in the holds neces- Isarily prolonged the search.

While conceding the right of search as a natural privilege of a belligerent in time of war, the United States had stated emphatically that examinations of American ves- seels should be conducted expedi- tionsly. The British ambassador said every effort would be made to prevent undue delay. American shippers whose perishable cargoes have been damaged 1 have recourse in claims which would be supported by the United States if undue delay in search are proved. Sir Cecil indicated that an amicably adjustment of the situation GOV. HODGES WANTS 'and practically a commission govern- election of only the governor, auditor i would have control over all the state probably would be reached, espec 1 iially if American shippers made it- COMMISSION FORM, ment for the state.

The governor Doan's Regnlets are recommended many who say they operate easily, Hodges wants Kansas to have a con- the legislature of two years ago. but pointment of the governor the same without griping and without bad er effects. 25c at all drug stores. and secretary of state by the people, departments, be able to lay his finger Topeka, L-ec. 5.

Governor suggested the one house legislature to the other offices to be filled by ap Jon any man responsible for short com ilUU. convention nest year to I has added to his plan now. provide for a one-house legislature! Th- eovernoi's now plan for the ing and and give tne state and efficient government at i as th? president fills his cabinet. In Hg reduct ion in cost from the present this way, Governor Hodges thinks, he system. tQat copper and other contraband goods shipped with cargoes of meat and food were- not destined for trans-shipmeu-t thru neutral countries to Germany or Aus-- itria..