Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 January 1915 — Knowledge of Our Weakness Is Great Britain’s License [ARTICLE]

Knowledge of Our Weakness Is Great Britain’s License

Lafayette Journal. Notwithstanding her present peril and her bitter of the past, Great Britain seems convinced that the seas belong to her and that hers is the right to dictate to all nations when ships shall sail and what cargoes they shall carry. The British policy is arrogant and there is prospect that it may become insolent, as it did in 1812. Since war in Europe started the U. 8. has maintained the strictest neutrality. It is the wish of this country to deal justly with the nations at war. At the same time this country has rights that are not subservient to the war policies. Interference with legitimate American commerce and the searching of American vessels that sail under the American flag offend the American people. The latest case to suggest interference with American shipping is the seizure of the American steamer Greenbrier, Escorted' by a British cruiser and flying the British flag, the Greenbrier was taken to a British port where she was searched before being allowed to proceed to the port of her destination. The state department has asked an explanation, which doesn’t mean anything. This incident and other outrages against American ships do not warrant talk of war, but they do soint the need of a positive American policy that would insist on respect for American rights. That such liberties. are taken with the American flag tetifies to the lamentable weakness of the state department. In what is probable the world’s greatest crisis the United States is hopelessly and pitiably outclassed in international statescraft. The petty politicians of Mexico found this out long ago and Europe realizes it now. Owing to the painful weakness of the state department Europe is taking liberties that she would not take if a big man, with knowledge of international law, were on the job.