That view I wholly traverse. It might conceivably be felt by America,
under certain grave eventualities, that neutrality must be broken.
But it is clear that the articles of The Hague Convention of 1907 amply
provide for the type of action here and now by the United States which
I have ventured to lay before American statesmen in this paper. And, in
my opinion, it is conceivable that more good might be achieved by
America taking that action, while maintaining her neutrality.
It goes without saying, it really needs no demonstration, that nearly
every international agreement embodied in The Hague Convention has been
broken, wholly or in part, in the letter and in the spirit, in the
proceedings of this unhappy year.
The violation of the territory of a neutral State by the transit of
belligerent troops and other acts of war is forbidden, (Articles 1, 2,
3, 4, &c.) It is the duty of the neutral State not to tolerate, (Article
5,) but to resist such acts, and her forcible resistance is not to be
regarded as an act of war, (Article 10.)
Interference with Neutrals.
That, of course, covers the case of Belgium completely and establishes
absolutely that there is, and need be, no breach of neutrality in
resistance thus legally sanctioned to illegal interference with neutral
rights.
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