But though there was so wide a desire that America
should keep out of the quarrel, there was of course an intense feeling of dis- appointment that, while refusing to engage in hostilities, she did not make that protest which one would have expected her to make against German violations of the laws of humanity, and also of the customs and conventions of international law. If America, neutral as regards hostilities, but not neutral on the moral issue, had out- lawed Germany as long as she regarded treaties as " scraps of paper," shot hostages contrary to the Hague Convention, and violated the humane laws of sea warfare in cases like the Lusitania,' the moral effect on future wars would have been worth a wilderness of Leagues to Enforce Peace. There is no complaint hero against the attitude of the American people, but only regret at the missing of a great opportunity by the American Government.
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