The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-10-19
AMERICAN SHIP
WAS STOPPED BY
FRENCH VESSEL
Passengers Were Reported
To Have Been Subjected
to Outrages When French
Naval Officers Boarded
The Metapan in caribbean
Waters.
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.

Ak3SOSLAI PRESS
Washington, Oct. 1s.-Protest against
a forcible search OF the American mer-
chant ship Metapan by the French
cruiser Condo in the Caribbean Sea was
zcapues "a HvpnTes s4oues su1 III peru
Thomas. A letter was submitted by the
senator from r. W. Patterson, a pas
senger on the Metapan who said Off
GERS of the Condo forced five Germans
on the vessel to sign parole agreements
binding them not to fight against the
allies in the European war.
Senator Thomas declared the out
rage" as reported by Mr.. Patterson
called for prompt investigation by the
state department. The letter set forth
that the Condo stopped the Metapan
between Cartagena and Puerta Colon
bia October 4. Two armed officers and
terson wrote. boarded the Metapan,
whose captain the letter said, assem-
hied passengers in the dining saloon
while the naval officers examined the
pdpC1oa 4fd(C4 4AfC yOuLS NCA
mans who according to Mr.. Patter-
son were ION board a neutral vessel
plying between neutral ports" were
forced to sign a parole to procure
their liberty
This was an outrage committed on
American soil, under the American
flag" said Mr.. Patterson, the passeng-
ers OF an American vessel were all
practically imprisoned by French Of
ficers and men"
Mr.. Patterson said the captain and
virtually all officers of the Metapan
were British subjects and that the
captain served the French with alac-
rity." The letter declared that Isaac
Manning, American consul at Baran
quilla, who was on the vessel had
drawn upa report to the state depart
ment.
NATIONS ARE WARNED.
Senator Thomas statement caused
Senator Stone, chairman of the foreign
relations committee, to interrupt pro-
ceedings of the senate with a warning
to belligerent nations to respect the
rights of the United States as d neu-
trail nation
when we are performing our duty
10 Mexican neutrality, said Senator
Stone, nations involved in war should
De careful to recognize our rights and
to keep faith with us
IT they fail to do so, then the re
sponsibility of viola ting rights of a
neutral power will rest upon their
heads. The government of the United
States win maintain its position. but
it is Wen for other nations to know
that we will not look with indifference
on the violation of the rights and
DUR own citizens.
Much has been said concerning |
lights and privileges of belligerent ma
ions, but less has been said about !
he rights Of neutral powers and people |
subject to them. The government Of |
;umed an attitude of strict neutrality.
That attitude was taken in good |
aith, and every one connected with !
he administra ton of this government |
II any one of its departments is en-
oined to maintain that attitude We !
'ecognize and undertake to concede and !
enforce the rights of beligerent pow /!
RS under international law. but II
bought it an opportune time to say !
hat belligerent powers, if they care for |
he regard and friendship of this re- !
public, should themselves recognize |
md strictly observe the rights of a
leutral power"