The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-18

out again unless Turkey defiufte1x
 throws in her lot with Germany. sor
 the British ambassador at Constanti-
 Topic has declared that the cruisers , Goenen and Breslau will be considered 1 hcstile ships as long as they are of | ilcered and manned by Germans l ~ iurkey Is keeping her army mob 1ilzed at great cost and to the detri- mel m Of trade and commerce which are practically at standstill. Although tn. | crops are good. famine Is feared in the armenian provinces and the patriar- chafc is sending commissions to Amer l ica and other countries to collect fun.n for the benefit of the sufferers i Germany. it Is said. has sent money 1 to Constantinople. but It is considered i doubtful that she will be able to SUD- ply all Turkeys wants
 The Germans are busy rebuilding the fcrts around Antwerp. Washington, October 17.-Protest against a forcible search of the American mer- chant ship Metapan by the French crui- ser Condo in the Caribbean sea was filed in the Senate today by Senator Thomas A letter was submitted by the senator from R. W Patterson. passenger on the Metapan, who said officers of the Condo forced five Germans on the ves- sel to sign parole agreements binding them not to fight against the allies in the European war.
 Senator Thomas declared the outrage" as reported by Mir. Patterson, called for prompt investigation by the state de- rartment.
 Senator Thomas statement caused Sem ator Stone chairman of the foreign re- lations committees to interrupt proceed ings of the Senate With a warning to belligerent nations to respect the rights of the United States as a neutral na- tion
 When we are performing our duty to
 maintain neutrality" said Senator Stone. nations involved In war should be care ful to recognize our rights and keep faith with us. If they fail to do so. then the responsibility. of violating the rights Of neutral power will rest upon their heads. The government of the United States will maintain its position, but it is well for other nations to know that we will not look with indifference on the violation of the right and privileges of our own government or our own citizens
 Much has been said concerning rights and privileges of belligerent nations, but less has been said about the rights of neutral powers and people subject to them. The government of the United States has voluntarily assumed an at- titude of strict neutrality.
 That attitude was taken in good faith and every one connected with the ad- minstration of this government in any one of it's departments is enjoined to maintain that attitude. We recognize and undertake to concede and enforce the rights of belligerent powers under in- ternational law, but I thought 1t an op- perfume time to say that belligerent pow CTS, If they care for the regard and friendship of this republic, should, them selves. recognize and strictly observe the rights of a neutral power"
 Mr. Patterson's letter set forth that the Condo stopped the Metapan between Car- tagena and Puerta Colombia October i. Two armed officers and two soldiers of the marine guard from the Condo, MT. Patterson wrote, boarded the Metapan, whose captain, the letter additionally said assembled passengers in the dining saloon while the naval officers examined the ships papers. Later five young Ger mans who, according to MT. Patterson,
 were on board a neutral vessel, plying between neutral ports were forced to sign a parole to procure their liberty.
 'This was an outrage committed on said MT. Patterson. "The passengers of an American vessel were all practically imprisoned by French officers and mem
 Mir. Patterson said the captain and virtually all officers of the Metapan were British subjects and that the captain served the French with alacrity.''
 The letter declared that Isaac Man ming, consul at Baranqullla who was on the vessel, had drafted a report to the state department.