The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-09-05
SUMTER s. c. SATURDAY. sEPTEMBER < 1o14
ALLIES OPPOSE TRADE PLAN.
DON'T WANT L. S. TO BUY GER
MAN SHIPS.
would Aid Kaiser and France and En-
gland Declare it Would be Tanta-
mount to Making LOan-CaSc Set
Before Wilson.

Washington Aug. 31.-Great Brit
ain, France and Russia have advised
the United States informally that they
would look with disfavor on the pur-
chase by the government of German
merchant steamers to relieve condi-
tons growing out of the European
war and also to build up an American
merchant marine. While not convey
ed in any diplomatic correspondence,
their position, nevertheless, has been
vigorously set forth to President Will
son and Secretary Bryan.
France took the initiative, Ambas-
sadOr Jesserand carrying his objec-
tions to President Wilson in his re-
cent interview at the White House.
George Rahkmeteff, the Russian am
bassador. conferred with the British
and French ambassadors today and Ia
| ter saw Secretary Bryan. All three
diplomats held that there was no
precedent in International law for the
purchase by ( neutral nation of any
great quantity of ships from a bel
ligerent. The chief objection urged
is that the transaction would estab-
lish large gold credit in the hands
of Germany.
The diplomats pointed out that the
German steamship companies are
closely affiliated with the German gov
ernment, and to buy their ships now
marooned in American ports would
be tantamount to furnishing Ger
many with large loan. Should the
american government, however, dis
tribute it's purchases of ships equally
among the belligerent nations they
do not believe there would be objec-
ton from any quarter.
Considerable difficulties would arise,
however, it is asserted, if for instance.
the crew Of a German vessel purch
ascd by the United States were main
tained on it, as the English and
! French governments would not al
low the nationals Of any belligeronl
to land from neutral ships at their
ports.
Aside from the question Of pos
sible financial aid to Germany and
complications over the crews Cf the
vessels, the European diplomats who
are opposed to the plan believe diff
culties would arise with reference to
the cargOes of the American ships.
Their effort in present war has been
to sweep German commerce from the
seas and they look upon any means
to supply food to Germany or Austria
as an unneutral act
Administration officials here have
declared that the new ships would
carry only articles which were speci-
tically defined as not contra band OF
war, but it is the belief Of the diplO-
mats that their governments would
object even to conditional contraband
thus restricting considerably any
commerce with belligcrents.
The European diplomats have en-
GcavOred to point out that they de-
sire in no way to interfere with the
upbuilding Of an American merchant
marine and wish it's success in ncu-
trail countries, but they think the
American governments ships could
not be available for commerce with
the belligerent countries of Europe
Secretary Bryans only comment on
the reception Of the ship purchase
plan was:
1--WE have not yet reached the point
Of purchase"
| Other officials pointed out however,
the fact that the main purpose sought
i'm urging government purchase Of
merchant craft had been to build up
trade with South and Central America,
thc difficulties Of carrying on COM
n!crco with bclligercnt nations having
been realized fully. The plan also
contemplatcs new routes to neutral
countries in Europe.