The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1914-08-06
HOUSE PASSES
Underwood BILL
Admits FoT3ign-BuiIt Ships to
American Registry
URGED BY The ADMINISTRATION

Notwithstanding Doubtful Attitude Of
International Law Experts Measure
Receives Unanimous Vote-lntend-
ed to Relieve Embargo on American
Commerce-Some Fear It Will In
Volve Us In Complications.
Washington, Aug 4.-The admission
of foreign built ships to American reg
istry has received the unanimous ap-
proval Of the lower house of congress
and will doubtless pass the senate
and be approved by the president, II
whose suggestion the action was tax
en-. The measure is designed to re
iieve the embargo on the foreign com
merce of the United States which
has resulted from the war in Europe.
The measure was messaged to the
senate this morning and will receive
immediate consideration in that body.
1t is understood that the usual divi-
sion on party lines will not be permit
tee tn hinder the progress OF the bill.
International lawyers expressed the
OF inion that the passage of the bill
will not yield any substantial relief in
the present situation. The danger lies,
it was pointed out, in the fact that any
ships transferred under the proposed
arrangement will run the risk OF seiz-
ure, inasmuch as the probabilities gre
that the belligerents will not recognize
the transfer Of the flag as valid.
The bill was supported by Repre-
sentative Mann of Illinois who de-
clared that it would give Americans a
chance to invest in foreign ships.
The alarmist views were secuted by
Representative Underwood. He de
clared that the provision repeating the
law admitting TO American registry
only ships of foreign build OF not more
than five years and waving the la"
that ships flying the American flag
must be officered by American citi
zens and prescribing federal survey
inspection and measurement, might al
ford temporary relief to the present
ocean situation without putting tn
United States in the danger OF invit
ing trouble.
He warned the house that if the bill
failed to pass American goods wouit
be bottled up in American storehouses
cotton would drop to cents a pounC
and wheat to Is cents a bushel. HI
declared that everything possible
should be done to prevent such ca
lamity from falling on the country.
Mr.. Underwood produced figures
showing there are many foreign ship
owned by American citizens and cor
porations that might be brought unde
the American flag.
The secretary Of tie navy was gIvel
authority in bill passed by the sen
ate to use navy vessels to carry pas
sengers, mail and freight to Sout
American countries and to Europe.
AS introduced originally by Senate
Weeks, the bill authorized ships to b
used between the United States an
South American ports, but when it wa
called up Senator Williams amende
it to authorize the extension Of I'll
lines to European countries as well.
Secretary Daniels is strongly
sympathy with the legislation an
probably will favor taking immedia,
steps to press some Of the fast naHs
vessels into service.
President Wilson sent a special me-
sage to congress asking Immediate al
preparation Of S250,0C0 for relief c
distressed Americans abroad. Til
house passed the $Z50.OO0 approprii
ton without debate or a roll call. Th
senate also passed the bill without d.
bate or dissenting vote.