Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-09-01
ALLIES OBJECT
TO PURCHASE Of
GERMAN SHIPS
France, England and Russia
Say 1t Would Give Kaiser
Large Gold Balance in This
Country.

Washington, Aug 3i.--Great Brit
ain. France and Russia have advised
the United States informally that they
would look with dsfavor upon the
purchase by this government of Ger
man merchant steamers to relieve
conditions growing out OF the Euro
pcan war and to build up an Amcrl-
can merchant marine.
While not conveyed in any dipIo-
matte correspondence. their position
nevertheless. has beon vigorously set
forth to President Wilson and sccre-
tary Bryan.
France took the initiative. AM
bassador Jusserand carrying his OBJ
jections TO President Wilson In his
recent Interview at the White House.
George Bahkmeteff the Russian am
bas$ldor, conferred with the Brit
ish and French ambassadors today
and later saw Secretary Bryan. An
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
bclliserent.
Would Give Gold 10 Germans.
The chief objection urged is that
the transaction would establish a
large gold credit in the hands OF Ger
many. The diplomatists point out
that the German steamship compa-
MES are closely affiliated with the
German government and to buy their
al.t L..
ports. would be tantamount to fur
nishing Germany with large loan.
Should the American government.
however, distribute its purchases Of
ships equally among the belligerent
nations, they do not believe there
would be objection from any quar-
ter Considerable difficulty would
arise. however. II is asserted, II for
instance. the crew OF German ves-
sci purchased by the United States,
were maintained on II as the English
and French governments would not
allow the nationals OF any belligercnt
to land from neutral ships at their
ports
Aside from the question Of posi-
Ult ffldHtlHi ulu W Otiiltdna anu
over the crews of the
vessels, the European diplomats who
are opposed to the plan. believe diff
flcultles would arise with reference
to the eargoes OF the American ships.
Their effort in the present war has
been to sweep German commerce
from the seas and they look upon
any means to supply food TO Ger
many or Austria as an unneutral act. /
No Contraband Cargoes.
Administration officials here have /
declared that the new ships could
carry only articles which were spe-
defined as not eontraband of
war. but IT is the belief of the dplo-
mats that their governments would
object even to conditional contra
band. thus restricting considerably
my commerce with belligerents.
The European diplomats have en-
leavored to point out that they de- n
dire in no way to interfere with the
ipbuilding of an American merchant
narine and wish II success in neutral
Countries, but they think the Ameri-
AN EoNefHHitht . ctiiPS touiu hoe "
made available for commerce with
he belligerent countries of Europe.
Secretary organs only comment on
he reception Of the ship purchase
Ian was
I'VE have not reached the point OF
other officials pointed out, however,
he fact that the main purpose sought
Il urging government purchase of
merchant craft should be to build up
rade with south and Central Ameri-
O. the difficulties of carrying on COM
1erce with bclIigerent nations having
cen fully realized
The plan also contemplates new
outes to neutral countries In Europe.
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OPERATIONS OF CAN 5