The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-10-18
FIVE GERMANS FORGED /
T0'ACREE' mot Td.FIGHT.
Senator Thomas Recounts; Incident
Growing Out OF Forcible Search
OF the Metapan.
HE UTTERs PROTEST. IN SENATE
Stone, of Foreign Relations Commit
tee, Emphatically Declares That
Beliigerent Nations Must Respec.
Rights of United States as Neutral.

WASHINGTON, October 1T.-Protcst
against a forcible search of the Amer
lean merchant ship Metapan by the
French cruiser Condo. in Mexican
BY Senator Thomas, He presented n
letter from r. w, Patterson, pas
senger on the Metapan. who said of
Ulcers of the Condo forced Ave German
young men on the vessel to sign parole
agreements binding them not to fight
against the allies in the European
war.
Senator Thomas asked for speedy
The Metapan, which. on arriving at
New York from Southern ports on
Thursday, was sunk in Ambrose Cham
mel. after collision with the Iowan,
only recently was transferred from
British to American registry.
She was a United Fruit steamer.
Air. Pattersons letter stated that the
Condo stopped the Metapan between
Cartagcna and Puerta Colombia on
Sunday, October A. at 1890 O'Clock In
the morning. Two officers and two SOL
diers from the Condo. he said, bearing
arms, boarded the ALetapan. All OF the
passengerS We're assembled in the din
ling saloon, while the naval otiicers
examined the ships papers. Later the
five young Germans, who We're bound
for Colombia, according to Mr.. Patter-
order to procure their liberty.
ALL SERVED THE FRENCH
"Wi'fH ALACRITY"
Mr.. Patterson said that the captain
and practically all OF the officers of
the Metapan were British subjects,
and that the captain served the French
with alacrity,'' The latter said that
Isaac Manning, American consul at
Baranqutlla, who was also on the yes
sci. had drawn up report to the
State Department on the incident.
The protest read by, Senator Thomas
prompted Senator Stone, chairman of
the Forcign> Relations Committee, TO
emphatically declare in an address that
the helligerent nations must respect
the rights of the United States as q
neutral nation.
Much has been said In recent weeks
concerning the rights and privileges of
belligerent nations," said Senator
stone. but less has been said about the
rights OF neutral powers. The governs
nent OF the United States have yolun-
| tarily assumed an attitude of strict
neutrality. That attitude, was taken
| in good faith, and every one connected
with the administration of thiS gov
eminent In any one of Its departments
Is enjotned to maintain that attitude.
We recognize and undertake to conc ed
and enforce the rights OF belligerent
powers under INTERNATIONAL law. but I
thought II nm opportune time to say
that belligcrent powers. IL they caro-
flor the regard and friendship of this
l,republlc. should themselves recognize
ana strictly observe the rights and
privileges of n neutral power.
s'If they fail to do 30, the RESPONSE
.bility of violating the rights of a neu-
trail power will irest upon their heads.
The government of the United States
will maintain It's position. but It Is
Will not look with Indifference upon
the violation OF the rights and priyi-
llegesH OF our own government or. our
own citizens"