The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-11
Enters . Protest.

81 have nc objection to any inyestiga-
tions that the Senator desires to have
made. but I do protest that this constant
effort to prevent the consideration of the
Illegal course OF Great Britain Is hardly
fair and that 1t Is hardly right TO load
II down with a sentimentalism which APP
peals to every man with a drop OF blood
In his veins. It has been that feature
which has been used so frequently in
the press"
by agreement the Smith resolution
and Lodge amendment were referred to
the Foreign Relations Committee.
Before this action was taken Senator
Walsh of Montana said shippers OF
copper In the United States have been
harassed into signing an agreement to
ship copper only TO such places and
persons as the British Admiralty, pre-
Niously fully Informed, graciously per
mitted.
Not a shipment has been made save
under this humiliating condition." he
exclaimed
MIR. Walsh then had the familiar
agreements read.
The price of copper" went on Mr.
Walsh. sis very high. The demand for
II IL unusually great. No action could
be taken by this Government that would
improve the copper trade. I would like
to have IL referred TO the Committee on
Foreign Relations and have the com
mittee inquire into the circumstance
OF exacting such conditions from Ameri-
can shippers. and inquire also as "a
whether these circumstances Justify the
relation now obtaining between the
United States and Great Britain"
Senator Hoke Smith In his speech In
support OF his resolution for an inquiry
ny the Foreign Relations Committee into
British interferences with American
trade said that the time had come for
Congress TO warn Great Britain "a cease
such iu~terferences.
The protests Of the State Department,
he said. had been met by increased law
lessness and disregard of the ights of a
friendly neutral
1T may be necessary for the United
states and other neutrals To let Great
britain understand that No word or
act will he omitted to enforce theiY
rights" said Senator Smith.
senator Smith concluded:
There can be ne pretenCe that IL ia
sustained 10y the customs OF nations,
Indeed. there is no such pretence. l,
IL "A bold. reckless disregard of that free
dom Of the seas which il the right OF
neutrals by the customs of nations and
the rules OF international law.
yet for eight months this disregard
OF the sovereign rights of all Neutral
countries has been permitted to continue,
to the serious injury Of the OF
their citizens.
Great Britain has sold in English
ports cargo after cargo of merchandise
10 citizens of the United
States when the merchandise WAS In nc
sense claimed to be ~contraband and
settlements for the goods are still helms
held up, citizens OF the United States
having been deprived of their trade
privileges, of their goods and Of the
valuo Of their goods.
In aggravation IL n ba shown tina,
the same character of goods sailing from
ports OF the United States destined &c
neutral ports of northern Europe, which
were seized and carried into British
ports were permitted to he sent from
British ports by British owners to the
same neutral ports OF northern Europ.
from which American owners were ex.
cluded, The trade by citizens OF Grea,
Britain was greatly increased 10 tn,
ports from which neutrals were ex.
cluded.
The United States therefore owes Il
to her citizens and to her friends &c
maintain a real neutrality" said Senator
Smith, "Neutrals must maintain Their
neutral rights To maintain neutrality
Great Britain may desire to crush ar
enemy through the suppression OF trade
but she mas not the right to DO It al
our loss or to make us the instrument o.
II.
ut Il for Congress TO determine what
value II Will be to the integrity of neu.
trail rights for the United States to have
become unhesttatingly their CHAMPION