The Washington herald., 1915-01-25


to prohibit the export OF arms and
munitions OF war. ] shall continue to
tight for it. ] predict that some day
IL will be incorporated in international
law and constitute the greatest step
toward permanent peace. When the
United States ships cannon and guns
abroad she commits a breach of neu-
trality because she is supplying only
the allies. Germany has no chance TO
enter the market as a purchaser be-
cause Great Britain controls the seas.
Consequently our country is aiding but
one side and making the words OF its
Presidents proclamation and its own
prayers a mockery.
"Drags Our ships Into Port"
And still England continues to stop
our ships on the high seas. drags them
to her own ports, and otherwise Grip
pies our commerce and interferes with
our mails-and barefaced insults to
Old Glory. Let US be certain its beau
tiful folds will be respected by all ma
tions when it covers our legitimate
trade"
Representative volImer was frequently
interrupted by applause, whistling.
stamping, and other expressions OF ap-
provaL d. w. Baker. formerly United
States district attorney, who presided at
the meeting, introduced Representative
W. II. Stafford of Wisconsin.
Mr.. Stafford dwelt on the fact that the
action OF the United States in furnishing
armament to the allies while Germany
was unable to buy constitutes a breach
of neutrality.
Il contend that II the government Is
not privileged to equip and sell any ship
or send any expedition to the countries
at war. the great armament firms and
corporations which are part and parcel
Of the government should not be per-
mitted to furnish the belligerents with
the instruments of war. II both sides
had equal opportunity to trade at our
ports, IT might be fair. but Great Britain
controls the seas and it is not. Picture
to yourself the state of affairs that would
exist If We were in our death struggle
nished our enemy with arms through
Canada. What do you think we'd feed
| toward Germany then?
''Germany Refuses to Protest"
We should voice some protest against
these unlawtul and unhOly practices and
the present United States neutrality
which is only a name for pro-British fav-
oritisn- Germany in her great pride re-
fuses to protest against our unneutral ac-
tlons. But we ourselves should stand up
and declare for a real prohibition Of ar
mament expectation, not any grape
| juice prohibition, but one that will check
the slaughter abroad. Let us stand for
a neutrality in fact as well as in name
a diplomacy based on justice. not a dol
lar diplomacy based on blood money re-
ceived for the slaughter of our friends
John Dewey, editor of the Gaelic Amer
lean, OF New York, in his address told
of the recent incident of the stopping of
the United States battleship Texas on the
high seas by three British cruisers A
solid shot was fred across the bows of
the Texas, he said. According to his
tale, Capt. Grant, of the Texas, replied
by clearing the decks for action.
When Mr.. Dewey told OF this the audi
ence aplauded loudly. He added that
he had since heard of a severe reprimand
being given to Capt Grant The audi
ence hissed. One man In the back of
the house cried out, Il don't believe
it"
Mr.. Dewey also declared that Ireland
would be glad If the allies should be
defeated. He mentioned the song, 1T s
Long Way to TippeTary," as being writ
ten by an EnGlishman about a place in
| Ireland and adopted as the British march
ing song. Kisses were heard at the
mention Of the song.
Want Strict Neutrality.
~ lne close OF Ine meeting resolutions
were unanimously adopted embodying
the spirit of the meeting. The resolu-
! tions were as follows:
Resolved, That we. as citizens of the
United States in mass meeting assem-
| bled, do voice our strong protest against
any action or conduct upon the part OF
our government. % its officials which
might injure or offend any nation with
which we are at peace. and so violate
strict and impartial neutrality. which we
are in duty and honor bound to observe.
| Further, we do most earnestly protest
against and object to further sale and
export OF arms and munitions Of war Ia
the belligerents where by one nation or
party Of nations may have advantage OF
other nations. admitting such sale and
export to be incompatible with that neu-
! trality which requires our country Ia
abstain from every act which makes
better or worse the condition Of the bel
| ligerents. We call upon Congress and
the President to Immediately enact such
laws as will exactly fix the status OF
contraband articles in conformity with
that high standard of morality which we
as a nation ought to hold "