The Alaska daily empire., 1915-01-18
L2 DIS
AfRIC8 00R


 Roosevelt lhat the United states was just as obligod to interfere when Ger many invaded Belgium ae was eteas Britain Apparently most ot the can adlan Dapers, however think that tne United Smtes acted wisely when sne decided 10 fayor of neutrality ou0 these as tho others arc avery anAions that Che sympothles of the American people should he with Great Britain, and are anxioua that there be no mis' understanding of the British position in connection with the ahipmen1 2i contrsband Of war.
 The Toronto Globe. regarded gene orally by Americans as the apiest news paper In canada and one of che very strongest supporters of the Liporai party in tue Dominion reviewed tue neutral shipping question h its issue of January D. and marked copies of the publication containing it were sent 70 many American papers. The Empire received Q copy in the last mall rom the South.
 The editorial follows:
 "New Englapd's armament factories arc working night and day making mu- niuons of war and army supplies for any bolligermt nation that can pay for them and is willing to take the risk of lnterceDtion on the high seas. The condition of affairs is very well Illustrated by the seizure of the Dutch steamer Rotterdam at Genoa rom New York When she left the Unit ed States she was supposed to bo car rying a cargo Of grain to Italy When she was searched at Genoa it was dis covered that beneath the srain was hidden au enormous quantity Of cop per besides 9 number of boxes ot mu- nitons of war destined for Germany
 eIf President Wilson thinks that the manlfests of vessels like the Rotler- dam will be accepted at their face val ne and the vessels permitted to pass through tho British blockading squad rons without examination they are badly mistaken. The manufacturers of Che United States who know the facts are under no such illusion. They Iaro quite prepared to sell all the war supplies they cam make bat they are mot prepared to guarantee delivery n Europe by pretending that coper IS grain and rubber is sausage casines' iThe Providence Journal issued in Che very center of the New England ar. mamen. producing region, puts the case very plainly in an article on New Years Day from which the following extract Is taken:
 "nhero i6 d phase of che present : discussion botwcen tho United States ] and Great Britain with regard to Che stopping Of neutral ships and alleged neutral cargoes which make make the situation dangerous unless 1t is frank ly and fully recognized The British reply to tho American note will m doubteely contain some startling i gures .in connection with tremendous l ly increased shipments of various ma teriols from lhe United States to neu tral ports since the beginning of the war. The plain inference of course being that the entire increase means that consignees in neutral ports are simply acting as agents for Germany to which an of the increase is going I "In this connection it IS just as
  l well to face the facts at the beginning | If tho British goyornment chooses to make a careful investigation, as oi course it will do, it will discover in 1 side off week, what thousands Of peo pie in New England already know tnaI many of the manufacturers m tni' section of the country have for monthi been selling to Germon agents in che l United States machinery and mater lal of an kinds. which they know ii destined for Germany although it ii consigned to middiemen in neutra ports. The New England manuiactm ! CT, of. course. Is not to blame. He get' his money and the German agent takei the risk But it is common knowledge that this material is being manuiac tured for Germany and that the trici of consignlng to Q dummy consigned in neutral port is being practiceS l constantly.
 president Wilson and Secretar, Bryan are not the shrewd men o business most people consider then ! if they do not recognize that the frau dulent vessels engaged In the sup pressiou of contraband trade to selz' and hold neuuals. Cargo cannot oi paved over in midoccan to discoye the copper at the bottom of Q load o grain. The suspected vessel must 1' taken Into the most convenient DOT of Che 8llies for examination, and Una ! necessarily means long period ot de tenton. The President in his note t l tho British foreign office made no ad ! mission that citizeus or the 9uite' ! States were participating in the proi ! its of conlraband traffic carrier under lrmdulent manifests. but in l supplementary statement he said 'The government could dool cont dently with the subiect only it sul ported by absolutely honest manites'' ] Tho great embarrassment to the gov ] ernmeul in dealing with the who'll matter was that some shippers ha I concealed connaband u carsoes O ! uon-conUaband articles, Tor eAaiapie uuder q cargo of cotton. So long a there were nstauces of that kim suspicion was cast on every salpmen and all cargoos were liable 70 oouo l and search. the legitimate trad CTS of ihe United States wish lo pre- vent che loss aud nnoyence follow ----- -.--.- -.n l---m--n- n- ----.-