Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-16
WILSON WILL FIGHT
ARMS EMBARGO WHEN
CONGRESS CONVENES
Rejoinder to Austria on NUM-
tions Export Protest Regard
ed as First Broadside
in Campaign
FOR HOME CONSUMPTION
WARRINGTON

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1s.
The Administration viii oppose all ef-
forts to place an embargo OH arms when
Congress reoonvenes. Taking advantage
Of the opening afforded by the Austrian
note OF protest against the expectation
Of munitions 10 the Allies, the President
has put the Administration squarely on
record as opposing ennbargoes. In doing
sc, he has made a strong play for posi-
ton in declaring that to establish an enl-
barge now would seriously embarrass
| this country II II should ever be faced
| by war.
| Following are salient extracts from the
| text OF the American note to Austria
! Hungary on shipment OF munitions from
the United States to Great Britain and It's
! Allies:
THE Government Of the United States
is surprised to find the Imperial
and Royal Government implying that the
observance OF the strict principles of the
! law under the conditions which have de-
veloped in the present war is insufficient
ITO this assertion OF an obligation to
change or modify the rules of interna-
tlohal usage on account of special oondi-
tions the Government OF the United
States cannot accede.
1T is pertinent to direct the attention
Of the Imperial and Royal Government
to the fact that Austria Hungary and
Germany, particularly the latter, have
during the years preceding the present
European war produced great surplus
OF arms and ammunition, which they
sold throughout the world, and especially
to belliserents. Never during that period
did either OF them suggest or apply the
principle now advocated by the Imperial
and Royal Government.
During the Boer War Germany
sold to Great Britain hundreds OF
thousands of kilos of explosives. gunpow-
der. cartridges, shot and weapons; and
it is known that Austria Hungary also
sold similar munitions to the same pur-
chaser
THE United States has always de-
pended upon the right and power to pur-
chase arms and ammunition from neutral
nations in case OF foreign attack. This
right, which 1t claims for itself II can
not deny to others.
The general adoption by the nations
OF the world Of the theory that neutral
Powers ought to prohibit the sale OF
arms and ammunition to belligerents
would result in every nation be-
coming an armed camp, ready to resist
aggression and tempted to employ force
In asserting its rights rather than appeal
to reason and Justice"
In the Presidents new argument ex-
perienced politicians here see the firing
Of the first gun against the Bryan peace
program. arranged by the former, secre-
tary OF State.
TO COMBAT BRYAN THEORY.
1t has been accepted here for several
weeks, that when Congress reconvenes |
Mr. Bryan will be on the ground to lead |
a campaign for Endorsement by Congress |
OF his peace program. The little army |
and little navy men have been counting |
on his leading their fight The fact that |
Bryan's former secretary and late trade |
adviser, Robert r. Rose, now is engaged
IN spreading embargo propaganda has
been looked on as very significant.
In consequence politicians see in the
attitude of the President, as set forth
IN the Austrian note, not only a rejonder
for consumption by the Teutonic aiiiaa
but also an effort to outline to the peo.
pie OF the United States the exact at
titude OF the present Administration to-
ward the munitions question
SELF DEFENSE ARGUMENT.
In framing the strongest part of the
note refusing to accept the Austrian sur-
gestion, on the ground that the limited
states would be unable to cope with an
aEgressiVe roe In case OF war If forbidden
TO purchase munitions abroad, the presi-
dent has raised an argument that is ex-
peoted 10 prove very potent IN The south
southern Senators and Representatives.
nave been prominent In the suggestion
that an embargo be declared In retalia-
ton for England's interference with
americas foreign commerce All are
penloerats and necessary 10 the Presi-
dent II his legislative program is not to
be intertered with when Congress con-
venes' The President therefore, Ills ad-
visers say, made a ten-strike when he
INVOKED the aid Of patriotism in firhtinS
the embargo plans '''ns