The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-01
TO SMOKE OUT
- BRYAN ON THE
SHIP WARNING
Pressure Will BE EXcrted in
Congress To-day for Il
Statement.
CONTINUED SILENCE
PUTS BILLIN DANGER


In regard to the ship purchase bill.
especially in its bearing upon foreign
relations, has now reached a point
where the Administration soon will he
obliged to make some statement on
the subject.
Secretary Bryan who received the
British communication making 1t clear
that Great Britain would regard the
purchase and operation Of the in
termed belligerent ships by the United
States as an unneutral act arrived in
Washington tonight. but declined to
make any comment on the disclosures
during his absence.
81 nave authorized no interview on
that subject" was his reply when
questioned in regard to the British
communication.
1t became known tonight that
pressure will he brought to bear upon
the Administration from Congress to-
morrow with a view to a clearing up
OF the Governments intentions re-
Earding the purchase Of ships under
the proposed legislation and the atti-
tude uf Great Britain and the allied
Governments
In all quarters the opinion was en-
pressed to-day. that the moment has
arrived when the Administration must
take the public into it's confidence or
run the risk of having the bill de-
feated
Attitude Of the AIIies.
" has now been established that the
British Government in response to Mr.
Bryan's request. made 1t clear that 1t
would regard as an unneutral act the
release by the United States Of the in
termed German and Austrian ships also
that the French Admiralty rules. now in
effect. require the seizure OF all such
vessels and that the views OF Russia are
IN accord with those OF France.
There Is therefore no room for doubt
that any vessels OF the proposed Govern
ment lines which were formerly under
the Austrian or German flags will
promptly be seized by either the French
or British II the vessels take the seas.
Under these circumstances II Is APP
parent that the proposed Government
ship line cannot render any service In
the existing emergency If Il is TO con.
sist Of these informed vessels
Furthermore. there is no hope Of the
United States obtaining merchant vessels
from British sources. for the English
Government only last month issued or
ders In council making II impossible for
any Government to acquire title to Brit
ish ships which the British Government
would recognize as valid
In other words the British Government
has declared an embargo on the sale ri
ships under its control Even IL British
ships could be acquired they coulc
hardly trade with Germany. as the Ger
man Governments policy with regard to
transfers of registry is like that OF
France and Russia
The only course left open TO the Ad
ministration in case the ship bill Il
passed seems TO be the purchase o.
ships of other neutrals, like Norway
sweden. Denmark, Holland and Italy
But these vessels. II is pointed out. ar,
already In the carrying trade between
the United states and Europe and thei
purchase would not add to the available
tonnage for relieving the freight con
Eestlon alleged to exist. These neutra
ships also are now making such larg,
earnings that they could NOT be acquires
except at fabulous prices.
. Finally. there is another point whic
has been overlooked up 10 this time bu
which may prove troublesome as tn
questions raised by the transfer OF tn
flag. The Government owned line could
II is now insisted. not engage In carrying
ontraband OF war to any of the bel
lgerents, Germany or her enemies, with
out bringing down upon the Unite,
States further serious charges.
To carry contraband Of war. such a
foodstuffs or horses to England an
France in "A Government owned sh
would at once give Germany the right I
charge the United States Governmen
with committing an unneutral and eve
an unfriendly act.