The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-01-26
PROPOSE TO BUY
GERMAN SHIPS
Says England, France and
Russia Will Object to
Such a CauseSenator
Williams Replying Says
Those in Charge Will Do
Nothing Stupid or Foolish
in Making Purchase Of
Ships.
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.


that the pending government ship
purchase bill II carried into effect will
involve the United States in serious
international controversies was ex-
pressed In the senate today by Sem
ator Root, Of New York.
He also charged the democrats
with attempting to rush a bill through
by "brute force and weight of votes
and warned his colleagues against the
danger OF reducing the senate to a
mere registering instead Of legisla-
tive body"
Roots speech, aroused the demo-
Gratis, who for several days had re-
manned silent, while the speakers at
: tackled the bill, and drew sharp re-
plies from Senators Williams. Stone
and Simmons.
The New York Senator asserted
that the administration's purpose was
to buy informed German ships for the
proposed government corporation He
pointed out that Great Britain. France
and Russia had adopted rule that to
transfer ships during q war only
would be valid when II was proved the
transfer was not made to escape the
danger OF capture and other conse-
quences OF war.
In this connection he attacked the
opinion Of tho solicitor of the state
department and commented caustical-
Iy on the attitude OF Secretary Nc
Adco saying ''he was filed with APP
prehension Of putting such vast pow
ers into the hands of q man who
thinks there is no ground for difn-
Guilty"
Senator williams said he had no
idea that those In control Of the pro-
posed ship corporation would do any
thing stupid or foolish.
NEEDS DISCUSSION.
TT does not seem to me that this
bill. which would put the government
into the business Of foreign shipping
IS receiving the right kind of discus
sion IL should have said Senator Root.
1T IL important not merely be-
cause II involves q vast expenditure
az time when we have been forced
to make up a dencit; but also be-
cause II embarls the government on
a new department based on q rever-
sal OF principle Of government long
maintained. No such change In policy
was contemplated by the people when
they put the present administration in
power
Senator Root discussed the declar-
alton or London and read from In
structions to German naval comman-
ders at the outbreak OF the war, the
statement that ships Of the enemy
transferred to neutral flag were 10
besreEarded the assembly ships unless
the commander OF the German vessel
stopping them was convinced that the
transfer have occurred .'even II the
war had not broken out"
TIE Interpretation OF the rule was
very plain. Senator Root said.
'The ordinary trade In ships was
not to be prevented" he said, but
none OF these great powers win permit
tho citizeps, OF the enemy to rob them
OF their trade by the transfer. Of ships
they are Aentitled to capture on the
high seas, to neutral nag
Mr.. Root pointed out that although
American delegates had contended to
have their Views on transfer Of ships
Incorporated In the London confer
ence declaration that was not done
and tho United states agreed to- the
final report.
There Is the law OF Europe" said
the senator. and against that we
win have 20 come. Tho secretary OF
the treasury. says the United States
would not be involved In any diff
Guilty IL 1t were to buy these ships. He
refers to-, some timid people who
think that. there would be difficulty
am sorry to write myself into the
category Of the timid people but
do not agree with the secretary Of the
treasury. / am filled with apprehep-
sion by the idea Of putting these vast
powers In the hands of man who
thinks there is no ground for dim
Guilty.
Senator Root read from hearings
before the house naval committee AT
which Robert Lansing. counsellor OF
the state department questioned on
the subject. said that ne thought that
the transportation OF contraband to
belligerent ports In public ships of the
United States would go much farther
than the question of liability and that
II would be regarded as an unneutral
60