New Britain herald., 1915-03-17
ENGAGES BRYAN IN
HEATED ARGUMENT
mCManuS' Business Partner Scores
U1ited States Mexican Policy.

Washington, March 17.-George w.
knoblauch Of New York, business
partner of the late John B. Nc
Manus, the American citizen who was
killed recently in Mexico City, en-
gagged Secretary Bryan in a heated
argument at the state department
yesterday on the subject of demo-
cratic and republican politics in refer
ence to the protection of foreigners
in Mexico.
KnoblauCh came here In the inter-
ests of the widow and children of mis-
business associate, for whom he seeks
an adequate indemnity. After an in
terview with Mr.. Bryan, he went to
the White House, to get, he said, in
formation on the viewpoint, of Secre-
tary Tumulty in the matter The
latter referred him to Secretary Bryan,
saying the matter was being handled
TT the state department through the
Brazilian minister in Mexico City.
Later in the day local newspaper
published an interview with Knob
LAUGH, quoting him as saying he had
been unable to find out what mad been
done by the state department, and
had appealed to the president and that
in his talk with Secretary Bryan the
latter had got angry because of a
reference to the democratic platform
as pledging protection to the lives and
property of Americans abroad.
Bryan Is Stirred.
When the interview was shown to
Secretary Bryan, he said:
"Knoblauch began to criticise the
democratic party and I told him it
didn't make any difference to us when
we were protecting Americans whether
they were republicans or dem ocrats,
and I didn't think it would make any
difference to the Mexicans down
there"
Mr. Knoblauch cited the democratic
platform and when Mr.. Bryan asked
him what his politics were, said re-
publican The secretary said later he
had refused to discuss the question
further from a partisan basis and with
that point desposed Of they took up
different phases Of the McManus case
II told Knoblauch,' said Mr.. Bryan,
that it made no difference to the
Mexicans what party we represented
when we told them what we thought
and we certainly did not tell people
who were being protected by this gov
to be partisan. I have had a
both in office and out of office. and
expect to while I'm in this office, and
expect to after I go out of this office,
but it doesn't keep me from doing
what is right"
Copy of Interview Untrue.
Late yesterday knoblaucn returned |
20 the department with a copy of the !
interview attributed to him and told |
- -
said he was unable to get satisfaction |
On leaving Knoblauch Informed the |
men that he had had "a |
pleasant and agreeable talk" and was |
that in the present case the !
state department had done all that |
+ could thus far He had been |
shown copies of kilograms to and |
rom the Brazilian minister and had !
oeen given all the details of the at
,air possessed by the Washington gov
eminent. Later he issued a state |
nent in which he said:
MY criticism was directed against |
he general policy of the present adj
question The democratic national
platform specifically promised to
who reside in foreign
countries or on the border, protection
both as to their lives and their prop |
erty. I maintain, and / believe l can
prove my contention, that Americans
in Mexico or on the border
have been given virtually no protec- !
lion during the troubles that have pre-
vailed in that country in the last
four years, and, I may add, that in |
this respect the Taft administration
was as remiss as the present one
Not Naturalized Mexican.
Chicago March 17-Relatives Of
Iohn B. McManus, the former Chi
cagoan who was killed by Zapata |
troops, March II, in Mexico City yes
Lerday denied the truth of the re-
port that he had become naturalized |
citizen of Mexico.