Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-27
ROOSEVELT ACCUSES
WILSON AND CABINET


the interest of the foreign corporations
owning or interested in the ownership OF
the interned ships. IF IL had not been.
then these ships would have been specifi-
cally exempted from the operations OF
the act This statement again cannot be
denied. 1t is useless to attempt to deny
II, and II would be mere folly to get me
to testify on the matter. when my in
formation is merely that which is patent
to every man of common sense who taker
an interest In his country's welfare, and
is acquainted with the course OF current
events. There was no precedent for the
proposed action for purchase by the Gov
ernnlent as It Is wholly distinct from pur
chase by private individuals. and never
before has It been proposed that our
Government should purchase the ships OF
belligerent Powers.
That the purpose of the bill was the
purchase OF the German interned ships
was in effect admitted by Secretary Nc
Adoo in his testimony before the House
committee last summer. which testimony
was quoted by Senator Lodge In his first
speech in the Senate on the subject and
must be familiar to you
CONFLICT OPENLY INVITED.
'As for President Wilson and Secretary
Bryan knowing that this proposed act
would bring us into conflict with tile
powers opposed to the power owning the
nterned ships. I can refer YOU to the
speeches In the United States Senate OF
Senators Lodge and Root and others. 7
am Informed that our Government was
officially or unofically notified OF this
fact by representatives of the foreign
governments with which we would ne
brought into hostile contact by the
measure: but whether or not this is so
any man In a public position who did his
duty, who was Informed in any way of
the sentiment In the foreign countries
concerned about the measure or who had
read the debates. of the United States
Senate or the articles in our own press
on the subject could not possibly have
avoided knowing that we would have
been brought into conflict with foreign
powers by the success of the measure;
that In the words OF one OF your own
body. we were purchasing a quarrel with
every ship. 1t therefore appears that
First, President Wilson and Secretary /
McAdoo approved the measure.
Second, that 1t was In the interest of |
foreign corporations owning the interned |
ships.
''Third, that the success of the measure
would havo meant the likelihood of em
broiling us with the allied power.
Fourth. that all OF these facts had
been stated again and again; that they
were brought ont at length In the debates
In the United States Senate and publlca-
ions OF every kind; that the great benefit
La the corporations owning the interned
ships. which were Of course. foreign cor
oorations. and the fact that the pur-
chase was In their interest. were matters
De common notoFlety TO every intelligent
man.. and that 1t Is. of course, childish
10 maintain that President Wilson and
Secretary Bryan and Secretary McAdoo
did not know these facts. which every
pDe else did know
What ] have said, therefore, Is not
1nly literally true. but cannot be sue
'essfully disputed In any particular. II
{ based on knowledge available TO every
me. All the matters spoken of are mat
ers of common notoTiety.
ITO ask me to testify before your
on the subject is literally and
lrecisely as II you should ask me 10
esnfy to the damaging effect of the
ariff bill on the American sugar grower
- removing the duty on sugar. or 10
how that the amateur war with Mex
co last summer (Which resulted In a
Treater loss OF life in the American navy
han occurred in the American navy
Turing the entire war with SPAIN was
Inded and Vera Cruz abandoned with
lut obtaining a salute for the American |
Tag Ny knowledge as 10 effects OF the
arln bill on the American sugar grower
p iei'ssiana and elsewhere, as to the
pseudo or amateur war with Mexico
nd finally as TO the ship purchase bill,
+ in every case based on facts which
re mattefs Of common notoristy, which
aFs known 70 all intelligent men who
knop anything OF the subject at all,
shleh are derived from sources as readily
accessible 20 your honorable committee
as 70 myself and 10 all other citizens. I
lave no more special knowledge to enable
ne 10 testify about one OF these mat
lars than about the others.
In no one Of the cases II there need of
pedal knowledge The facts are public
'foneFty. Every one knows them. There
+ 30 possibility OF dlsputins them 10
zk me 10 come before your committee Is
fecIsaly ike asking Senator Root. sena-
= Lodge. Senator Borah. Senator Bur-
aa Senator Smoot and all the other
eaHtors Who were opposed 10 the pas
asa 81 the shipping bill and 10 whose
|attments aDa arguments you have lis
aH1d q come before your Committed
: eopd narpose could possibly be served
canning. All that ! could do would
- 1rs#afe with greater emphasis what
Hn tafeiu stated 10 you. II you de-
- rake 40 afEunent against what
sate $40. u + not proper 70 set me
ze teaE eomulttoa IA order 70 make
tHHFa IEsHHesfuIf.
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