Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-06-10

MY reason for resigning Is clearly
stated in my letter Of resignation,
namely. that may employ as a private
citizen the means which the President
does not feel at liberty to employ. I
honor him doing what he believes to
be right and am sure that he desires.
as do. 10 find a peaceful solution Of
the problem which has been created by
the action Of the submarines.
Points Of Differences
Two Of the points on which We diff
fer. each conscientious in his convic-
ton are:
First. as to the suggestion Of inves-
tigation by an international commits
sion. and.
Second. as to warning Americans
against travelling on belligerent vessels
or with cargoes of ammunition.
II believe that this nation should
frankly state to Germany that we are
willing to apply. in this case. the prin-
ciple which We are bound by treaty to
apply to disputes between the United
States and 80 countries with which we
have made treaties providing for inves-
tigation Of all disputes Of every char
acter and nature.
Effect Of Treaties
These treaties, negotiated under this
administration. make war practically
impossible between this country and
these 50 governments representing
nearly three fourths Of all the people
Of the world.
Among the nations with which we
have these treaties are Great Britain,
France and Russia. No matter what
disputes may arise between US and
the treaty nations. We agree that there
shall be no declaration of war and no
commencement of hostilities until the
matters in dispute have been investi-
gated by the international commission
AND years time is allowed for inves-
tigation and report. This plan was Of
fered to all the nations without any
exceptions whatever and Germany was
one Of the nations that accepted the
principle, being the Eth. think. to &C
cept. No treaty was actually entered
into with Germany, but 1 cannot see
that should stand in the way when
both nations endorsed the principle /
do not know whether Germany would
accept the offer, but our country should
in my judgment, make the offer.
Would Silence Jinsoes
Such an offer. if accepted. would
at once relieve the tension and silence
all the jingoes, who are demanding
war.
Germany has always been a friend
ly nation, and a great many of our
people are OF German ancestry. Why
should We not deal with Germany ac-
cording TO this plan. to which the ma
ton has pledged its support?
The second point Of difference is as
to the course which should be pursued
in regard to Americans travelling on
belligerent ships or with cargoes Of
ammunition.
Citizens Responsibility
Why should an American citizen be
permitted to involve his country in war
by travelling upon a belligerent ship
when he knows that the ship will pass
through a danger zone? The question
is not whether an American citizen has
a right, under international law, to
travel on a belligerent ship; the ques-
ton is whether he ought not. out Of
consideration for his country, If not
for his own safety, avoid danger when
avoidance is possible. 1t is a very one
sided citizenship that eompels a gov
eminent to go to war over L citizens
rights and yet relieves the citizen Of
all obligations to consider his nations
= e.
the President can legally go in actual
ly preventing Americans from travel
ing on belligerent ships, but / believe
the government should go as far as il
can, and that in case of doubt ii should
give the benefit Of the doubt to the
government.
But even if the government could
not legally prevent citizens from trsv-
cling on belligernt ships. it could and,
in my judgment. should earnestly ad-
wise American citizens not to risk
themselves or the peace Of their coun-
try, and I have no doubt that these
warnings would be needed.
President Taft advised Americans
to leave Mexico when instruction
broke out there, and President Wilson
has repeated the advice. This advice,
in my judgment was eminently wise
and think the same course should be
followed in regard to warning Amer
leans to keep off vessels subject tc at
tack.
Would Stop Carrying Ammunition
Il think, too. that American passen-
ger ships should be prohibited from
carrying ammunition. The lives of
passengers ought not to be endanger-
ed by cargoes Of ammunition whether
that danger comes from possible ex-
plosions within or from possible at
tacks from without. Passengers and
ammunition should not travel togeth-
er. The attempt to prevent Ameri-
can citizens from mourning these risks
is entirely consistent with the effort
which our government is making to
prevent attacks from submarine.
The use Of one remedy does not
exclude the use Of the other. The
most famous illustration is to be
found in the action taken by munich
pal authorities during q riot 1t is
the duty of the mayor to suppress the
mob and to prevent violence. but he
does not hesitate to warn citizens to
keep OF the streets during the riots.
He does not question their right to use
ho efroofS hat for thar ou-r