The Alaska daily empire., 1915-06-18

outA ih itehAu " flNNA tNtAN 'tef N'..'1 on belligerent ships with cargoes of ammunition
 Why should an American citizen be permitted to involve his country inl war by travelling on a belligerent ship when he knows that that ship will pass through danger zone? The question is not whether an American citizen has a right under international law to travel on a belligerent vessel the question is whether he ought not out of consideration for his country, if not for his own safety, to avoid dan ger when avoidance is possible.
 "It is a very one.sided citizenship that compels government Go go to| war over citizens rights and yet relieves the citizen of the obligations to consider his sation's welfare. | do not know just how far the Presl- dent can legally so in actually pre-. venting Americans from travelling on .belligerent ships, but believe the government should go as far as 1t can. and that in case of doubt it should give the benefit of doubt to the government.
 "But even if the government could not legally prevent citizens from trav- cling on belligerent ships. 1t could. and. in my Judgment should earnest. ly advise American citizens not to risk themselves or the peace of their country. and have no doubt that these warnings would be needed
 Advice Given as to Mexico
 President Taft advised Americans to leave Mexico when insurrec- uou broke out there. and President Wilson has repeated the advice This adivce, in my judgment was emitent- ly wise. and think the same course should be followed in warning the Americans Go keep off vessels subject to attack
 'I think too. that American pas, senger ships should be prohibited from carrying ammunition The lives of passengers ought not to be en- dangered by cargoes of ammunition. whether that danger comes from pos sible attacks from without Passen- gers and ammunition should not trav- el together. The attempt to prevent American citizens from mourning this risk is entirely consistent with the effort which our government is mak- ing to prevent attacks from submar- ines.
 "The use of one remedy does not exclude tEe use of the other The most familiar illustration is to be seen in the action taken by the municipal authorities during a riot. It is the du- ty of the mayor to suppress the mob l and prevent violence, but he does not hesitate to warn citizens to keep off the streets. but for their own protec- tion. and in the interests of order ne warns them not to incur the risks in- volved in going upon the streets when men are shooting at each other
 Attitude Of President
 "The President does not feel iusti- fled in taking the action above stat ed That is he does not feel justi- fled. first, in suggesting the submis- sion of the controversy to investiga- ton; or second in warning people mot Co incur the extra hazards in travelling on belhgerent ships or on ships carrying ammunition And he may be right in the position he has taken. but as private citizen am free to urge both Of these propositions land to call public attention to these remedies in the hope of securing such an expression of public sentiment as will support the president in employ ing these remedies. if. in the future. he finds 1t consistent with his sense ! Inf Gnf,. to favor thpm