South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-08
Sen. la Toilette introduces
Resolutions Looking to Pro-
lection of Maritime Trade
and Cessation of War.
PROPOSES PERMANENT
INTERNATIONAL COURT
Will Make 1t Clear That Posi-
biIity Of u. S. Ship Being
Being Destroyed by Mine Is
GraveIy Regarded.

WASHINGTON. Feb S-Tho first
action in congress demanding protec-
tion for United States trade from tho
dangers created by the German paper
blockade" OF Great Britain and
France was contained ia joint reso-
luton offered by Sen. LaFolette OF
Wisconsin today The resolution
authorizes the president 10 convey to
all neutral nations the desire of This
government that an international con
ference be held for the purpose of
promoting a federation of the neutral
nations to protect their rights and to
seek an early establishment of peace
in Europe
The preamble 10 the resolution re
cites that the war has brought about
conditions encrOaching upon the rights
of neutral trade and endangering the
situation of neutral peoples.
Objects to Resolution.
The six objects Of such a confer
ence as proposed by Sen. LaFouette
are.
The early cessation OF ho-tiIities
and the establishment OF peace amone
the warning nations of Europe
2.-The consideration of uniform
rules and regulations for the general
limitation OF armaments and the ma
tiOnallZatiOn 0f the manufacture of
all equipment and supplies used eN-
clusively for military and naval pun
poses.
3.-The consideration OF rules and
regulations for the prohibition OF eX-
port OF arms. ammunition. artillery.
vessels of war. armOr plate tOrpedOes
or any other thing designed 10 hc used
exclusively for military or naval puT-
poses from one country TO another
1.-The ultimate esta bIishment of
an international tribunal where any
nation may be heard on any issue in
voNing rights vital 20 its peace and
the development of its national life "a
tribunal whose DEGREES shall be en-
force 10y the enlightened judgment ot
the world.
5.-The consideration OF plans for
the federation of the neutral nation
In the adoption of rules and regula-
tions which viii provide for the neu-
tralization OF certain waters and mar
itime trade routes, and such other and
further action as shall insure IL pos
sible the peaceful maintenance and
preservation Of the sovereign rights of
neutral commerce against dangers q,
which it is exposed through the eX-
traordinary conditions developed Dos
the worlds greatest war and.
6.-For further actions which shall
tend. however remotely. 10 establish
permanent worlds peace
Twenty-Five thousand dollars iS o.
bee appropriated for the appearance ui
the commission al the conference.
VIII Make Position Clear.
The Duited States In the near fu-
ture viii make it clear 90 Germany
that even possibility Of an American
steamship being blown up by Ger
man torpedo is regarded with the
gravest apprehension by this govern
uent. accOrding TO the views OF ad-
ministration officials today.
The United States does not intend go
Ict Germany throw off the yo ~ re-
sponsi1iIty for the possible sinking of
lam American steamship hy means OF
the admiralty warning This was
made known In official circles
Although the situation was eased
hy The publication Of the FUN text ~
the German decree the warming still
remains. containing the suggestion
THAI German submarine may at any
time mistake neutral for British
ship and send her to the bottom %
the sea. The fact that the Lusitania
few the American tag going into
Liverpool has intensified the comp.i-
cations arising from the self-coufessed
difficulties of the Germans in distin-
gushing between lfflil~l ana neutral
ships.
II is not likely that "a formal pro-
test viii ne sent 10 Berlin but COM
munication is TO be made 20 Am
bassador Gerard stating the American
position and inquiring further as Co
safety OF passengers and crew on not
only American but other ships
Washington j. Confident.
Although no Official statement has
vet been made. it was stated on eN-
cellent authority that the United
States cannot accept the German pro-
cedure OF blowing up merchant ships
by submarines as within the scope Of
civilized warfare. It has no concern
with the abstract application of this
principle however as 30 involves
American ships. There is "a feeling
OF confidence in Washington that no
American ships viii Doe molested bT
submarines but the action of the
Lusitania in hoisting the American
flag. has made them nervous. as con
fusion and difficulty bound 90 result
III British merchant and pe~senser
vessels continue this practice.
Legal authorities on both sides or
the Atlantic agree that the captain ~
the T.usitania was fully within his
rs. .r.frtr rhFe and f4r chat