Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-01-26
ROOT WARNS SHIP
BILL MAY PLUNGE
AMERICA INTO WAR
New York Senator Fears Measure
Probe Will Cost United States
It's Neutrality.
POINTS OUT THE DANGERS
Tense Feeling of Uncle Sans Citi-
gems of British and German
Extraction Peril.
MIGHT REND ENTIRE NATION

WASHINGTON. Jan. Ex-senator Root
led the republican attack on the admin
istration ship in the senate today with
n denunciation OF the democratic caucus
which made the bill party measure; Of
the parliamentary tactics BY which the
democrats have so far forced the repub-
licans to do all the debating and finally
with a denunciation of the bill itself
The attitude OF the democrats nc char
acterized as conspiracy OF silence"
TO put through the bill by pressure OF
physical weakness" For ten days. he
said, the minority has been compelled to
face the prospect of eight hours con-
tinuous talking without word Of dis-
cussion from the majority side and with
out more than half dozen democratic
members In the chamber.
Measure New Departure.
1T does not seem to me that this bill,
which would put the government into
the business of foreign shipping, Is re-
ceiving the kind Of discussion 1t should
have" he said. "It is important not
merely because it involves expenditure
at a time when We have been forced to
make up a deficit. but also because II
ernbarks the government on a new de-
parture based on a reversal OF principle
OF government long maintained. No such
change IN policy was contemplated by
the people when they put the present ad-
n1inistration in power. -. T.
'The fact that this measure cannot
have that kind Of discussion which it
demands at this short session of con-
gress, = continued Senator Root, ''shows
that It ought not to pass at this session.
Fraught with Danger.
Il have been present in legislative bod
les" he said when no voice was clear
enough. no courage high enough to break
away from the custom which accepted
and registered the direction Of a chief
executive. Let us not be too confident
that we are proof against that process.
We abandon today the performance
OF our function of discussing this meas
ure among ourselves as to enlighten the
people concerning II. and We have taken
one step further than ever before in the
process that makes us a registering body
rather than legislative body We have
taken step fraught with dangers and
fatal results TO a representative govern
nent. We can Justify our existence as
body only By the performances Of sour
duty.
The liberties OF a free people depend
on the courage and persistency OF a mi
nority. They depend also on the iude-
pendence of thought and action of all
members of legislative body. If we
are but to register and smother our own
judgment, we are contributing our part
to a process more fatal to our country
than any legislation that we can DEVISE
London Declaration Interpreted.
Senator Root discussed the declaration
of London and read from instructions
to German naval commanders at the out
break OF the war. the statement that
ships of the enemy transferred to neutral
flag were to be regarded as enemy's
ships unless the commander Of the Ger
man vessel stopping them was convinced
that the transfer would have occurred
even II the war had not broken out.
The Interpretation OF the rule was very
plain. Senator Root said.
The ordinary trade in ships was not
TO be prevented, he said, but none of
these great powers will permit the
citizens of the enemy 70 rob them OF
their trade by the transfer OF ships they
are entitled to capture on the high seas |
to q neutral flag
Senator Root pointed out that although |
American delegates had contenaed TO
have their views on transfers OF ships !!
Incorporated in the London conference |
declaration; that was NOT done and the |
United States agreed TO the final report |
There is the law of Europe" said the |
senator. "and against that we will have |
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