The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1915-02-02
NO PROTEST AGAINST
SHIP PURCHASE BILL
UNDERWOOD AND BRYAN
DENY RECEIVING NOTE
FROM GREAT BRITAIN
REPUBLICANS
MAKE CHARGE
Representative Man Afraid State
Department Has Not Been
Entirely Frank.
Wy Associated Prnss.l

WASHINGTON. Feb. 1.-Insistent
statements today by Representative
Mann and other Republicans in the
houst that the state department has
received a note from Great Britain re-
garding the pending ship purchase
bill brought forth denials from both
Majority Leader Underwood and Sec
retaFy Bryan. The note was alleged to
have been from Sir Edward Grey der
| claring the proposed purchase of
German or Austrian ships an unneu.
trail act. -
During the day Secretary Bryan
made a, formal statement:
NO natiop has protested against
tie passage OF the shipping bill end
! /, is not likely that any nation will or
| would since the bill does not neces--
sarily raise any diplomatic questions.
ut is not proper for the state de-
partment at this time to discuss the
| manner in which the authority con-
ferred by the bill will, or should be
exercised. We assume that the au-
thority conferred upon the president
| and those who will be associated with
him in the matter will be exercised
properly and with due regard to the
| nations welfare
When Representative Underwood
denied the existence of note, Repre-
| sentative Mann said he had no doubt
of the majority leaders, sincerity, but
vas afraid the state department had
| not been entirely frank with him.
Information has come to me-" said
Mr.. Mann, 'in way which / think
makes 1t reliable that the state de-
partment not only has had commune
cation on the subject. but that. that sis-
IpartIhent has had q letter on the SUBJ
1ect from an official of the British
government"
Mr.. Underwood repeated his denial
| when Mr.. Mann suggested that the
representations might have been made
| though mot in writing"
1T might haSa been thoasans!
things replied the Democratic lead
er. "The bill pending in the senate
fas not the line in it that compels the
| purchase of German ship or intern
ed ship of the Allies. 1t leaves it dis
cretionary with the board to be ap-
pointed"
Representative Lenrcot, of. Wiscon-
| sin, suggested that Mr.. Underwood
make aputher inquiry of the depart-
| ment when Representative Cullop in
formed the house of the formal denial
| issued uy Mr.. Bryan. Representative
Garner, Of Texas, asked Mr. Under
| wood whether the British ambassador
In discussing the subject. did so on
instruction from his government. Mr.
| Underwood said he did not think Il
necessary to answer further ques-
tions.
In a conference with newspaper
men late today Secretary Bryan was
asked numerous questions about the
alleged note. He was asked If he had
discussed the subjects involved in the
shipping bill with any representa-
| tive of any foreign government"
Il am not willing" replied the sec.
retary. ito discuss with any foreign
| governments the manner In which the
power, IL conferred, will be .exercis.
ed"
The secretary was asked IL any OF
the foreign governments had present.
ed their views Degrading, the transfer
Tof ships, He said he did not care tC
discuss questions which were no,
connected with this particular propo.
sition' and intimatde published re.
ports had associated notes received
some time ago on various phases oi
the ship registry question with an ap.
plication to the pending bill. -
/ while you were away the secre.
iary was told, ''the statement was
made that the British ambassador had
said. to you that the British govern.
ment would Look upon the transfer oi
any yesDels now. interned In Ameri
can ports-1Ge and Austrian yes
se,s--sis an unneutral act"
| Go to the person who gave yor
tfhat etatement and let him confirm
it,, suggested Mr.. RrvaE.
At the British embassy, Sir Ceci
Sprfng-Rice refused TO see newspaper
men or discuss the published reports