The Detroit times., 1915-01-25
u. s. STATEMENT
DOESN'T SUIT
PRO-GERMANS
tCoatiausa from Page One,


| ~ tCeatiausd from Page oae.)
rotary yehemently denied the charge
that the administration Is either pro-
English. antiGerman or anti-Austrian.
German-Americans were NOT entire.
ly satisfied with his explanations, but
British sympathizers held he had es-
tablished. In this FIRST administration
defense on the neutrality subject, a
clean bill OF health for the United
States.
In face OF constant denials from the
postofiice department. the secretary
Ndmitted that there had been com.
plants concerning belligerents' treat.
|, ment or United States mails aboard
neutral vessels. But he insisted that
Germany's censorship had been as
strict as England's, that there had
been no evidence OF actual destruction
OF mail. and that generally all mail
ultimately reached Its destination.
In some quarters, Bryan's admission
that this country's record on contra
band matters In the past was not al.
ways free OF criticism" was regarded
rs surprising. although both prohibit
lsh and pro-German contingents ad-
mitted the truth OF his statement.
Americas past record on declaring
copper contraband when she herself
was q belligerent, Bryan shows, makes
this position so delicate that she can
not now insist on better treatment OF
this product than the allies are giving
Ii.
Bryan incidentally followed the un-
usual course of passing out some real
news. He showed. in defense of his
contentious:
That the United States had protest
ed against search of an American YES
sci for German and Austrian subjects.
That this nation had refused to per-
NIT Canada to ship arms through
Alaska.
That objection was made to British
aAd Japanese vessels lying on Amer
lean ports and that these protests
were needed.
) That loans have not been made to
belligerents since the administration
stated Its position, although II was ad'
mitted establishments OF credits for
supplies In this country Is sanctioned
After citing and refuting 10 separ-
ate cases Of alleged unfairness to Ger.
many the statement sums up the sit
uatlOn as IOuOWs.
IF any American citizens, partisans
orGermany and Austria-Hungary feel
that this administration Is acting In a
way injurious to the cause OF those
countries. this feeling results from
the fact that on the high seas the Ger
man and Austro- Hungarian naval pow
er is thus far inferior TO the British.
II Is the business OF belligerent
a. hn oh a
+, duty Of neutral, to prevent contra,
band from reaching an enemy. Those
In this country who sympathize with
Germany and Austria Hungary appear
TO assume that some obligation rests
on this government I'm the perform
ance OF It's neutral duty, to prevent all
trade in contraband and thus 10 equal
ize the difference due to the relative
naval strength of the belligerents. No
such obligation exists; II would be an
unneutral act. an act OF Partially on
the part OF this government. to adopt
such policy. II the executive had the
pow er to do so.
III Germany and Austria. Hungary
cannot import contraband from this
country, II il not, because of this
fact, the duty OF the United States
to close its markets to the allies. The
markets Of this country are open on
equal terms to all the world. to every
nation, belligerent or neutral"
II Is admitted that the United
States Is embarrassed In It's effort to
secure immunity OF American ship
ping from British interference because
Of some of the acts Of the United
States I'm the Civil var. In this con-
nection the statement says.
1.-THE United States has made earn
est representations to Great Britain
in regard to the seizure and detention
by the British authorities OF all Amer
ican Whips or cargoes bona fide destin-
ed to neutral ports, on the ground
that such seizures and detentions
were contrary to the existing rules Of
International law. II will be recalled,
however, that American courts have
established various rules bearing on
these matters.
1.-THE rulo Of continuous voyage
has been not only asserted by Amer
lean tribunals but extended by them.
They have exercised the right to de-
termine from the circumstances
whether the ostensible was the real
destination. They have held that the
shipment of articles OF contraband to
a neutral port TO order from which.
AS a matter OF fact. cargoes had been
transshipped to the enemy, Is cor
roborative evidence that the cargo Is
really destined to the enemy, instead
of to the neutral port Of delivery.
1T h thus seen that some OF the
doctrines which appear to bear harsh
ly upon neutrals at the present time
are analogous to OF outgrowths from
policies adopted by the United States
when It was belligerent.
1.-The government. therefore, can
pot consistently protest against the
application of rules which II has fol-
lowed In the past, unless they have
not been practiced as heretofore.
In regard to the charge that the
United States has refused to inter
fere with the shipment of dum-dnm.
bullets to Great Britain and her allies,
IL 10 stated that a thorough investiga-
.sion has shown that no such ammuni-
ton was manufactured or shipped for
military purpose.
As to general arms and munitions
eaipments, II Is pointed out that Ger
many herself, admitted the right of
Jeutral nations to permit export OF
arms and munitions.
Charges that British troops In
Carada were transported across Amer