Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-25

with the propositions there set forth,
tho United States has itself taken no
part In contraband traffic and has so
far as possible. lent It's influence
toward equal treatment for all belliger.
cnts In the matter of purcha sing arms
ana ammunition of private persons in
tho United States
CARTRIDGES NOT USED
IN MILITARY RIFLES
"to) The United States has not sup
pressed the sale OF dumdum bullets to
Great Britain
"On December last the German am
oassador addressed note to the de-
partment, stating that the British gov
eminent had ordered from the Win
chester Repeating Arms Company co.
900 riot guns, model 1897, and $1,000
600 'buckshot cartridges. for use In
such guns. The department replied
that 1t saw Il published statement Of
ness OF which the company has con-
hrmed to the department BY telegraph
IN this statement the company categori-
cally denies that 1t has received an
order for such guns and cartridges
from. or made any sales of such mate
RAJ 10. the British government. or to
any other government engaged in the
present war. The ambassador further
called attention to Information, the
accuracy OF which is not to be doubted
that 100000 cartridges, fitted with
mushroom bullets, had been delivered
since october or this year by the Union
Metallic Cartridge Company for the
armament of the English army. IN re-
ply. the department referred to the let
ter of December 10. 1914, Of the Rem
inSton ms-Cn!on Metallic Cartridge
Company. OF New York, to the ambas-
sador. called forth by certain news
paper reports OF statements alleged to
have been made hy l, ,ln
regard to the sales by that company Of
soft-noscd bullets. From this letter,
n copy OF which was sent to the depart
ment by the company, it appears that,
instead of 5000. 300 cartridges having
been sold. only a little over III 900 were
manufactured. and 100000 were sold.
The latter further asserts that these
cartridges were made to supply a de-
nand Tor better sporting cartridge
with soft-nosed bullet than had been
manufactured heretofore. and that
such cartridges cannot be used In the
military rifles OF any foreign powers.
The company adds that it's statements
can be substantiatcd. and that IL is
ready TO give the ambassador any evi.
denc" that he may require on these
points. The department further stated
mat IL was also in receipt from tho
company OF complete detailed list of
the persons TO whom these cartridges
were sold, and that from this list it
appeared that the cartridges we're sold
10 firms In lots Of twenty to 1000, and
one lot each OF 5000 1000, 5000. or
these. only $50 cartridges went to Brit
!sh North America, and 100 TO British
East Africa.
The department added that if the
ambassador could furnish evidence that
this or any other company is manufac-
| turing and selling for the use of the
contcndln: armies in Europe CARTRIDGES
whose use would contravene The
Hague conventions. the department
would be glad to be furnished with
this evidence, and that the President
would, in case any American company
Is shown to be engaged IN this traffic,
use his influence to prevent so far as
possible. sales OF such ammunition to
the powers engaged in the European
war, without regard to whether II in
the duty of this government upon legal
or conventional grounds to take such
a elton.
sador's note and the departments re-
ply have appeared in the press
The department has received no
other complaints OF alleged sales OF
dumdun: a"llets by American citizens
TO belltgcrent governments.
WARSHIPS WITHDRAWN
AFTER COMPLAINTS
Old British warships are permitted
TO lie of American ports and intercept
neutral vessels.
The compla int is unjustifled from the
fact that representations were made to
Inc British government that the pres
ence of war vessels in the vicinity Of
New York harbor was offensive to this
government. and a similar complaint
was made to the Japanese government
RS to one Of its cruisers in the vicinity
OF the port of Honolulu In both cases
the warships were withdrawn
1T VIII be recalled that in 1853 the
department took the position that cap
lures made by its vessels after hover
ing about neutral ports would not be
regarded as valid. In the Franco-Prus-
sian war, President Grant issued a pro-
clamation warning belligerent warships
against lowering In the vicinity Of
American ports for purposes OF obser-
walton or hostile acts The same policy
mas been maintained in the present
war, and in all OF the recent proclama-
.,ons or neutrality the President states
! that such practice by belligercnt war
ships is 'unfriendly and offensive
DIsREGARDED OCCASIONALLY
BY ALL BELLIGERENTs
"1e) Great Britain and her allies
are allowed without protest to disre-
gard American citizenship papers and
passports.
american citizenship papers have
hecn disregarded in comparatively
rev instances by Great Britain, but
inc same is true of all the belligerenIs
bearers of American passports have
becn arrested in all the countries at
war. L" every case of apparent illegal
arrest the United States government
has entered vigorous protests with re-
quest OF release. The department does
not know OF any cases, except one OF
TWO which are still under investigation.
In which naturalized Germans have
not been released upon representations
by this government. There have, how
ever. come to the departments notice,
authentic cases in which American
passports have been fraudulently OBJ
tanned and used by certain German sub
jects
The Department Of Justice has re-
Gently apprehended at least four per-
sons of German nationality, who, il Is
alleged. obtained American PASSPORTS
under pretense of being American citt-
Gems. and for the purpose of returning
TO Germany without molestation by
her enemies during the voyage. There
are indications that systematic plan