The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-02-28
Political Situation.

Political Sltua10n.
| Conditions arising out of the in Europe
may decide the outcome of the next Presidential
election in this country
This fact is appreciated in England, if it is not
fully understood in the United States. Within
the past week mass of information has been
sent from Washington to London relative to the
strength of the German-American vote in this
country. 1t is evident that the authorities in the
British capital anxious to learn, if possible,
how far the administration here is liable to be
influenced by political conditions in dealing with
the problems of the war. If the knowledge has
value in London it is certainly not without in
terest this side of the Atlantic.
What is to be the sentiment of the voter born
in Germany of German parentage toward the
administration in the next election? This is the
question which is being asked with anxiety
by the political leaders in Washington and upon
the answer to which depends in the opinion of the
English government, the attitude of this nation
toward Great Britain. There is no doubt that much
has arisen to ALLEVIATE these German-American
voters from the administration. Whether their
objections be well-founded or not, they criticise
the practical blockade of New York Harbor by
British men-of-war, the compulsion under which
American citizens made to show their pass
ports to British naval officers the high and
inc dCCOTQeQ american CtlZcnS WHO
happen to have German The most i'm
portant indictment against President Wilson and
his advisers, however, and the which has
caused the most resentment, is that arms and
munitions of war being manufactured in this
country and sold to the allies 1t is claimed that
this is not neutrality in its proper and Sec
rotary Bryan S, letter explaining that nobody
be blamed if Great Britain controls the has
only added fuel TO the fire.
Congress Asked to Act
AS illustrating the nonpartsan character of
this German-American feeling it may be stated
that Representative Vollmer, of Iowa, who is
Democrat. and Representative Bartholdt. of Mis-
souri,, who is a Republican, have both introduced
resolutions in the House authorizing the Presi-
dent, in his discretion, to prohibit the export OF
arms ammunition and munitions OF war of every
kind from the United States In the Senate Mr..
Hitchcock, of Nebraska who is Democrat, has
a bill which proposes that it shall be
unlawful and breach of neutrality to sell or
deliver arms munitions of to be used
against any country with which the United States
is at peace. A fine of not more than 100000 or
for not more than three years are
the penalties provided.
There is every reason to believe that some
measure of this character would pass the House
but that DOQy mas never Dccn gwen an oppor-
tunity to vote upon it. The fact that the Presi-
dent has declared over and over again that he
favors the shipment of arms to the belligerent
nations has been sufficient to prevent vote.
In the meantime, however, petitions signed by
nearly 100000 people and asking for the enact
ment of the proposed legislation, have been re-
ceivcd by the House and Senate. These petit
tons come from every part of the country and
it is remarkable that a large number have come
from Texas.
Congress has been fully advised OF the gravity
of the situation from the political pon. of view.
There is no question" said Representative Bar
tholdt in a speech to the House last week, that
at the present time the Germans OF this country
are stirred as they never stirred before. |
Their state of mind manifests itself in great mass
meetings and in hundreds of thousands OF petit
tions to Congress in favor of embargo on
arms" But Congress is to adjourn without action |
and the manufacture and sale of is to con- |
time indefinitely.