The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-07
BREITUNG EXPLAINS.
Denies Intention to Cause Trouble
In nnyIng DncIn.

Edward \. BreitunR. owner Of the
Dacll. disclaimed all intention OF caus-
ing international complications Ia pur-
chasing her or sending her on her pres
ent voyage yesterday afternoon al the
Republican club Mr.. Breituugs state
mcnt OF his position was part of a dis
cussiou of means for creating a mer-
chant marine that was scheduled as non
partisan. out which brought forth sew
eral passages al arms between Repub-
llcan and Democratic speakers The
Republican speakers were Congressman
william r. Humphrey OF Washington,
and former Congressman william lIar-
rs Douglas and James r McCleary
the Democrats. Congressman Rufus
Hardy Of Texas and Collector Of the
Port Dudley Field Malone
Il got into the Ddcia incident Inuo-
Gently said Nj Breitung, and / doubt
the wisdom OF the purchase We did Mt
buy her To make trouble there was no
conspiracy II is true my father was
German. bat he was half Russian and
my mother was French was born
and raised in Marquette. Mich We
tried to buy two freight ships before the
Dacla. and had the contract signed for
an English ship. The contract was
broken, so we thought maybe a German
firm wouldn't break its contract We
will try to buy more American SHIPS
Il do not favor a ship subsidy but
| would like to see the informed ships
used by the Government and turned
over to private firms after the war The
ship purchase bill IL all right If it's
meant only 10 be temporary"
Discussion Of tho ship purchase bill
caused co.lOuuv between Mr. No
Cleary and Dudley Field Malone, who
took reference to lobbying by some
body with offices TO dispose or to mean
President Wilson
III you refer to the President, il is
unworthy OF you" said Mr.. Malone
holly
Are you putting the hat on the
Presldont?' retorted Mr. McCleary.
Chairman Edward T.. Cragin called both
to order.
Congressman Humphrey contended
that the bins passage would involve us
In "A war for which we are unprepared.
He said positively that he knew a pro-
test against the bill by the British
Government was In possession OF Sec
Rotary OF state Bryan, and had been
since January 10, Notwithstanding gem
eTal denials.
Congressman Hardy denied this, and
told Of a statement Of the British posi-
ton regarding purchase of informed
ships by private enterprise made, he
said, by the British Ambassador to a
prominent exporter This position was
. that If the purchases We're made in
good faith II the ship changed its route
and the nationality Of It's officers and
kept the British Embassy notified OF
its movements IL need not fear seizure
He denied also Congressman Humphreys
contentious that there is now no emer-
gency requiring the bills passage.
This Mr. Humphrey supported by
quoting figures showing that the cotton
export is far above normal and not
enough merchandise is being shipped to
nh all the ship. ready tn take It,
References to the Democratic platform
brought forth another remark from Mr..
Malone, who said reading II might be
educating"
YES, to a Democrat" retorted Com
gresham Humphrey
MIR. McCleary advocated a ship sub
sidy, saying this country needs mer-
chant marine and should pay for IT,
/ "A mercantile marine Is Il means OF
defence" he said "It should be built
/ in the United States and manned by
American sailors"
Former Congressman Douglas said
the American Chamber of Commerce
/ plan for n merchant marine dlsapprDyed
/ Of the present bin, but favored Gov
/ eminent aid In the form of subsidy and
/ a Federal shipping board. combina-
. ton of allen shippers has been plumber
| ing American exporters through high
rates for twenty years. he said, and we
will never get q merchant marine until
/ business men. not politicians, take hold
The fact that only l43 ships have
sought American registry since the new
/ registry law was passed simply shows
. that private Industry is incapable OF
Selling the opportunity and the Gov
eminent should do H." said Dudley Field
Malone IAN the professional Germans
or Irish in the country cant drag
Woodrow Wilson into this war"