The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-28
No Doubt Left Vessels So Pur-
chased Will BE Treated
as Enemy Graft.
GOOD FAITH" RULE
HELD NOT SUFFICIENT
Britain, France and Russia
Make Issue of Motive
for Transfer.
NIGHT SESSION FORCED
FOR DEBATE ON BILL
Republicans Try to Escape II
in Nain-Gallingcr Speaks
Seven Hours.

WAsHiNG7oN, Jan. Ell, may -
stated with positivcrcss that e 20
United States purchases informed Ger.
man and Austrian ships under the pro-
visions OF the pending ship purchase IN
it Will become involved with the Gov
ernmcnts Of Great Britain France AID
Russia IN 4 controversy vastly moro
serious than any that has confronted
this nation in many years.
Although the Administration Is re-
fusing TO disclose just what it intends %
do II it succeeds in having the ship par
chase bill passed there Is no mystery At
all about what the allied Governments
IN the European war will do in case the
proposed Government owned corpora
ton buys and puts into trade with Ger
many and Austria vessels nov own 4
by their enemies Positive and author
tative statements that these vcssc.s
under such circumstances viii pe
treated as enemy vessels are now 90.
tainable in Washington and leave Los
the slightest doubt as to where tho all d
Governments stand OH the issue.
Not only is there no uncertainty
about The position OF the allied Govern
ments In principle but It Is also clear
That ali are IN the mood to treat TINS pos
sble emergency just as forcofully 20
they have treated other situations
the war which have been regarded "a
likely to result in aiding their enem =
or injuring themselves.
The Democrats succeeded this evening n
forcing night sessions In the Senate To rusn
through the ship purchase bill But the
Republican members led them a merry
chase before they were able TO do So
When the Democrats sought to bring
up the bin the minority hurried 10 the
cloak room and a point Of no quorum Has
raised. Then the members returned and
answered the roll call. Finally ruling
OF Vice Presiden, Sherman was invoked
and when the roll call made previous L, a
motion showed a quorum the motion wa,
declared carried.
serious Consideration Likely
Realization of the stand OF the ali
Governments on this issue has i'm the last
Few days begun to dawn moro fully upon
those In Washington interested In the pro.
rosed legislation. This realization has
come with startling force to many DEM
oerats who were proceeding under the im-
preston that the Administra ion had re-
ceNed assurances in advance that thcra
would be no objection to the plan of pur-
chasing bel.igerents' ships for the pro-
posed steamship line, or at least that such
assurances would be obtained before any
thing was done
The knowledge that not only have surh
assurances no, been obtained but thar ths
allied Governments have taken a stand
enphattcall" 10 ths contrary has come -
a shock 20 these Legislators and the ina.-
cations are now that serious considera-
tion will be given TO the issue involved
In the Administration plan.
For tie present the Administration 10
standing on It's statement that there WI
be 80 foreign complications This eN-
preston was used AZ the White House
yesterday in response to an inquiry re-
gdraiug the delicate questions which the
operation OF the ship purchase plan may
bring up, but In no responsible quarter
OF the Government can a positive state
nlent be obtained that the Pres dent's plan
does not contemplate the purchase of in
termed German vessels.
According to views OF the three allied
Governments. however any attempt ~
that character Is certain to lead TO COM
piications II is not possible to emphasis
too strongly the posltiveuess OF the views
Of the allied Governments on this question,
Assurances by Democrats.
Democratic senators have stated that
the Administration would uot embark on
a course In regard 10 the purchase %
belligcrcnts' ships without getting ade-
auate assurances that no difficulties would
ensue. u
Investigation Of those reassuring state,
ments by Democratic Senators fails %
disclose an. basis for the assumption that
tie possibility OF foreign complications
has been anticipated aud that action =
being taken by tho S'Gte Department 10
clear the situation.
Just where II IS intended 70 get the ships
for which II is proposed 20 spend 10000
900 Administration officials and Admin
lstration leaders thus far have refused 20
disclose Most OF those who have studied
tho subject agree, though, that the only
ships available for the purpose a., III ,H-
termed German and Austrian vessels
II is pointed out that the British Cow
eminent II not disposed to ooK with favor
on any of her merchant vessels being
alienated at this time, ana will maintain
her hold on them 10 the limit Of British
laws There are many neutral ships which
might be purchased, but IN view of the
fact that these ships are now earning from
two 10 five times as much in freight Ic-
celpts az in ordinary times II Is conceded
they will not he purchasable except at
IA bulous prices. Consequently the only
recourse seems 70 he the purchase Of the
informed German and Austrian shins