TaÌˆgliches Cincinnatier volksblatt. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1885-1919, 1915-07-12


we censure the weak submission o
our public officials to foreign dicta
tion concerning our commerce; w
denounce their failure to protect ou
rights upon the sea. and we condemn
their continued refusal to act to com
pei respect for our FLAG; these fail
ures of duty having been evidence,
in the following emergencies, viz:
| l. When, at the beginning Of tn,
present European war, shiploads o
grain, consigned by Amercans Il
neutrals. were seized by the British
Government and taken TO British
ports. in violation Of the laws ol
commerce. yet without protest oil
notice by our officials.
2. When the British Government,
announced that Americans might buy
wool abroad II British agents in
America were assured that goods
made from this wool would not
later be sold. or 90 TO coun-
tries with which the British
Government has forbidden Amer
ican manufacturers to trade; and
further providing that American
ships shall not carry this wool to
American ports. in violation OF the
law OF commerce. yet. without notice
or protest by our officials.
3. When the British Admiralty
directed British sailing captains TO
use our FLAG TO escape enemy craft,
and such use was made OF our FLAG
without specific protest or notice by
our officials. except to refer TO such
damnable filching OF our NATIONAL.
EMBLEM as war trick. altho
this failure TO demand that bellig-
erents keep their hands of our
FLAG, greatly increased the danger
10 AMERICAN LIVES and shipping
lowered tho dignity OF the American
People,
T. When the German Admiralty
informed our officials that II intend
ed to destroy enemy vessels and ves-
sells carrying contraband approach
ing the British Isles. and. inasmuch
as the British Admiralty had direct
ed the use of the AMERICAN FLAG,
they could not undertake to discrim-
mate between enemy and American
vessels and expressed the hope that
our government would enforce re-
spect for our FLAG and demand that
the British Government cease Its use.
and our oficials then failed 10 be
moved TO action.
8. When many Of our ships sail
Ing TO neutral ports with neutral
cargoes have been seized. in violation
OF international law; our FLAG
hauled down. the crews imprisoned
and our officials nave failed 10 act.
g. When the British Government
declared. In violation OF internatio-
nai law, that certain goods were con-
traband and then seized American
ship and cargoes and our officials
failed TO act.
7. When the British Government
declared. In violation OF internatio-
nal law. that corsocs Of food stuffs
10 civilian population Of
enemy countries would be sold at
auction. before 1udication by prize
court. on the wharves OF Great Brit
ain. thereby entailing enormous loss
10 American merchants. and our
officials failed TO act or to take notice.
s. When the British Government
In. violation OF international law
ordered Americans 10 cease carrying
food stuffs TO the civilian population |
of enemy" countries and our ofiici- |
ais failed TO protest.
o. When the British Government.
Ia violation OF ALL LAW denied the |
use OF Gods sea to Americans and |
ordered the British Navy 10 capture
md confscate American merchant
Tessels sailing TO Norway. Denmark.
sweden. Holland and Italy. when. in
he opinion Of naval officers there 10
isnger that the goods may reach |
Germany or Austria from the neutral |
and our officials failed to
lct.
We denounce the failure TO act in |
hese emergencies ms cowardly, weak
md un-American. humilating and in I
ulting TO the American People and |
ending TO place US beneath the con-
empt OF all nations whose govern
nents have demanded, and are red
flooded enough 10 enforce. RE-
iPECT FOR NEUTRAL FLAGS. |
We commend the patriotism OF !
hose congressman who supported the /,
Ill making It an offense with severe
'onalties whenever foreign ship
aptain flches our FLAG and We call
pom our comrades Of Illinois to do
IL in their power to create senti-
aent for an enforcement OF the laws
protecting our rights and for RE-
PEcT FOR OUR FLAG.
BY the Committee:
Memorial Hall Du |