The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1917, 1915-02-02
NO PROTEST AGAINST
SHIP PURCHASE BILL
UNDERWOOD AND BRYAN
DENY RECEIVING NOTE
FROM GREAT BRITAIN
REPUBLICANS
MAKE CHARGE
Representative Man Afraid State
Department Has Not Been
Entirely Frank.
(Ey Associated Prcss.)

Qy Associated Prcss.)
WASHINGTON. Feb. 1-Insistent
statements today by Representative
Mann and other Republicans in the
housl that the state department has
received note from Great Britain re-
garding the pending chip purchase
bill brought forth denials from both
Majority Leader Underwood and Sec
retary Bryan. The note was alleged to
have been from Sir Edward Grey de-
claring the proposed purchase Of
German or Austrian ships an unneu-
trail act.
During the day Secretary Bryan
made formal statement:
NO nation has protested against
the passage OF the shipping bill and
1t Is not likely that any nation will or
would since the bill does not neces--
sarily raise any diplomatic questions.
1T Is not proper for the state de-
partment at this time to discuss the
manner In which the authority con-
ferred by the bill will, or should be
exercised. We assume that the au-
thority conferred upon the president
and those who will be associated with
him In the matter will be exercised
properly and with due regard to the
nations welfare"
When Representative Underwood
denied the existence OF note, Repre-
sentative Mann said he had no doubt
Of the majority leaders sincerity, but
was afraid the state department had
not been entirely frank with him. -,
Information has come to me-" said
Mr.. Mann, Gin a way which I think
makes 1t reliable that the state de-
partment not only has had communi-
cation On the subject. but that that de-
partment has had q letter on the SUBJ
5ect from an official Of the British
government" *: ~. 81
vnderwood repeated + HIS sdsnial
when Mr.. Mann suggested that the
representations might have been made
though mot in writing"
ut might have been q thousand
things replied the Democratic lead
er. "The bill pending in the senate
has not the line in 1t that compels the
purchase Of German ship or intern
ed ship of the Allies. 1t leaves 1t dis
cretionary with the board to be ap-
pointed" -
i Representative J-enroot, of 'yNisc6ni !
sin, suggested that Mr.. Underwood
make another inquiry OF the depart;
ment when Representative Cullop IN
formed the house of the formal denial
issued by MIR. Bryan, Representative
Garner, Of Texas, asked Mr.. Under
wood whether the British ambassador,
in discussing the subject, did so on
instruction from his government MFR.
Underwood said he did not think it
necessary to answer further ques-
tions. 9 .
In conference with newspaper
men late today Secretary Bryan was
asked numerous questions about the
alleged note. He was asked If he had
discussed the subjects involved in the
shipping bill with any representa-
tive Of any foreign government"
am not will g." replied the sec
retary, ito discuss with any foreign
government the manner in which the
power. If conferred. will be exercis-
ed" liz
The secretary was asked II any OF
the foreign governments had present
ed their views regarding the transfer
Of ships. He, said he did not care to
discuss questions (which we're not
connected with this particular propo-
sition" and intimatde published re-
ports had associated notes received
some time ago on various phases of
the ship registry question with an ap-
plication to the pending bill
While you were away the secre-
tary was told ''the statement was
made that the British ambassador had
said TO you that the British govern
ment would look upon the transfer of
any vessels now interned in Ameri-
can ports German and Austrian yes
sels--as IAN unneutral act"
go to the person who gave you
that statement and let him confirm
IT," suggested Mr.. Bryan.
At the British embassy. Sir Cecil
Spripg-Rice refused to see newspaper
fmen or dischss the published reports.