The Washington times., 1915-04-10
Washingtonians Back
Fight on Arms Sales
Sentiment Expressed Here Against Shipment of Mu
ntions to Europe as Result of Appeal Publish
ed by Foreign Editors.

Sentiment here in opposition to the
Wholesale manufacture and shipment
of arms and ammunition to the warning
nations of Europe is developing in 9TH
cial and unofficial circles today, fol-
lowing the publication of IAN Appeal to
the American People" by 4S2 publishers
OF foreign newspapers I'm this country.
Several of the comparatively rev
members of Congress remaining In
Washington expressed themselves today
as I'm sympathy with the movement TO
discourage the furnishing OF arms 10
belligercnts who may be able to pro-
long the present struggle because or
such aid. That there will be another
war continues until that time. to check
such sales was apparent.
Officials and others who talked OF the
appeal of the foreign newspaper pup
fishers admit that such shipments arc
now privileged under International law
and long-esta blished custom. From tho
humanitarian viewpoint. however. there
was unanimity OF opinion that the war
would be made less devastating were
America and American manufacturers
and workmen 70 decline TO lend their
war-makinS products to the combatants
of Europe.
Stand Inconsistent.
congressman JOnn w. lsiliEfS' VI
Kentucky, who took a four year s
course In International law before en-
tering Congress. said today in referring
to the earnest appeal of the editors OF
foreign publications!
1T has always seemed inconsistent to
me that although the United States pro-
Icsscs neutrality and peace We still fur
niSh arms in great quantities to the
fighting nations
realize tnat in international law
there Is nothing to prevent such ship
mcnts, but from the side of humanity
| would like to see the movement sue
coed. and thus POSSIBLY shorten the
present awful struggle.
Congressman James r.. Frear OF Wis
consin, who sprang into national prom
inence as Ioe of the pork barrel
river and harbor bin, referred with
sympathy to the fuli-page appeal ap,,
pearing in various newspapers and
signed by the publishers of foreign
publications in the United States.
Il am afraid that it is too late for
the movement to have direct beneficial
results" said MIR. f'rear, but the prin-
ciple of the appeal is excellent, and 1t
will doubtless increase public senti-
ment in opposition to our furnishing
wsr materials for the killing of tei-
lowhuman beings. If the present strug-
gle ends before this sentiment crystal
Lies to an extent making 1t effective.
perhaps il will do good hereafter. II
Is fearful to contemplate that tens of
thousands OF men-husbandS and
fathcrs-are being killed daily by Amer
lean bullets.
Shipment Justifiablc.
"l'robably such shipments are en-
tirely justifable under international
law. but | hope there will come time
when we will not feel that our manu-
factories are making war munitions
which destroy lives by the Wholesale. -
Congressman William u. Stephens Of
California said he did not care to dis
Cuss tho international law aspects of
tho present situation, but admitted that
there was much in the appeal to com
mend il from the viewpoint of the
brotherhood OF man.
Former Congressman W. &. Bell of
tho same State said:
1T Is true that under the present
customs existing among nations these
shipments are recognized. This mat
ter was thoroughly investigated by
Congressman Temple of Pennsylvania.
who is regarded a 5 an expert on in
ternational law, history and economics.
He found no means of stopping such
expectations under existing CrCum-
stances. However, the appeal made by
the newspaper publishers mentioned
meets with sympathy from me. !
against this wholesale supply OF war
munitions which tends to prolong the
awfu! struggle IN Europe"
Dr. Cora Smith King, a woman suf-
frage leader and one of tho organizers
Of the Woman's Peace Party said:
Would End War.
THE appeal has my earnest support
for believe that the withdrawal OF
shipments from this country is a prac-
tical way to bring the war to an early
end. The principle enunciated in the
appeal is in line with the platform OF
the Womans Peace Party"
Arthur D. Call. executive director OF
the American Peace Society. said:
Naturally. ! am opposed TO war al
WAYS as means Of settling disputes:
] am opposed to everything that makes
war possible; therefore ! am opposed
to all international traf'C in munitions
of war and particularly to neutrals
furnishing such nun tions to bel
llGercnts.
"As to this appeal, however, while
| am heartily in favor of the motive
shown on the face | do noi think it
possible to persuade the manufacturers
of the nation TO give up the making OF
war munitions as a matter of morality.
I cannot conceive how the appeal will
IN ,.a affart nd iS my hpllef that if