davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-25
GERMAN And IRISH
SOCIETIES PROTEST
Shipments of Munitions to Bel
ligercntS. They Say. Nio-
late Neutrality.
ASK ACTION BY CONGRESS-

wAsrtNGro>. Jan. 2i.--At a mass meet
ins held In this city to-nigh, under the
auspices OF German and Irish societies
resolutions we're adopted protesting
against the further shipments OF arms
AMI ammunition or raunh.ons OF war 40
any OF the belligerent nations in Europe.
The preamble OF the resolutions rcclted
that "If We wish TO BE- true to ourselves.
true TO the traditions OF our great coun-
try. honest IN the sight OF God and man.
then we must forbid and prohibit the
sale and export Of war munitions Of every
kind, the use Of which will tend to pro.
long and make more bloody the war"
This is the resolution adopted:
"Resolted, That VIC as citizens Of the
United states in mass meeting assembled
DO voice our strong protect against any
action or conduct upon the part OF our
Government or its officials which might
njure or offend any nation with which
We arc at peace and 80 violate strict and
impartial neutrality. which we are in
duty and honor bound to observe further.
We do most earnestly protest against and
object TO further sale ana export OF arms
and munitions OF war to the bclligeren,s
whereby one nation ~ party OF nations
may haze advantage Of other nations.
admitting such sale and export to he IN
compatible with that neutrality which
requires our country to abstain from
every act which makes better or worse
the condition OF the beligerents We
call on Congress and the President to
enact Immediately such laws as will en-
actly FIX the status OF contraband articles
in conformity with that high standard of
morality which We "a q nation ought to
hold"
Representative Nollncr OF Iowa as
serted that the neutrality which this coun-
try is maintaining to-day Is ono Of paper
only. and that this country Is aiding the
Niles against Germany and Austria Hun
gary He said that he would continue
to advocate the passage OF tho resolution
which prohibits expectations to all coun-
tries OF arms and ammunition and muni-
tions of war.
Alphonse g. koelbe OF New York said
that in this great war tho American
people have right to insist on absolute
not relative or apparent neutrality, and
tho American people. by reason OF past
experience, is justified IN fearing that
the present Administration, like so many
that have gone before IT, may be- neutral
iu speech and othcrvis" IN action"
Representative stafford Of Wisconsin
and John Dewey Of New York. editor Of
the Gazette iwCricOu. made speeches IN
sympathy with the purpose OF the meet
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-25
Some Salient Points Of
Secretary Bryan's Reply

The duty OF neutral to restrict
trade in munitions of war has never
been imposed by international law
or by municipal statute.
The United States has. so far as
possible, lent its influence toward
equal treatment for all belligercnts
in the matter of purchasing arms
and ammunition of private persons
in tho United States.
There Is q clearly defined differ
ence between war loan and the
purchase of arms and ammunition.
AS no German warshlp has sought
to obtain coal in the Canal Zone the
charge OF discrimination rests upon
a possibility which has failed to ma
terialize.
1t is the business Of a belllgerent
operating on tho high seas, not the
duty Of a neutral, to prevent con-
traband from reaching an enemy.
II would he an unneutral act. an
act OF partially on the part Of this
Government, to adopt such a policy
Ito prevent trade In contrabandl
to cqualize the difference
due TO the relative naval strength
of the belligcrents.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-25
BRITAIN IN ERROR IN
CONTRABAND STAND
Prof. WOolsey Says Copper and
Rubber to NeutralS Can't
BE Bothered.

Prof 4sor Theodore S. Wooisey. for
merry professor Of International law In
Yale University and widely known mere
and abroad as an authority on that sub
jeci. has written for this weeks issue "
Lc8N's Illustrated WCckiu Newspaper
an article on the rights Of ucutluls rs
applying To- Great Britains methods ~
searching Am rican ships which called
ou tue recent United State protest I
this article Prof Woolscy says:
"Our complaint relates to search on
the hlgJ seas; not 10 the fact Of search
but its method. only small pcrcentaE,
Of our cargoes during the present wa"
include real contrabaud FOR iorWauN'S
use, yet many have been held w from
i've to thirty or forty day, have been
taken ashore for examination and tho
risk and cost Of transport considerably
enhanced This violates tho right OF
the neutral submitting to search that
10 be Conducted with no greater detcn-
ton than Is necessary Tor thorjug
examination and that, unless suspicious
circumstances appear only the .uipa
papers should hc inspected
But We are told that some cotton bales
contained Couper meme all pfCkagrs ar"
sus picious. This Inference is unjust to
the innocent shilpcr were cppp-, contra
bavl " conpe" can he shown not t. ny
oon;rRparI tho argument breoLs doWr
EIllff ~. 'yl'li'. anu luD't| H'' NNO
cormudit'e. witch ar" iu usc both iu
peace aud ln war They nave not before
been uoll Coutrghaud Rubber IN the
Declaration 81 London was placed In the
let ot articles which could under No CIR
cumstauces bc "outrabHud. white copp"r
was not mentioned at all. Early in ;h'
war they were both placed on tho 'occa-
sionar list.
"To'p HDpqr,utly the British author-
ties realized that ny Tho D",i1r'..u o.
l.ouDun Jnr doctrine 81 tho continuous
or indirect voyage could not be applied 60
occasional contraDand. 10 meet this dii-
ficulty copper ana rubber We're placed
on the absolute list although the dec
laration says only that articles cXclu-
s.vely used FOR way may be added To- tho
list Of absolute cortrablnd by "A dociura-
itcn." which must be notified
"Thesc ct. h'chly technical questions
but vital to tie neutral shipper. Vet 1t i'
not a ques; DIV OF profits. !: Is a question
Of law and of rights"
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-25
The World.

secretary BryaHs reply 20 those who
nave criticised the Administrations policy
Of neutrality is categorical anf conclu-
H.vc. l. meets very pat,uly objections
honestly made, has due 20 mjs.N.urma-
ton. With oqua' cdudor aud more force
Il answers troublesome questionings pro
yuked by par,isansh.p
The time may come when either he or
the lresideng viii and 10 necessary to
speak with much greater emphasis io PEG
p" at home and abroad wAp are do.nl;
their best L. Involve us iu war
Every whore on earth except IN tho
nit'd states f1lc hOrtors and the pciils
~ this gigantic war have silcuccd par
tisans, demagoguCs and agitators Here
they are IN fun cry. Here. to fort.fy the
ship subsidy propA gauda aud to give re-
newed hope to the Mark Hanna section Of
the Republican party, 'hey accept the
sraNest situation that Vo have known
since the Civil var as drlightful uppoI-
tunlty TO emburraSs the Administration a.
home ANA to stimulate hatred against u.
beyond the seas"
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-25
4 Card

The large number Of letters
| am receiving in praise of
Alice Browns prize play,
Children of Earth" which |
am producing at the Booth
Theatre, has overtaxed my
ability to answer them in
person.
| make therefore this pub
lie acknowled gement and
thanks.
WINTHROP AMES
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-25

secretary Bryans letter 20 Senator
stone, oItllninp what the Government has
done. to preserve its rights and DISCHARGE
its obligations as II neutral is all the
more convincing because h avoids gcncr-
ali2ations and answers in detail The vaii-
Gus charges OF inactivity or unfairnes.,
which have been brought by more or less
excited pnrtisaus
There can he no question about the
Governments purpose to observe the
@ric,"st neutrality, hasing lis policy o.
the accepted principles of international
law and on the procedcuts which th.
United states has set IN the past when
1t was Itself q bellgercnt The trouble
with most Of the people who have made
complaints Is that they have not lcru
sufficiently familiar with tho laws and
prccedents on which the Government has
acted"
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-25
TURKS ARREST ITALIAN.
Spy Charge Against journalist May
Cause international Incident.
sp.cial Cabis Despatch 10 TIL

Special cable Despatch 10 TUE SUI.
CoSsrANTINoPLE. Via Rome. Jan "a
An Italian journalist named Eugenio
Guarino has been arrested on suspicion Of
espionage. His fate Is unknoWn.
An Italo-Turkish incident, II Is expected.
will result from this affair.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-25

territory" and that the adversarics of
Germany In the present war are, In the
opinion Of the Imperial Government. au-
thorzod TO draw on the United States
contraband OF war and especially arms
worth billions of marks
These principles, as the Ambassador
stated. have been accepted by the United
States Government in the statement ls-
sued by the Department OF State OF
October 10 last, entitled Neutrality and
Trade IN Contraband." Acting In CON
formity with the propositions there set
forth. the United States has itself taken
no part In contraband traffic and has so
far as possible. lent its influence toward
equal treatment for all beiligercnts IN
the matter Of purchasing arms and am
munitlon OF private persons In the United
states.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-25
40 Trentmest ana 6naI intcrnmpnt Of
German =. :. Gelrr aud the collier Lock
sun at Honolulu.

Tine Geer entered Honolulu on DC
'oJer - IN an upseaw worthy condition
The commanding officer reported the ne
cess!ty of extensive repairs which would
require an indefinite period for compile
ton, The "eSsel was allowed the gen
erous period or three weeks to November
TO make repairs and leave tho port or
failing TO do 50 10 he informed
longer period would have been con
trary to international practice, which doe :
not permit vcsHcl TO remain for long
time in a neutral port for tho purpose
OF repairing a generally run down cond-
ton due 10 long sea service. Soon after
the German cruiser arrived at Homo
lulu a japanese cruiser appeared Off the
port and the commander of tho Geler
chose TO intern the vessel rather than to
depart from the harhor
Shortly after the Geler entered the port
Of Honolulu the steamer I.ocksuu ar
rived II was found that this vessel
had delivered coal 10 the Geicr en- route
and had accompanied her toward Hawaii
As she had thus constituted herself n
tender o. collier to the GeieT she was
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-25
rG Failure Ia prevent transshlpment q!
British troops and war materials across
the territory OF the United StntrS

IA" Department has had no specific
case OF the pagsHgr of courOys nr trnnpt
across American territory brought 10 is
notice There have been rumprs TO this
effect but no actual facts have been
presented The transsh!pmcn, u re-
s"rvists OF all bellieercnts who lave re-
duesied the privilege has been permitted
on condition that they travel ms md.vld-
tails and not as organized. uniformed or
armed bodies. The German Embassv
has advised the Department that il would
got be likely 10 avail !t,clf OF the priyi-
lege, but Gcrmauy's ally. Austria Hun
gary, did so
>only one case raising the question Of
the transit - war material owned by
belllgerent across United States terri
tory has come 10 the Dcpa rtments no.
tlce This was y request on tho part %
the Canadian Government for permission
10 ship equipment ac-o.s Alaska 10 the
sea. The request was refused
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-25
tSJ Submission to British interference
with trade in petroleum. rubbrr, leather,
wool. &C.

Petrol and other petroleum products
have been proclaimed by Great Britain
as cgntrdhand OF war. IN View OF tn"
absolute necessity Of such products &C.
the use OF submarines. aerCplauee aud
motors the United States Government has
not yet reached the conclusion that they
are improperly included m "a 1T a. CON
trdband. Military operations to-day are
largely question Of m tive power tnlouSa
mechanical Device.
T. is therefore difficult Ia argue sIc-
cessfuly against the inclusion II petrol
cum among the articles Of oontraban9.
As to The detention OF carroes Of pc
troleum going to neutral countries, this
Government has. thus far successfully
obtained the release IN every case OF
detention or seizure which has been
brought to lts attention.
Great Britain ami France nave placed
rubber on the absolute cuutrabaud list
ana leather on the conditional cuntraband
lit. Rubber Is extensively used IN the
manufacture ara operation ~ motors
and Ike petrol Is regarded by some au-
thoritlcS as essential to motive power to-
day. Leather rs even more widely used
In cavalry and Infantry equipment. II -
understood that both rubber aud leather
together with wool have been emhargocd
by most Of the hclligercut countries. II
will he recalled that the United states
Nas in the past exercised the right Of
embargo upon exports Of any commodity
which might aid the cnemy's cause.
90 The United States has not interfercd
with the sale 10 Great Britain and her
alli,> OF arms, ammunition, horses, uni
forms and other munitions Of war. al.
though such sales prolonG the conflict.
There is no power in the Executive to
prevent tho sale Of ammunition TO the
l,tlliEt.tslIs The t1I.t Itl -
restrict trade ia munitions ~ war has
never been imposed by international law
or by municipal statute, II has never
been the p.hry Of this Government to
prevent the shipment of aims or aumu-
milton into beigereut territory except
IN the case of ue.ghbCring American re-
puhlicS, ana then only when civil strife
prevailed.
Even TO this extent the belI.gorcuts
in the present conflict, when they were
neut! ais. have never, 50 far as the records
disclose limited the sale OF munitions OF
war II tx only necessary to point to the
enormous quantities of arms and ammu-
milton furnished by manufacturers IN
Germany to the belllgerents in the Rus
sO-Jananese war and IN the recent Bal
kan wars to establish the general recog-
milton OF the propriety of the trade by a
neutral nation
It may be added that on December IS
last the German Ambassador by diroc-
ton of his Government. presented a copy
at a memorandum OF the Imperial Ger
man Government which among other
things set forth the attitude OF that Gov
eminent toward traffic IN Contruband OF
war 10y citizens Of neutral countries, The
Imperial Government stated that under
the general principles Of international
law no exception can be taken to neutral
States letting war material 20 to Ger
many's enemies from or through neutral
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-25
ua) Failure 10 protest against the modl-
hcatIons OF the Declaration Of London
by the British Government.

ny the brlIlsu government,
The German Foreign Office presented
TO the diplomats I'm Berlin memorandum
dated October ! a. calling attention TO vio-
lstlons Of and changes u the Declaration
Of London by the British Government and
inquiring as TO the attitude Of the United
States toward such action on the part OF
the Allies.
Tine substance Il the mem arandum was
forthwith telegraphed to the Department
on October 90, and was replied to shortly
thereafter 70 IN. erect that the United
States had withdrawn its suggest on. made
early IN the war. that for the sake OF
uniformity the Declaration % London
should b" adopted as a temporary code e
naval warfare during the present war.
owing 70 the unwilinguess Of the hellig
erents to accept the Dec ration without
changes and notifications. ana that
thenceforth tho United states would in
sist that the ghts of the United states
and its citizens IN the war should be GOV
erned by the existing rules of intorna-
tional law.
As this Government is not now inter-
ested In the adoption of the Declare lion
OF London by the be,ligrreuts, the modin-
cations by the beillgeren;s in that code "
naval warfare are OF no concern to IL
except as they adversely affect the rights
OF The United States and those Z its
citizens as defined by international Law.
In so FAR as those rights have been in
fringed the Department has made every
effort to Obtain redress Tor the losses
sustained.
,20I General unfrlcndly attitude Of the
G5y.TsTs5: toward Germany asa Aus
tria.
II any American citizens partisans OF
Germany and Aus,iia-ilungary. fee that
this Administration Is acting ~ way
INJURIOUS to the cause OF thOs countries
this tc"l.uP results from the fact that on
the II gh seas She German and Austro-
Hung riau naval wcr Is thus far in
icr!or To the British II is tine business
OF bell'geyent operating on the high
seas. not IA" duty Of neutral to prevent
cont. band from reaching an enemy.
Those I'm this country g no sympaihizc
with Germany and hungary ap-
pear to assume that some obligation rests
upon this Government in the performance
r its neutral duty, to prevent all trade
In cOntr1haud and thus 20 eQud.zo the
difference due 10 the relative naval strens In
"f the l"lliEercnts.
No su N obligation exists II would be
am unneutral act. an at Of partiality on
tho part of this Government. TO adopt
such a policy II the Executive had the
power to DO SO. n Germany and Austria
Hungary cannot import coutrshand from
ihis country IL is not because of that
fact the duty OF the United States to close
It's markets to the Allies The mari.,.s
OF this country are open upon equal terms
80 all the wo'ld. TO every nation. bellig-
lgent or neutral
Th" foregoing categorical replies to
specific O. mplaints Is suiiic cnt answer to
the charge OF unfriendllnes.s to Germany
and Austria Hungary
am, my dear Senator.
Very sincerely yours,
W. J. pRYAH.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-25
u4b Submission To arrest OF native born
Americans IN neutral vessels and In
British ports and their imprisonment Mt.

The general charge as to the arrest o.
American born citizens on board neutral
vessels and in British ports the Ignoring
OF their passports and their confinement
in jalls requires evidence to support IL.
That there have been cases OF injustice
of this sort Is uaqusstionab,y true. but
Americans in Germany have suffered In
this way US Americans have IN Great Brit
ain.
This Government has considered that
the ma Ju..iS of t.,vs- ,asts resulted ::cr:
uver2ealousness on the part OF subordinate
officials in both countries. Every case
which has been brought 10 the attention
Of the Department OF State has been
promptly Investigated, and. II the facts
warranted, a demand FOR release has been
made.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-25
I5I Indifference to confinement ~ nom
cpmbntauts in detention camps In Eng.
hand and France.

As to the detention OF non-coubatants
confined iH concentration camps all the
Jcllig rents with perhaps the exception OF
S"rv.a AID Russia have made similar
complaints aud those for whom this Gov
eminent is aching have asked .nv,stigu-
tions, which representatives. of this GOV
eminent have made impdrtiaily, Their re-
ports have shown that the treatment Of
prisoners rs generally as good as pos
sinlc under the conditions In all countries,
and that there Is no more reason - say
that they are m.sticutcd 90 one country
than IN another country or that THIS Cow
eminent has manifested an Indifference In
rhc matter.
A. this Departments efforts =, uvcS-
iaations seemed TO develop b.;tcru,ss be-
tween the countries. tho Department OF
November 20 sent c'rcu'pr INSTRUCTION
T. ~ representatives not tn undertake
further investigation OF concentration
camps.
But at tho special rfques, 81 the Ger.
man Government tnUt Mr.. JACKSON, for
mer American Minister n Bucharest.
now attached to the American Embassy
at Berlin make an Investigation OF the
prison camps In England. IN addition to
the Investigations already made the De
partment has consented 10 despatch Mr.
Jackson on this special mss.ou
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-25

ny proclamation Of November 10. 1915
on the coaling OF warships or their ten
ders or golfers IN the Canal Zone. These
regulations were framed through the col
alteration OF the state. Navy and War De-
partments and without the slightest ref
erence 10 favortlsm to the belligerents
Before these regulations were pro-
claimed war vessels could procure coal OF
the Panama railway I'm the zone ports. but
no bclligercnt vessels are known to have
done SO. Under the proclamation fuel
may he taken on by bellgersnt warships
only with the consent OF the canal authors
ties and IN such amounts as will enable
them to reach the nearest accessible neu-
trail port; and tho amount 80 taken on
shall be deducted from the amount pro
durable in United states ports within
three months thereafter.
Now II is charged the United States
has shown partiaiity because Great
Britain and not Germany happens to
have colonies IN the near vicinity where
British ships may coal. while Germany
has no such coalinR facilities. Thus T.
II minated the United States should
balance the inequalities Of geographical
position by refusal 10 allow any warships
~ belllgcrents to coal IN the canal until
tho war IL over As no German warship
has sought to obtain coal In the Canal
Zone the charge or discrimination rests
upon a possibility which during several
months OF warfare has failed to material
ize.