The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-06-10
BRYAN STATEMENT
tcOaa.a.a Fro. mr., r.s.D


matter what disputes may arise D.
? tween ~ and these treaty nations. We
agree mat there shall b. no declara-
ton % war and 10 commencement %
hosulities until the matters in dispute
have been investigated By an inter
rational commission AMI a years time
D. allowed FOR Investigation and re
port
This plan vas offered 10 all ma.
lions without any exception whatever
and Germany vas one OF the nations
that accepted the principle. being the
twelfth. ! think 10 accept No treaty
was actually entered into with Ger
many. bot cannot see that that
should stand in the way when both
nations endorse the principle. Don't
know whether Germany would accept
the orer. but our country should, IN
my Judgment. make the offer.
Would Relieve Tension.
such an offer. II accepted. would
at once relieve he tension and silence
all the jingOes who are demanding
war. Germany has always been a
friendly nation and a great many OF
our people are OF German ancestry
why should We not deal with Germany
according 10 this plan. TO which the
nation has pledged its support
The second point OF difference Is
as TO the course which should De-
pursued In regard to the Americans
travelling on belligerent ships or with
carsoes OF ammunition. Whey should
J an American citizen be permitted 10
involve mis- country In war By travel
ing on a belligerent ship when ne
knows that the ship will pass through
danger zone2 The question is NOT
whether an American citizen has
right. under International law, TO
travel on belliserent ship. The qeus-
tons Is whether he ought not. out or
consideration for his country. II not
his own safety, avoid danger when
avoidance is possible.
1t IL very one-sided citizen that
compels government to 20 TO war
over citizens rights and vet relieve
the citizen OF all obligation to con
slider his nations welfare. II do not
know just how far the government
ca legally 20 in actually preventing
Americans from travelling on belli-
gerent ships. but l believe the govern
ment should go as far as il can and
the benefit OF doubt given the govern
ment
III the government could not legally
prevent citizens from travelling on
belligerent ships. IL could. and in my
judgment IL should. earnestly advise
American citizens not to risk them
selves and the peace OF their country.
and | have no doubt these warnings
would be Needed.
| President Taft advised Americans
TO leave Mexico when insurrection
broke out there and the President has
repeated the advice. This advice I'm
my judgment was eminentIy wise. and
l think the same course should be fol
lowed in regard TO the warning of
/ Americans to keep Off vessels subject
TO attack
Should Not Carry Ammunition.
| i think American passenger ships
should be prohibited from carving
ammunition. The lives Of the passen-
gers ought not to be endangered by
cargoes OF ammunition. whether that
danger comes from possible explosion
from within OF from possible attack
from without Passengers and ammu-
1 milton should not travel together.
The attempt TO keep American Cit.
zens from mourning these risks is en-.
| tirely consistent with the efforts which
our government Is making to prevent
\ attacks from submarines. The use OF
ore remedy does not exclude the use
OF the other. The most familiar Illus
| tration Is to De found i'm the action
| taken by municipal authorities during
! a riot. II Is the duty of the MAYOR
I TO suppress the mob and prevent yio-
| lence. but he does not hesitate 10
warn citizens 10 keep off the streets
during the riot. lie does not question
their right to use the streets. but for
| their own protection and in the inter
est Of order. ne warns them not TO
incur the risks involved in going upon
! the streets when men are shooting a.
/ each other
Where President Differed.
The President does not feel justi-
ned In taking the action above sug-
-ested, that rs ne does not feel iusti-
ned hrst, IN suggesting the submits
sion OF the controversy 70 inyestigs-
/ ton. or. second. IN warning the people
not TO incur the extra hazard involved
IN travelling on belligcrent ships or
ships carrying ammunition: and he
may be right in the position he has
taken. but as a private citizen. am
Tree 10 urge both these propositions
and 10 call public attention to these
remedies IN the hope OF securing such
an expression Of public sentiment as
VIII support the President in employ.
ing these remedies II in the future ne
hnds 10 consistent with his sense sr
DUTY TO favor them"
The exSecre'ary in giving out his
statement. said he had touched on
but two points of difference between
himself and the President and re-
served the others for future discus
sion
~ the White House Secretary Tu.
multy stated po7itively that no com.
ment would be made on MI Bryans