The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-06-16
AS citizen intends
TO work FOR PEACE
AS NOTE LEFT WASHINGTON
SECRETARY TELLS STORY
OF DISAGREEMENT

president does not feel at liberty to
employ. honor him for doing what
he believes to be right, and I am
sure that he desires, as do, to find
a peace solution Of the problem
which has been created by the action
of the submarines.
1.-TWO of the points on which we
differ, each conscientious in convic-
tions, are:
First, as to the suggestion of IN
yestigation by an international COM
mission: and,
Second, as the warming Ameri-
cans against travelling on belligerent
vessels or with cargoes of ammuni-
ton.
Il believe that this nation should
frankly state to Germany that we are
willing to apply in this case the prin-
ciple which we are bound by treaty
to apply to disputes between the
United States and the thirty coun-
tries with which we have made trea-
ties providing for investigation of all
disputes Of every character and ma,
ture. These treaties, negotiated un-
der this administration make war
practically impossible between this
country and these thirty govern
ments, representing nearly three
fourths of all the people Of the world.
Among the nations with which
we have these treaties are Great
Britain, France and Russia. No mat
ter what disputes may arise between
US and these treaty nations, we agree
that there shall be no declaration and
no commenc .ment of hostilities un-
til the matters in dispute have been
investigated by an international COM
mission and years time is allowed
for investigation and report.
This plan was offered to all the
nations without any exceptions what
ever, and Germany was one of the
nations that accepted the principle,
being the twelfth, j think, to accept.
No treaty was actually entered into
with Germany, but can not see that
that should stand in the way when
both nations endorsed the principle.
do not know whether Germany
would accept the offer, but our coun-
try should, in my judgment, make
the offer.
"Such an offer, if accepted, would
at once relieve the tension and Si-
lence all the jingoes who, are demand
ing war. Germany has always been
a friendly nation and great many
of our people are of German ances-
try. Why should we not deal with
Germany. according to this plan to
which the nation has pledged its sup
port?
"The second point of difference is
as to the course which should be pur-
sued in regard to Americans travel
ing on beIigerent ships or with car
goes of ammunition.
'Why should an American citizen
be permitted to involve his country
in war by travelling upon a belliger-
ent ship, when he knows that the ship
will pass through a danger zone?
The question is not whether an
American citizen has right, under
international law, to travel on bel
hgerent ship; the question is wheth-
er he ought not, out of consideration
for his country, if not for his own
safety, avoid danger when avoidance
IS possible.
1T is very one-srded citizenship
that compels a government to go to
war over a citizens rights and yet
relieve the citizen Of all obligations
to consider his nations welfare, l
10 not know just how far the presi-
dent can legally go in actually pre-
venting Americans from travelling
on belligerent ships, but believe the
government should go as far as it
can. and that in case of doubt it
should give the benefit of the doubt
to the government.
But even if the government could
not legally prevent citizens from
travelling on belligerent ships, it
could, and in my judgment should,
earnestly advise American citizens
not to risk themselves or the peace
of their country, and I have no doubt
that these warnings would be needed.
'Presiden+ Taft advised americans
to leave Mexico when insurrection
broke out there. and President VIII
son has repeated the advice. This
advice in my Judgment was eminent
ly wise and I think the same course
should be followed in regard to warn
ing Americans to keep off vessels SUBJ
jeCt to attack.
Il think, too, that American pas
senger ships should be prohibited
from carrying ammunition. The lives
Of passengers ought not to be endan-.
gered by cargoes Of ammunition
whether that danger comes from pos
sible explosions within or from pos
sible attacks from without. Psssen-
gers and ammunition should not
travel together. The attempt to pre-
vent American citizens from incur
ring these risks is entirely consistent
with the effort which our government
is making to prevent attacks from
THE use of one remedy does not
exclude the use of the other. The
most familiar illustration is to. be
found in the action taken by munich
pal authorities during a riot. It is
the duty of the mayor to suppress
the mob and to prevent violence, but
he does not hesitate to warn citizens
to keep off the streets during the
riots. He does not question their
right to use the streets, but for their
own protection and in the interest of
order. he warns them not to incur
the risks involved in going upon the
streets when men are shooting at
each other.
THE president does not feel JUS
tilted in taking the action above sug-
gested. that is, he does not feel JUS
.ifed, first, in suggesting the submis-
sion of the controversy to investlga-
Ion, or second, in warning the peo-
Die not to incur the extra hazards in
travelling on belligerent ships or on
ships carrying ammunition. And he
nay be right in the position he has
aiken, but as private citizen / am
rec to urge both of these PROPOSE
ions and to call public attention to
hese remedies in the hope Of Secur-
NJ such an expression of public sem
iuent as will support the president