Crittenden record-press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1909-191?, 1915-02-18


called d "capgra'.or,' but can me-.
IS far rs Oh. purchase or construction
OF the vessels is concerned, section 3
OF the lI pFoH3os
"Tha, the United States, through the
shipping board and with the approval
o. the President is authorized to pur-
chase or construct vessels suitable, in
the Judgment Of the shipping board,
for the purpose OF such corporation,
with a view 10 transferring them 10
such corporation"
II is here Enthusiastically pro-
yidcd that the United States
shall either purchase or con
struct suitable vessels for this cor
poration and here is where our Gov
eminent would take a bold chance OF
reversing its policy Of strict neutrality
TO an ENHANCEMENT and probable par.
ticpation in this world war by the pur
chase OF vessels owned by some one
Of the belgorent powers II vessels
are to be purchased, II must necessari-
ly be vessels OF this character-those
which are unable 10 participate In
commerce because interned at the out
break OF hOstlitics All other vessels
are too prohtaby engaged TO be
bought now at any reasonable price.
Is II possible that We are not 10 view
with alarm or feel any concern II the
nited States, through this shipping
board purchases these vessels with
the view Of subsequently turning them
over 10 this corporation, IN which It
must own 81 per cent OF the stock,
and boo fact. will own hundred per
cent? Is II an evidence OF timidi;y to
take this rational View The very dis
cuss.on Of this bill and the possibility
OF IT'S complications by learned
lawyers on either side OF this Cham
Der. and the opinion OF eminent
lawyers representing the Government,
holding IS they do. so many divergent
views on the right TO purchase vessels
Of bel .gereuts. and the presumption
prevailing when they were purchased
before the outbreak OF hosiilities and
after the outbreak OF hostilities. and
whether or not they were purchased
~ good faith. who'her the good faith
Of the vendor or the purchaser is to
prevail and whether controversy
arising between nations over such pur.
chase Is 10 be determined BY the rules
and laws OF the Captor country or
whether the declaration OF London.
which has not been ratified and ac-
ccpted. is to prevail
say II these gentlemen. so eminent
and learned In their profession. disa'
gree about these international cues.
lions. experience teaches us what se
may expect, because when lawyers
| disagree the courts must decide. II
viii then not be a court OF this coun'
Try. but OF the csptor country that will
have Jurisdiction; then |. for one, be
come timld and view with deep con
Germ the possibilities Of serious com
/ plications. II not war Why are ve ID
take all OF these chances and assume
all OF these risks. irsught with 80
much concern 10 the people OF this
country Because We are told that
there is a scarcity Of vessels engaged
In the ocean trade and the freight
rates are high and IL Is believed that
these conditions may be remedied In
this way ! do not subscribe 10 this
theory and do not believe for a mo-
ment that the suggested plan will
prove etheAcious. but granting that !,
will are We justified In taking such q
hsEardon, step for = mere commercial
advantage
Mr. President. every day brings
| forth new angles. a stronger and
clearer light with which 10 view this
monentous question. New situations
are revealed. The morning papers Of
this country are all quoting an sdi
torisl from the London Daily News Of
February 3, headed President VII
sons problem" Al hru there vas
usst hostility 10 the average British
mind against this shipping bill. hi,
editorial was written for the purpose
OF dissbusins that idea, for what rea
son lie here revealed. quote the last
paragraph OF the article:
I'VE do not here discuss the bear
ings OF this matter on our interests
but there Is one point We ought. not "a
overlook, and that 10 that the sub
marine has become In this war q serj
Gus peril 10 our food supplies. II will
dominate our position unless science
discovers an effective weapon OF de
tense. Should II threaten our shipping
with destruction and ourselves with
starvation II will not be an unim
portant fact that a great neutral coun
try possessing a mercantile marine oI
It's own can send It's ships into oui
ports unmolested and unairaid."
Democratic Senators, solemn,
warn you that Il is madness 10 push
this bill to embark our Government
upon this perilous and unoharted bust
ness sea, Does not Britain well know
that II one Of this country's boat'
should be sunk by floating mine-ir
an accidental way--we might say
then, We would not only be feeding
Britain. but We would find ourselves
lighting for her, which she vel
knows, We have seen how treatiei
are regarded by nations that are fight
ing for their existence. All iuterna