The Washington times., 1916-09-11
STORY OF THREAT
BY GREAT BRITAIN
Ill" i" SAYSlANS|NG
Secretary Denies England Used
Threats to Defeat PheIan
Amendment.

Secretary Of State Lansing today
characterized as q deliberate lie' an
article published, this morning, which
stated that the British government had
made threats Of retaliation to defeat
the passage of the Phelan amendment
to the revenue bill.
The article complained Of said the
British government. through the Amer
lean charge at London, had threate ned
to cancel contracts in the United States
and to reduce to the minimum the pur-
chase Of war supplies In this country II
the Phelan amendment. denying the
mails to British natiopsls. was
adopted.
Secretary Lansing said. moreover.
that he never discussed the Phe,an
amendment with Senator Phelan or
with any other member OF Congress
while the revenue bill was pending.
Assume Formidable Aspect.
The retaliatory provisions of the
revenue bill are beginning to assume
a more formidable look In the light
Of new developments respecting Brit
tsh activity against American mails
and American trade and industrial
interests.
This became apparent today from
statements Of TO n leading m members NIB. r.
chairman OF the Military Committee,
and Senator Simmons, chairman OF
the Finance Committee.
= Senator Chamberlain. who was
author Of the pr99vislon in the rev,
nsh. which provision was knocked
out. resulting In the movement for
investigation OF a Canadian govern
msnt lobby. said today the revela-
tions as TO fishery matters. and as to
sharper point to the retaliatory pro-
visions in the revenue law.
Cites Lloyd-George Statement.
He referred to the fact that Lloyd
George had recently made a state.
ment In Parliament admitting the cen
sorship OF the mails was being used
for any public and national purpose .
Senator Chamberlain interprets this tc
mean that the British censorship ha,
been used for her own commercial ad.
vantage and to build up her own trade
and industry at the expense OF com.
mercial rivals.
This statement OF Hoyd.Georse.' '
said Senator Chamberlain, amounts
10 an admission of what I charged or
the floor. That is the way they are
doing. In the censorship OF the mails
and otherwise.
II have no question that the disclos.
ods which the Forthcoming investigation
will show were used In the fisherie,
matter will impel our Government tc
make effective use OF the retaliatory
provisions In the revenue bill.
Il do not see how We can do other
wise II We want to preserve our self
respect. Right now. We seem to have
less spirit than little Sweden.
For us to enforce the retaliatory pro
Visions and insist on our rights woult
not mean war. It would simply NEAR
We would be accorded fair Treatment
once II was understood We would no
tolerate anything else"
No Blame on State Department.
Senator Chamberlain finds no faul
with the State Department. He un
derstands II did it's duty But he Il
advised representatives OF CANADIAN
fisheries interests in Chicago busie,
themselves by sending telegrams I,
members of Congress, which had al
effect In getting his provisions ex
cluding halibut and salmon from tn
north Pacific regions eliminated. II,
wants light on this phase OF tn
lobby.
Senator Simmons. chairman Of tn
Finance Committee, in an interview
said In effect the retaliatory provi
sions Of the revenue law have teeth.
THE retaliatory provisions Of tn
revenue law" said he. are notice &
the world that no foreign nations ar
hereafter to be permitted to interfer
with out international rights wit
OF the United States Is to be arme,
with such weapons as may be neces
sary, to protect our rights In that re
gard"