The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-01-06

when Senator Jones read n newspaper
editorial urging American citizens TO
keep off belligerent ships and advis-
ing the President TO proceed slowly
in h present crisis, needing the in
terest OF $4,000. 900 Americans rather
than that OF a thousand reckless. in
considerate and unpatriotic citizens
who insist on travelling on belligerent
ships"
Senator Nelson. of Minnesota, Re
publican. aroused Senator O'Gorman
by asking whether Senator Jones re-
garded Consul McNeely unpatriotic
because he sailed tor his post on the
Persia. After the New York senator
had explained that McNeely had de
clined TO heed Consul General Skin
ner's advice TO sail on a Dutch ship,
Senator Works blazed the way to
general debate on the position of the
United States in the war by declaring
the American government was not
neutral.
Morally Responsible.
Asserting at the outset that the gov
eminent shared responsibility for
deaths OF Americans on the Lusitania.
the California Senator said The gov
eminent knew that the Lusitana was
loaded To the guards with ammunition
and explosives. Passengers we're per.
mitted. in spite Of this. to travel on
the vessel. The government. itself. in
full knowledge that the ship carried
munitions Of war. is morally response
BILE for the deaths OF our citizens"
When Senator Works declared the
United States actually was participat-
ing in the war by the sale Of NUM-
lions. Senator Reed. Democrat. inter
rupted 20 ask. does the Senator not
know that tho first loan placed in this
country after the war began was n
loan OF S25. 00O. 600 to Germany and that
the loan vas made without protest
from him or any other citizen? Does
the Senator know that Germany pro-
cured arms in this country as long as
1t was possible for her to get them"
That may all be- true Senator
Works replied. but that does not alter
the situation"
II b. be true continued Senator
Reed. that tho markets Of this coun-
try are free and open TO Germany AZ
well az to all other countries and that
this government does not distinguish
between any "belligerent nations. then
Row can the Seator say that this gov.
eminent has taken an unncutral posi-.
tion2"
IL is impossible 10 get arms 10 Ger.
many and ] say 70 o. morally wrong for
This government to- permit shipment
of arms TO any OF the @bclligorcnfs.
Senator Works insisted. lie added that
his principal objection was based on a
conviction that the United States was
aiding In prolonging the war and the
killing Of men and that he would not
only put an EMBARGO n In munitions but
also on shipment Of food and ciothinc
to the armies Of Europe.
Senator Lodge. in UNFOLDING the no
sition of tho United States. AZ 10 the
shipment ~ munitions. engaged I'm a
lengthy colloquy with Senators OCor.
NAN. Hitchcock and others.
Our markets are omen 10 an he
world to buy. said senator I0drs
We have fakon no action fo prevent
u hDllirsr.uf or any ono cIea from
buying iu markets and We ARC af
peace with aIl fho world s codifion
hnH boon created nV this war and Dol
iNe var alone which prevents ono or
''ofg h'IiE'ronfs from huyiur bon this
market u We undertake f0 reverse
a condition created ty flc war vc 20
once enter into tho war and endeavor
20 restore a condition existing before
tho war and That is an act Of unncu.
b troiity"
Evidently in time Of war such az
is now dIsturbing thc peace Of tho
world Senator O'gorman reioincd
almost any act 81 a neutral power
would Boz regarded By some as an act
OF Partially but in my Judgment this