The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-10-27
Neutrality Stretched
Too Far, Minister Says.
House of Lords Criticises Ac-
ton on U-53 Operations.
GERMANY WANTS U. S. IN WAR
Good Excuse for Peace, Lord
BereSfOrd Believes.
Matter for United States Itself,
Says Foreign Minister.

London, Oct 27.-That Germany
has violated her pledge to the United
States in regard to submarine warfare
scores OF times was the assertion in
the house of lords of Viscount Grey,
minister of foreign affairs.
1t was drawn forth by renewed crit
icism of the American government in
regard to the recent torpedoing off the
American coast by the U-5S. Lord
Beresford. former commander of the
British home fleet and Spokesman for
the navy. and Lord Sydennam took
part in this criticism. Lord Beresford
again intimated that the United States
has stretched beyond the bounds of
neutrality her position in the U-53
case. If American warships had not
been employed in rescue work, Ger
many's pledges might have been pub
licly broken, Lord Sydenham declared.
The act of United States naval vessels
in practically aiding German subma-
rine operations he characterized as
stretching neutrality too far.
The discussion was opened by Lord
| Sydenham, author OF numerous works
| on naval affairs, who asked whether
detailed information of the sinkings
| off the American coast had been re-
ceived by the government and whether
the United States had yet made known
4 whether IL Tic ClISuIil-
stances in accordance with the pledge
given by Germany. He declared thai
as a matter of fact "even before the
| U-53 incident, that pledge was tori
to shreds."
| Try to Draw U. s. Into War.
Following a statement by Lord
Beresford of his belief that Germany
was trying to force the United State,
into war so she could ask for peace or
| the plea that it was impossible to figh
| the whole world, Viscount Grey made
a statement, which follows in part:
I'VE have no understanding will
the American government as to wha
| information they are going to get. AL
we can do is to obtain information fol
| ourselves from such sources as are
open to us. That is what is being
| done in America. I understand. Re
ports, I hope, will reach the admir-.
atty in due course. and I see no rea.
lie here.
Lord Sydenham quoted statement
made by Lord Crewe in August of tn
number of vessels sunk by German
submarines since the German govern
ment made pledge to the United
States, which apparently were not il
accordance with that pledge, ant
which included the firing of torpedoe
at ships without warning and INSULT
GENTLY providing for the safety of tn
| passengers when ships were sunk.
am sure the admiralty can multipl
instances which have occurred sine
the middle of August and are occur
ring every week of allied or neutra
merchants ships having torpedoe
fired at them without warnings or Il
some cases, loss of life resulting fron
their crews being placed in ope
| boats.
"I see no use at this moment of dis
| cussing the question. The pledge wa
made by Germany to the United states
1t was not given to US. I don't be1iev
that at present we can do any goo
by discussing what the policy of tn
United States is or ought to be. Tha
is a matter for the United State
itSelfr