The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1916-03-04

KEEP OFF ARMED BELLIGERENT
MERCHANTMEN, SAY DEMO
CRATIC CONGRESSMEN
PRESIDENT REMAINS OBDURATE IN OPPO-
sITIoN - GERMANY DETERMINED ON
SINKING VESSELS CARRYING GUNS
BRYAN's INFLUENCE FELT IN
CONGRESS
The Democrats of the United States
Senate and House, in order to avoid
what they believe to be threatened war
with Germany, are determined, if pos
sible, upon passing bill forbidding
American citizens to travel aboard bel
ligerent armed merchant vessels. Pres
ident Wilson has declared he will not
give his sanction to any such program,
and the chances are that he will over
rule the wishes Of congress in the mat
ter.
Germany, in explanation of her avow-
ed intention to sink without warning
after February 20, armed merchantmen
belonging to the allies, has declared
that this newly proclaimed policy does
not nullify previous pledges given this
government in the Arabic and Lusita-
nia negotiations The German govern
ment contends that assurances previous
ly given, with respect to ships not being
attacked without warning, are applica-
BILE only to unarmed merchant ships, and
are not broad enough to cover allied
merchant vessels armed for Defense
and which may at any time use guns
extensively against German submarines.
Germany calls attention to the fact
that the British Ambassador, the first
month of the war, gave assurances that
guns carried for defensive purposes on
British merchantmen would never fire
unless such vessels were first fired up
on, and contends that these assurances
have been violated, not only by British
armed ships, but by secret instructions
issued by the British government. Evi-
dence is offered, enumerating vessels
that, during the course of the war, have
used their guns extensively against Ger
man submarines; also showing copies of
the alleged secret instructions to Brit
ish merchant vessels.
President Wilson, notwithstanding
the desires of congress and the repeat
ed warnings of Germany in the matter,
remains firm in his determination to in
sist on what he considers the rights of
Americans to travel on ships
armed for defense only. But
it is claimed by the State depart
ment that, while the administration
stands unalterably for this position, if
it could be proven, as Germany claims,
that secret instructions have been issued
to British merchant vessels to act often
sively, the fact would have an important
bearing upon the future attitude of this
government. Secretary Lansing is not
prepared at this time, however, to accept
as conclusive the allegations of Germany
in this respect.
A high official of the administration
is quoted as saying that William J. Bry-
an, after the sinking of the British
steamer Fdlaba, about year ago, with
the loss of the life of one American,
went to the president and pleaded with
him to warn Americans to keep off bel
ligerent vessels. President Wilson re-
fused to do this, whereupon Mr.. Bryan
insisted that such course would be con-
sistent with the administration policy
towards Mexico, inasmuch as the presi-
dent himself had warned Americans to
get out of Mexico and stay out.
Just prior to the sinking of the Latsi-
taqaia, Mr.. Bryan again called on the
president and pleaded with him to warn
Americans not to travel on boats owned
by any belligerent. When the Lusitan-
ia went down few days later, Mr.. Bry-
an is said to have felt that the president
could have saved the lives of many of