The Washington times., 1916-01-07
Question Whether Americans
Shall Travel on BelIigerent
Ships or Munitions Carriers.
SENATOR GORE TO URGE BILL
Strong Sentiment in Senate Citi-
zens Have Not Moral Right
10 Involve Nation.

Indications are that one OF the hot
test fights of the session will develop
over the question whether Americans
shall be allowed to- travel on pelliger-
ent ships or on ships that carry con-
traband Of war.
Until recently this question had not
been raised in Congress in fashion
that made 1t appear it would be con-
sidered seriously. But now 1t looks as
If 1t would get serious consideration.
The recent debate in the Senate over
the. Persia case. in which there was
criticism Of American cIuzens ror trav-
cling on belligerent vessels. served to
show there was strong sentiment for
keeping American citizens from travel
ing on belIigercnt ships or those carry
ing war materials.
Gore To Urge Bills.
Moreover, the bills presented on this.
subject by Senator Gore are going to
be urged by that Senator and will have
powerful backing.
The bills of Senator Gore are intended
to keep American citizens from travel
ing on. belligerent vessels and prevent
issue Of passports to them: and also
to prevent American citizens from trav-
cling on vessels, neutral or otherwise.
that carry war materials. These bills
were referred to the Committee or
Foreign Relations. and there is not
much doubt they will excite close at
tention there.
Senator Gore today said he intended
to press the bills. He may appear be-
fore the committee in behalf of them.
In any event. he will confer with Sena-
tor Stone and others of the committee
about them. Ite is impressed with the
idea that they ought to be passed. that
there is a surprising sentiment in Con.
Eress for this legislation, and that it is
by no means impossible to secure uch
legislation at this session.
Legal, Not Moral, Right.
6enator Gore says that under exist
ing laws both national and interna
tional. every American citizen has the
legal right to travel on any passenger
vessel.
He has the legal right, not the mora
right. to run the risk OF involving this
nation in war and entailing the sacri'
flee of millions of lives and billions OF
treasure is the view of the Oklahoma
Senator. so long as this legal right
cxfts. tt-must be defended by our Gov
ernment at whatever cost. We canno
suffer the rights of our citizens to b'
invaded with impunity. Only the Gov
ernment of the United States can with
draw or suspend this right without the
forfeiture %of our prestige and scifre
spect. ,bclieYe the Government shoult
suspend this right. No single citizci
should be allowed to run the risk o
drenching this nation in blood merely il
order that he may travel upon a bel
ligerent, rather than upon a neutral
vessel"
Senator Gore says that a common
sense view of the matter would pom
to the wisdom of American citizen
keeping off belligcrent ships.
Principle Used In Mexico.
BY Senator Gore, rs we'll as man
other advocates of This policy, it /
pointed out that thus Government C;
dered Americans to leave their homes
their business and their property il
Mexico. 1t would not go to war to de
fend them there. and it is argued Tia
hy the same process of .'eHSoning N
right to travel on hellserent ship
should be suspended.
Senators Jones and Works, Republi
cans. already have declared for thI
Senator Kern of Indiana. Democrati
leader of the Senate. is one Of thos
who takes this position. He finds strAAa
public sentiment for it, and he sub
scribes to the idea that tie America
people widely look on such "a policy a
common sense
Not alone the Bryan r1"n in Congress
hut a good many others arc for kecpin
Americans off belligerent slips ON Tn
other hand, there are mplN member
who hold that to withIrIw protccuo
from Americans on helliycrcnt ship
would be a humiliatinE confession OF in
ability or unwillingneSs to protect theT
in their lawful rights.