The Washington herald., 1916-01-06
WORKS FIRES THE MATCH
Demand for Embargo on Mu-
nitions Brings Out Sharp
Words from Senators.
LODGE DEFENDS SALE OF ARMS
Would Be Unneutral to Stop Ship
ments Now, Because 1t Would Fa-
yor Germany, He Says.

Disregarding the urgent appeal of the
President to refrain from public discus
sion of submarine warfare and the deaths
OF American citizens. pending pegotis-
tions between this country and Austria,
the Senate yesterday afternoon engaged
In its most sensational debate since the
outbreak Of the European war.
Senator Works, of California, charged
that the government by reason of its
, failure to keep American citizens of bel
Iigerent ships was morally guilty of MUIR
der. He made a strong appeal for an
embargo on the expectation of arms and
ammunition to the allies. Senator Lodge
and others argued that such action at the
present time would be unneutral and
would make the United States practically
the ally of Germany. Senator Hitchcock
advocated a strict embargo and declared
Sea countries have done. this country Is
unneutral and fsvoring the allies.
Reed Defends War Trade.
Senator Reed, of Missouri Democrat,
defended the sale of munitions and at
tributed much OF the prosperity of the
country today to the war trade. Thi.
statement caused Senator Works to re-
tort that the whole trouble was that
the American people thought more Of the
dollars they are making out of the war
than the human life being destroyed.
The sebats was significant in the sentf-
l..cnt developed IN favor Of action to pro-
hibit the expectation Of munitions and
10 make it unlawful for American citi-
zcns to travel on belllserent ships
Senator Stone, chairman of the For.
eign Relations Committee. made several
unsuccessful attempts to stop the discus
sion. He suggested later, however, that
the debate was not without value as II
afforded something in the way of an
index to the sentiment of the senate on
questions that would come up for con-
sideration later.
Would Refuse Passports.
Senator Core proposed two bills, one of
which proposes to deny passports to any
American citizen except upon his max
Ing affidavit that he will not travel on
a oelligerent vessel, and another meas
sure which forbids the vessels of a bel
liserent nation from carrying American
citizens to or from American ports and
which directs the Secretary Of State to
withhold protection from GGy American
who travels the high seas without a
passport, obtained in conformity with
the legislation proposed and one which
forbids Americans from travelling on YES
sells of the United States or of neutral
nations carrying contraband.
Senator Jones of Washington. a Re
publican. introduced a resolution along
the same line and read an editorial from
a newspaper which held ii to be un-
patriotic for an American citizen to in
Nite complications by taking passage on
belligerent vessel. MIR. Jones' remarks
started a sharp debate for Senator Mel
son. a Republican, inquired whether Sen
ator Jones meant to say that it was un-
patriotic for American Consul McNeely
TO travel to his post on the Persia.
Before Senator Jones could reply SEN
ator Owen, of Oklahoma a Democrat. in
terposed with a suggestion that .'if an
official Of the government had no other
way Of getting to his post, the United
States should send him on war shin .,
This brought Senator O'Gorman to his
feet
There was a neutral ship on which
Mr.. McNeely could have gone. He should
have taken the Dutch ship sailing in that
direction, recommended by his superiors
But our citizens continue to take these
needless chances" concluded Senator
o'Gormsn.
Right to Travel Anywhere.
Thereupon Senator Borah, Republican
another member of the Foreign Relations
Committee, observed:
The right Of neutrals to travel in
safety on merchantmen even of bel
hserent countries is unquestioned, and
as long as this government did not warn
against the practice, certainly IT cannot
be called unpatriotic"
Senator Owens returned to the debate
with a suggestion that .unpatriotic was
Undoubtedly too strong a word" with
which to characterize the action of an
American citizen who Travelled on a bel.
liserent merchantmen.
Senator Nelson. of Minnesota, remarked
that travel on neutral ship did not
insure safety, for ''as many neutral shIps
as belngerents have been blown up. Nc
ship Is safe One neutral ship was tor.
pedoed within sveden's three-mIle limit
Even the Ford peace ship might hay.
A>an torpedoed."