The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-01-21
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tatn themselves in the Baltic for the
purpose OF blockading German ports.
They point out also that Great Britain
can scarcely AFFORD to detail large
quota Of battleships, submarines and
cruisers to special service In the Bal
tic Sea and thus reduce the protection
Of her home coasts.
1t 10 expected that II the allies should
close the approaches 70 the Baltic they
would couple It with some Friendly
special privileges to American and
other neutral vessels. The disposition
to challenge the right of establishing
q long distance blockade Of the Bal
tic IL protests are OF no avail, then.
n L. pointed out that Congress could
take the question under Amusement
OmciaAs are waiting on the debate
in parliament to learn just what the
allies propose. The American dipio-
mats here do not see that American
commerce would be at all relieved II
the expressions complained OF hereto
fore II Great Britain does not COM
plain to the proposition that she mas
no right 70 bar the free ships OF
the United States from the free ports
Of neutral countries.
Trading With Enemy Act"
The State Department received to-
day from London ana made public the
text. of he British trading with the
enemy - which was approved by
the King n the IS of December.
The act is construed as meaning
primarily that IL viii be criminal for
Engiishnnen to do any business by
which the Germans would benefit d.
rectiy or remotely. The act does not
specifically 80 declare. but some Of
fcials express the opinion that IT Is
more than a hint TO English traders
that they avoid American firms which
P,Sn tn
Senator Smith, in his speech. pro-
tested against the British order In
council, and the proposed actual
blockade" Of all German ports. the
Georgia senator quoted from inter-
national law to show that Great Brit
aims acts are Illegal. He declared
not only was the placing Of cotton
on the contrahand list unlawful. but
that 1t was unnecessary. lie read a
letter from Howard ". Bible, recently
returned from Germany. in which IL
was stated that for eight months the
Germans have been using cotton in
the manufacture OF explosives
After submitting what he said was
an unanswerahic array OF law and OF
fact, Senator Smith urged that some
definite steps be taken by Congress
10 compel Great Britain to stop her
interference with American Com
MERGE.
Germany RcprehenAble Conduct.
Senator Nelson. Republican. said he
agreed with the conclusions reached
BY Senator Smith. but he pointed out
that of the l3< merchant vessels be-
longing to Norway, Sweden. Holland
and Denmark sunk since the begin
ming of the war. 1os had been sunk
by German submarines. He pointed
out that Germany not only destroyed
the cAr9oes, hut the ships as well.
and in many Instances have killed
the sailors and crew" The English.
he said. did not destroy the vessels,
but carried them into port. searched
the cargo ana removed what was con-
srabAnd. and. In the main. let the
when the United States sAkes up
this matter OF protecting commerce."
continued Senator Nelson. ] want Il
20 consider also tho commerce OF these
neutral countries that are unable to
protect themselves"
Senator BorAh. Republican, OF
Idaho, interrupted Senator Smith to
All II he thought Congress should
mace an embargo on munitions and
other necessities against Great Brit
ain.
The Georgian replied that II he
eould have the aid OF the Senator
from Niaho and others he would sup
port such an embargo. effective within
thirty days. unless. meanwhie. Great
Britain agreed TO respect the rights
OF neutrals on the sea.
And I arm willing, in order to pro-
tect our rights both upon sea and
upon land, to assume the RESPONSE
biifty, not OF speech. but OF action"
replied Senator Borah with emphasis.
Doee Not Want War.
Senator Smith denied that he want
ed 70 20 20 war, The power or the
President. he said. was restricted to
writing notes, ana Congress alone
could do more than that.
There may come q time" said Mr..
Smith, when we will have to fight.
but / am not In favor Of involving
this nation in war for mere dollars.
That can be avoided. All we should
do 10 to display our national courage
and support our rights England
knows that she Is wrong and that we
are right, and that knowledge will
compel her to yield"
John Sharp Williams. OF Mississippi,
replied to Senator Smith, and spoke
for two hours. He declared that the
-nolicy Of starvation both Of the civil
population and of the army was not
Justified In war; but 1t had been done
by the Union forces in the Civil War.
THE war; he declared sis not a
ays.em OF caressfng. There was a
time VIXEN Sherman was regarded as
q barbar an for having burned At
janta, and ADMIRAL Semmes was look
cd upon as a. pirate, but what they
did was absolutely angelic In COM
parison with what has lately been
/ done In the European war;
White Sox Turn Back pitcher.
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