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

Indications are that one OF the hot
test fights of the session will develop
over the question whether Americans
SHAH 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 a fashion
that made It appear 1t would be con-
sidered seriously. But now it looks as
If Il would get serious consideration.
The recent debate in the Senate over
the Persia case. in which there was
criticism of American ciu1ens Tor 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 ala0
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-
nj nth Nf hn ,VTatk
about them. He 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.
4 Legal, Not Moral, Right.
Senator Gore says that under exist
ing laws, both national and interna-
tional, every American citizen has the
legal right to travel on any passengelt
vessel.
He has the legal right, not the moral
right, to run the risk of involving this
nation in war and entailing the sacri-
hce Of millions of lives and billions of
treasure" is the view of the Oklahoma,
Senator. SO long as this legal right
exhts, 1T must be defended by our Gov
ernn6nt at whatever cost. we cannot
suuer the rights of our citizens to be
INVADED with mpunity Only he-Gov-
ernnent OF the United States can with
draw or suspend this right without the
forteitue Sof our prestige and scif-re-
spect. believe the Government should
suspend this right No, single citizen
should be allowed to run the risk of
drenchinE this nation in blood merely in
order that he may travel upon a bel
hgerents rather than upon a neutral,
vessel. 80 -
Senator Gore says that q. common
sense view OF the matter would point
keeping off belligerent ships,
Principle Used In Mexico.
BY Senator Gore, as we'll as manv
other advocates Of this policy, it is
pointed out that this Government CT .
dered Americans. to leave their homes,
their business and their property in
Mexico. 1t would not go TO war TO de-
fend them there, and it is argued that
bS' the same process Of reasoning The
right to travel on belligerent ships.
should be suspended.
Senators Jones and Works. RenubIi
cans. already have declared for this
Senator Kern of Indiana. Democratic
leader OF the Senate. Is one of those
who takes this position. He finds stranR
public sentiment for it, and he SUBJ
scribes to the idea that the American
people widely look on such a policy as
common sense"
Not alone the Bryan r1en in Congress
but good many others are for keeping
Americans off belligerent ships on the
other hand, there are many members
who hold that to withdraw protection
from Americans on belligerent ships
would be humiliating confession OF in
ABILITY or unwillingness to protect them
in their lawful rights.