The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-09-29

sion of world trade between England
and America after the war That how
ever, was before Great Britain initiated
the scheme to monopollze world trade
after the war, at which even some ad-
ministration leaders now take alarm.
Secretary Lansing Explains.
Secretary Of State Lansing explained
at one time that the United States could
not take forceful measures against
England because Of the Bryan peace
treaty requiring the submission OF all
disputes to years Investigation. He
also said he would not require England
to discontinue its aggresBlons upon the
United States because they did not in
volve the sacrifice of American lives.
After Germany promised tho presi-
dent conditionally 10 reform its sub
marine warfare, the question at once
arose whether the president would
proceed effectively against England.
Immediately Secretary Lansing ex-
planned that the efforts to procure
British respect for American rights
would be suspended indefinitely be-
cause Germany had made its promise
Of submarine reform contingent upon
the president compelling England TO
modify the blockade. The admins
tration, he contended, refused to put
itself in the position Of purchasing i'm
munlty for Americans. Hitherto how
ever. the president had maintained that
he was dealing Independently with the
British and German cases, resisting
all of Berlin's efforts TO connect them.
lansing now said Germany had con
nected them.
Loans Unneutral-at First.
Soon after the European war started
the president issued his appeal to the
people to be neutral even in thought,
and also expressed the opinion that
the fotation Of loans to belligerents
would be violation Of the spirit OF
neutrality. Less than a year later
however, he offered no opposition to
the flotation of the S500,0O0.00O loan
to the Allies.
In sharp contrast was the presidents
consistent denial of German conten-
tons that the American trade in mu-
nittons violated neutrality. He refused
to assent to an embargo sought by the
central powers because they were I'M
able to transport munitions from
America. rg
Dumbn's Recall. I'LL
There was every evidence that the
majority Of the American people COM
mended the action of the president in
causing the recall Of DR.. Dumba, the
Austrian ambassador, for promoting a
scheme to tie up muniuon factories
with strikes, but MIR. Wilson was in
possession Of the proof against Dumba
week before the newspaper exposure
Of the plot and did not act until he
found public opinion favorable.
The German attaches, Boy-Ed and
Won papen, were involved in the Dunn
ba affair, but the president took no
action against them until several
months later, when he caused their re-
call on alleged new evidence which
the state department refused to make
public.
American neutrality was violated by
German agents In the forgery OF pass
ports, the blowing up OF munltion
plants, the breaking OF parole by in.
termed German naval officers, the ensl.
neerlng OF a gigantic propaganda to
influence American public opinion and
Congress, the plots to DESTROY the Wei
land canal. and the provisioning cf
German cruisers from American ports.
Some OF the minor agents were in
dicted and few were convicted, but
the administration never proceeded
against the higher German officials
alleged even blythe department Of jus
tice to be responsible
British Recruitin. Here.
That the president however. should
have dismissed three Teutopic officials
while doing nothing to punish British
officials for vi ll"It0as OF American ncu-
trality caused MIN !c lie assaiIed for
Partially TO England. 1t was motor,
ious that the British government was
recruiting soldiers OH American soil IN
the manner that caused President
Pierce to dismiss British Minister
Champion during tho Crimeun war.
The department Of justice convicted
some Of the .'eccI.:ins agents, bur no
action was t1llnu against tho British
officials Responsible, although British
Ambassador. Spr.ns-Ricc openly de-
Tended the op atStlpus.
When the session Of Congress
opened last winner the president prom
ised drastic action against the authors
Of foreign plots on American soil. Tie
said that 1t would be necessary 10
amend the Antr.cdn neutrality laws,
more than centlry old, and an
nounced that the department If jus
tlce would frama such amendments and
that he would cause their passage by
Congress.
That was the last heard Of the mat
ter. When the presidential campaign
began to warm up Mr.. Wilson ap-
peared to lost interest, The amend
ments were prepared by the depart
mentr of justice, but were not intro-
duced In Congress until August S, too |
late to obtain consideration unless the
president had insisted, ,;,,t
Criticised by Harvey.
Concerning this failure Of the presi-
dent to act against the disloyaIists
whom he denounced Col. George Har-