Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-01-10
CONSIDERABLE sENTIMENT IN
coNoREss IN FAVOR OF RE-
ATTAINING AMERICANS.
SENATOR GORE HAS BILL
MAKING TRAVEL ILLEGAL
Under Law Americans Would De Re-
fused Passports. to Warning Nations
Z and Would Not Be Entitled to Claims
For Damages in Case Of Injury or
Death.
Especial Correspondence

~ 10
Washington, Jan. 10.-Indications are
that one Of the hottest fights OF the
session will develop over the question
whether Americans shall be allowed to
travel on belligerent ships or on ships
that carry contraband Of war. Until
recently this question had not been
raised in congress in a fashion that
made it appear it would be seriously
considered. But lately it looks as It
1t would get serious consideration.
The recent debate in the senate over
the Persia case, in which there was
criticism Of American citizens for
travelling on belligerent vessels, served
to show there was strong sentiment
for keeping American citizens from
travelling on belligerent ships or those
carrying war materials.
Moreover, the bills presented on this
subject by Senator Gore are going to
be urged by that senator and will have
powerful backing.
Would Make Travel Unlawful.
The bills Of Senator Gore are In
tended to keep American citizens from
travelling on belligerent vessels and
prevent issue Of passports to them
and also to prevent American citizens
from travelling on vessels, neutral or
otherwise, that carry war materials.
These bills were referred to the COM
mittee on foreign relations and there
is not much doubt they will excite
close attention there
Senator Gore said today 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. He is impressed with the
idea that they ought to be passed, that
there is surprising sentiment In
congress for this legislation and that
lit is by no means impossible to secure
such legislation at this session.
Now Has Legal 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 passenger
vessel. HE has the legal right not
the moral right, to run the risk Of in
volying this nation In war and entail
ling the sacrifice Of millions of lives
and billions Of treasure" Is the view
|'of the Oklahoma Senator. so long
las this legal right exists, it must be
defended, It must be defended by our
government at whatever cost. We
can not suffer the rights Of our citizens
to be invaded or violated with i'm
punity. Only the government OF the
United States can withdraw or sus-
pend this right without the forfeiture
OF our prestige and self-respect. be-
Heve the government should suspend
this right. No single citizen should
be allowed to run the risk Of drenching
this nation in blood merely In order
that he may travel upon a belligerent
rather than upon a neutral vessel"
Senator Gore says that common
sense view Of the matter would point
to the wisdom OF American citizens
keeping of belligerent ships. BY
Senator Gore, as we'll as many other
advocates Of this policy. it is pointed
out that this government ordered
Americans to leave their homes, their
business and their property in Mexico.
It would not 90 to war to defend them
there and it Is argued that the same
process Of reasoning the right to travel
on belligerent ships should be sus-
pended.
Others Support Idea.
Senators Jones and Works, republic
cans, have already declared for this
view.
Senator Kern Of Indiana, democratic
leader Of the senate, is one OF those
who takes this position. He finds
strong public sentiment for it and he
subscribes to the idea that the Ameri-
can people widely look on such policy
as common sense"
Not along the Bryan men in con-
gress but q good many others are for
keeping, Americans OF belligerent
ships. On the other hand, there are
many members who hold that to with
draw protection from Americans on
belligerent ships would be humiliat-
ing confession Of inability or unwil-
llingness to protect them in their law
ful rights sAf N