Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-01-21
RED HOT DEBATE ON
AMERICAN RIGHTS
Senators Smith and BOrah Suggest
an Embargo Against Great
Britain to Get Results.
WILLIAMS AND HITCHCOCK TILT

WASHINGTON. Jan. 20.-Great
Britains interference with American
trade was characterized as per
petual robbery" Germanys course
was characterized as murder" and
charges were made and denied that
British censors extracting American
trade secrets from intercepted mails
turn them over to English firms, to-
day in the most enlivened debate the
senate has had so far over the inter
national situation.
Senator Hoke Smiths denunciation Of
British interference with shipment Of cot
ton to Germany drew the appreciation Of
Senator Borah, republican, who declared
he was willing 60 take the responsibility
OF acts not Words and the disapproval
Of Senator williams, democrat, who de-
clared he was not willing TO see the south
contend for commerce ahead OF human
lives
The president can only write notes
said Senator Smith. Congress can do
more. don't mean TO so TO war. / don't
believe in Involving this nation in war
for few dollars. All we've got 10 do Is
TO show that we've got the nerve 20 in
sist on our rights. England knows that
we are right ana that II is wrong"
Borah sussests Embargo.
Senator Borah. republican. asked the
Georgia senator II he thought congress
would embargo munitions and other ne
cessities 20 Great Britain.
III the senator wilt help 1 would be
la f.1.. H.. - 81
effect in thirty days. IL meanwhile Eng
land has not yet decided to respect the
legal rights OF the United States" re-
sponded Senator Smith.
Il am perfectly willing" returned SEN
ator Borah. IN ordef TO protect our
rights upon the sea and upon land. to
assume the responsibility, NOT OF speech.
but of action"
senator Knure Nelson. republican. as
sailed tho German naval policy. declaring
ist Scandinavian vessels had been sunk
by Germany since the war began.
wfiriams Against War.
Senator williams. democrat, declared
the north starved the south with it's navy
and said the United States now was hav-
ing q demonstration OF what such tactics
could accomplish.
Il want 10 say" Senator williams con-
tinned. that II the senator from Georgia
could have his way and congress were 10
pass and the president sign the measures
10 advocates. Il necessarily would result
IN nonintercorrse with tho allies unless
the allies we're to stand still like a lot OF
whipped ours while warning for life. lib
erty and Independence. and obey the will
Of the United states congress with 10000
soldiers and The fourth navy IN the world
behind IL. fear ENGLAND would not
stand for bullying from people who
can't bully" ea
senator williams took issue with the
designation OF EnEland's Blockade as a
paper one.
Il don't want 10 see Dixie put into the
attitude OF caring Just as much about
property as the life OF the women ana
children sent TO their graves In the
ocean he continued. Until the uues.
tion as to the loss OF women and chill
dren is settled. ! do not intend 10 nag
the president o. this administration. and
would not nag q republican adminis-
txation about the loss OF property. My
people are not ready 10 put cotton ana
human life on the Same basis
senator Williams said he would lodge
a protest against the violation OF COM
mercial rights. ana later collect damages
70 much the same way lincoln did in the
Geneva awaras.
Hitchcock Asks About nHaiIs.
Senator Hitchcock. democrat asked
Senstor Williams what he would do 20
assure respect for United States mails.
declaring Great Britain had seized sixty
three bags Of first class American mail
a..
consented 70 render justice yet"
What the senator wants me 10 say IL
that / would declare war against Great
Britain and cause lot OF Irish. Eng
hsh. Welsh. Scotch. Canadians and Amer.
teams TO be killed because my mali mad
been interfered With. but shant say e."
replied Senator Williams.
Doabts Trade secret Charge.
Il resent every &C, OF beliigercnts that
violates our rights" continued senator
Williams. but don't care enough about
4 to shed human blood over II. As TO
British censoFs handing over our trade
letters 10 Britlah business men, have
doubts. IL strikes me that ENGLAND Is a
little too busy at war right now defend
ing It's life TO be engaged in catching
onto trade secrets. We have 5000 miles
OF undefended Canadian border. ! don't
want my boys TO so up there killing
Canadian boys and Canadian boys com.
ms down here killing our boys just be-
cause somebody stopped somebody's mail
on It's way 70 Norway"
Suppose the seizures went on indefi-
nltelyF' demanded Senator Hitchcock.
suppose the moon was made Of green
eheese.f returned Senator Williams.
But they are being made indefinitely"
persisted Mr.. Hitchcock.
they are not" replied Senator Will
hams' The Gods truth is-no. / will
not say II. Even the truth about some
ihings cannot be told in the senate"