The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-03-09

BACK OF
PRESIDENT
(By Associated Press.)

| lBy Associated Press)
Washington. March 9.-Senator
Frank B. Kellogg's first act in his new
capacity was to place himself square
| armed snip question. He did this in a
letter written to Rev. F. e. Meierbach-
tol and other residents of Faribault.
| which is as follows:
| My Dear Sir: / received your let
ter, on behalf of yourself, Rev. Mr..
Meyer, Rev. Mr.. lick and Rev. Mr..
koring. all of Faribault. asking that
urge and represent on the floor of
the senate disapproval of delegating
to the president power to declare war,
| and protesting against the protection
OF American citizens travelling on
American neutral ships carrying con-
| traband OF war, or travelling upon any
ship or a belligerent nation, and ask
ing that / favor an advisory referen-
| dunn before a declaration of war.
Favors Armed Neutrality.
There has been no proposal made.
and there will be none, to authorize
the president to declare war, but /
snail certainly vote for an armed neu-
trality bill which authorizes the presi-
dent to arm merchant ships to protect
American lives against unlawful at
tack by submarines, If such a bill
comes before the senate. regret that
the bill which was before the senate at
the session of congress just closed did
not pass.
Il will not vote to prevent Amer
lean citizens from travelling upon mer-
chant or passenger ships of belliger-
ent, neutral or American registry, or
to close the oceans to American COM
MERGE. For more than 100 years under
treaties, international law and the
universal custom of civilized nations,
citizens of neutral countries have had
the right to travel upon such ships,
and before the ships have been de-
stroyed notice has been required to
be given and the passengers taken off
and transferred to place of safety. I
snail never lend my influence to make
this great and enlightened democracy
the first nation to take the backward
step and close the pathways of the
ocean at the request of any or all bel
Hgerent nations.
To Do Constitutional Duty.
Il will not vote for referendum on
plebiscite the question of whether this
country will protect its citizens. The
constitution of the United States
places the power and responsibility OF
declaring war in congress. The people
Of Minnesota elected me one of their
senators to vote upon that question,
If the unfortunate necessity should
IL
1 propose to do it. l shall, of |
course, do anything I honorabIy can |
to prevent involving this country in /
war; and one of the greatest needs is /
to Immediately make preparation for |
the defense of the country and the /
protection of American citizens. That |
is the highest duty of government.
Frank B. Kellogg"
The communication which drew fire
from the new senator was a letter ad-
dressed to him by ministers at Fari-
bault. This letter was read to the con-
gregations of Faribault before it was |
sent to Mr.. Kellogg, so he feels justi-
fed in making his answer public.
Ministers Send Joint Letter. II
The letter received by Senator Kel- |
Iogg is as follows: Il
Faribault, Mimi, March 1, 1917.
Senator Kellogg. Washington, D. c.: d
Dear Sir: We, the undersigned, in |
behalf of our congregations, loyal
American citizens 900 strong, as your
earnestly urge that you s
present on the floor of the senate our
of delegating to the pres
dent the power to declare war, or that '
his nation go to war for the injury t
If or death of any American who per- I
sists in jeopardizing the peace of the 9
United States by travelling as passen- t
ger or seaman on American or neu- q
raj SHIPS carrying cOnLraDand or war
Or travelling on a ship of belligerent r
lations registry, and that you voice our
protest against any use of the United I
states army and navy for the protec- 6
ion of Americans who persist in the i
dangerous travel. We ask that you I
rote against any proposal to so go to | 4
var, or to use our army and navy, and il
hat in any event. unless invaded, you t
insist on advisory referendum before
of war. s
IF. E. Meierbachtol, pastor German C
VI. e church. s
william Meyer, pastor Evang. st. '
luke church. II
"A. r. lick, pastor Zion church. n
William Koring, pastor Evang. st. r
Tohn church. 1t
"P. S.-The above letter was read t
Defore the respective congregations
asst Sunday morning and unanimously Z
ndorsed. .. 4
IF. E. Meierbachtol." c