Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1917-03-19
why l Opposed the President.
by Wniiain j. Stone.

In view OF the indecent attacks to
which he has been subjected by the
munition interests, Senator Will
liam Joel Stone issued a remarkable
statement in the st. Louis Republic.
Tho statement, coming from the
Chairman Of the Committee on For
eisn Relations, deserves the same
respectful attention as message
from the President of the United
States We pringt the most im-
portant passages from Senator
stones manifesto
| took no part in any filibuster.
These are the facts: On the morning
Of the day the President addressed
the joint session CT Congress, Feb
ruary &c, l was called to the White
House for consultation with the
President and was then informed OF
the Presidents intention to address
the Congress that afternoon and to
recommend the passage of the
statute which has been the subject
of this controversy.
According to our invariable GUS
tom, the PresidenX and 1 discussed
tho subject with absolute franknoss.
| told him that, in my opinion, it
would be serious blunder to take
that step, and gave him my reasons,
bu. evidently without convincing
him. felt convinced that such a
law. If enacted and enforced, would
lead inevitably to war, and ! was op-
posed to plunging this country into
that horror of horrors without
greater proyocation than we had so
far experienced. In addition, ! was
Of the oppinion that such law
would be in direct conflict with the
plain letter OF the Constitution OF
the United States, which Senators,
as well as the President, are sworn
zealously to support und defend.
parted from the President
Weighted with ominous apprehension
but without any change in my per-
sonal sentiments for him. lie came,
as you know. to the Capitol chat aft
ernoon and delivered his address.
When tho Committee met the next
morning, the bill, then in print, was
taken up and considered. Various
amendments were offered. Some OF
these amendments. for the most part
of minor Importance were agreed to.
| offered an amendment providing in
substance and effect that no Ameri-
can merchant ship armed or con-
yoyed by the United States should
be permitted to transport munitions
OF war destined for delivery to the
armed forces Of a belligerent Govern
ment at war with another Govern
ment with which the United States
is at peace.
The United States was then, and
still Is, at peace with all the Powers
at war, even with Germany. Diplo-
matte relations have been severed
with Germany, bat the relations OF
the two Governments are those OF
peace, not of war Practically all
men, even the President, agree to
that The transportation Of war
supplies to the Entente Powers by or
TIN ough the aid Of any governmental
agency would be indisputably a most
offensive, unneutral act on our
part, and would, in law be of itself
an act OF war. TO transport such
supplies, directly or Indirectly,
through any public agency of the
Government would be offensive in
highest degree. not only to Germany,
but to all the other Central Powers
with whom our relations Of amity
have not been broken or disturbed.
This would be true, because muni-
tions so transported and delivered to
the Allies would be used in common
against tho armed forces Of all the
opposing Powers.
II was to guard against this situa-
tion that proposed my amendment.
did not at any time, by any OBJ
lection OF otherwise, obstruct the
legitimate consideration of the bill
OF stand in the way OF a vote upon
It, was, und am still. opposed to-
plunging this country into this
horrible war, If we can honorably
keep out of it. Both sides have
ruthlessly violated the rules Of mari
time warfare, as heretofore under
stood and practised. Unhappy, it is
a truth of history that in great wars
the belligerents treat international
law more as fiction than as an
authority according to their inter-