The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-02-07
ASSOCIATED Press)

Washington, Feb. 7.-Declaring that
the United States has not been neu-
tral, that Great Britain has persistent
ly violated the rights Of the sUnited
States on the seas, and that the United
States has been informed Of this vio-
lation, as If it had been an ally Of
Great Britain, and that Germany has
no reason to feel any friendship to-
ward the United States, Senator John
Works of California, Republican, today
voiced the first opposition to the pres.
ident's action toward Germany. 81
Did Not Question Motives.
Senator Works said he did not Ques.
tion the good faith of the president,
and gave him credit for conscientious
motives and patriotic purposes" but
protested against, this or any other
movement that tends toward war with
Germany for no greater cause than has
yet been given u.s." ,s .-.rr a
II insist said the senator, after re.
viewing the German negotiations and
the presidents determination to up
| hold the American rights on the seas
that neither a private citizen, nor the
4 president, nor congress. can be justi-
I fed in driving this nation into war and
by enaangering it's peace by any false
sense of courage or national prestige
or dignity" Reviewing the Lusitania
case at length and branding it as .
"cruel and unjust wrong to our people
! and to the nation" the senator said 1t
was we'll to consider how far I'VE, our
selves, by our course of action, cOntri.
buted to this loss of American lives"
| ~-.. Allowed it to Sail.
"Our government knew what was
threatened but we allowed the ship to
sail, carrying American citizens into
the very jaws of death. Germany. was
fighting for her life. So were England
and France. and the other nations en-
gagged in the war. What could have
been enacted of Germany under such
circumstances? What moral right had
we to tempt her to this fearful act by
this threat against the lives of our
people? .... ..u.....'
Aided Enemies. ,
"This government cannot shield It.
self from the fearful responsibility it
is bound to accept for this dreadful
tragedy. We have continued from that
time on to aid the enemies of Ger
many in the same way. We have not
been neutral as a nation; many OF our
people have not attempted to conceal
,, the fact of their unneutrality. II We
had been wholly neutral, as we profess
to be, we would never have been
brought to our present relations with
Germany.
THAT Germany has violated the
rights Of our people on the sea. under
international law, no one can deny. but
so has Great Britain and so'would any
other belligerent nation fighting for
existence, if necessary for her success.
So would we, apprehend, under the
circumstances. .-.s
"The German government has de-
clared danger zone about its enemies,
and given notice that any vessels
found in that zone with certain excep.
ton will be sunk. What should bo
our choice under such conditions?
say to keep our ships and our people
out of this danger zone until the war
is over or the embargo removed"
Drawing Up Statement.
A statement of the position Of the
government on the sailing of Ameri.
can vessels is being drawn up at the
state department 1t is understood to
be Presient Wilson's desire not to
have the government appear to go out
of its way to make an official public
announcement on the question.
It has been learned that there are
not enough American war vess'ss
available to convoy the whole An:ed'
can merchant marine plying through
the war zone.
Today's announcement is under.
stood to mean that the United States
is going ahead just as though the Ger
man blockade order had never heen
issued and that no preparations such
as conveying or arming will be adopt
ed. It rests with Germany to com.
nit the overt act that President VIII
son has said would lead to war.
In line with its policy of ding moth.
ing to force further strained relations
with Germany, it was further omcialy
admitted today that the administra.
ton is taking the greatest care to
see that no right of any foreign gov-
ernment or foreign property is vi0lat.
ed. f
No Ships Sc;Ter.
Secretary Baker made the following
statement: ~.
'sSolely for the purpose ~ protect
mig the several harb0fs, other sAipe
tCo>tinued from PaGe Fuar.)