The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-15
BRYAN'S HAND SEEN. IN RECENT MOVE. .OF THE GERMANS Nebraskan Thought to H. SS ; Inspired Effort to Par So
 With America 9p CONGRESS WANTs .
 KNOW SITI 2 ION President Is Asked to Say What Is Being Done to Protect Ship
 ping and Name Damage
 to Date
By HUGH w. ROBERTS

Washington, February 14-(Special.) Congress, by formal resolution, has pro- pounded to the executive two pertinent inquiries:
 1. What has the government done to protect American business in it's right of free trade?
 2. To what extent has American com merce been damaged as a result of Ger many's attempt to blockade England?
 It is anticipated that as soon as pre- liminary issues are cleared away, the President will make answer. While the situation is possible of change every hour Congress requests could be easily rem dered.
 To protect American business, the gov ernment has complained to Germany against it's new submarine policy, and intimated that it would not disapprove should owners of American ships, on their own initiative, arm them for de- trade achieved by Germany's new tao tics, the fact is self-evident. It has been entirely eliminated.
 PRESSURE TO BEAR
 President Wilson, in his address to Congress following his action in severing diplomatic relations with Germany, de- .clared that there must be perfect free dom of the seas.' In the event of un- favorable developments, he promised to ask permission that he might employ every possible means to guarantee Amer jeans in their rights of trade and to an untrameled existence.
 Having taken that position, it is evi- dent that pressure brought to bear by firms which prior to the German block ade. grew exceedingly opulent in war trade, will have certain weight. It is regarded as no more possible that Amer ica will go out of business. than Amer ica, in lowing to German demands, will paint it's vessels in red and white to re- semble the poles of barber shops
 At a matter of fact, it is regarded as certain at the present time, that even should Germany withhold it's hand from the commission of the overt act,'' busi- llGSS VIII IOTCt SOu5IcSS lO UCNlSe SOlie means whereby it might continue to fol- low its accustomed paths.
 THE PEACE" MOVE
 Germany's recent offer to talk it over' with the United States was, ac- cording to best unofficial opinion in Washington, no more sincere than was Germany's offer of peace to the allies last December.
 Germany cannot starve England, it is pointed out, if American vessels are per- mitted to carry foodstuff to England. And if Germany does not permit Amer jena vessels to deliver American products at English ports, then Germany denies America it's right of free trade.
 Therefore, there was nothing of which this country could talk with Germany. and the United States made it's opinion to this effort unmistakable. The German move was made. it is thought probable, in order that Germany unmolested might have more time in which to apply it's submarine programme to postpone a further and more pronounced break with the United States.
 It is obvious therefore. that Germany s diplomatic maneuver achieved nothing for the relief of American business, or in any respect, made less probable the com
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