Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-12-11

barge In documents produced be-
fore the Senate judiciary commit
tee'sGerman propaganda inquiry. He
said he had no disposition to criti-
else the placing of all German docu-
ments in the record but that 1t was
evident the Germans had used the
names of many public men reck-
lessly, the climax of absurdity be-
ing reached when they recorded
Professor Albert Bushnell Hart, of
Harvard. as willing to cooperate
with them.
In 1914, Senator Hitchcock said,
he proposed q munitions embargo
bill, as measure for strict Amer
lean neutrality. Later, he declared,
German propaganda and criminal
acts in this country and atrocities
abroad caused him to change his
attitude.
Like other Americans" said the
Senator, II have passed from one
phase of the situation to another
peaceful neutrality, armed neutral
ity. war. l supported in the days
of our neutrality the embargo idea
and as an American l declined to
associate myself with those who be-
came partisans of Germany"
Referring to the letter of a Ger
man agent dated July %, 1915. say
ing Senator hitchcock seemed
strong" for the embargo movement
and had said it would sweep the
United States" Mr.. Hitchcock point
ed out that he had introduced bill
for munition embargo, more than
eight months before and had made
speech in the Senate in the bills
behalf. On February II, 1915, the
measure was rejected 81 to 36, as
an amendment to the shipping bill
The part l took during 1914 and
1915, in favor of prohibiting the ex-
port of arms and munitions during
our neutrality has never been a sub
Ject of concealment or apology on
my part" said Senator Hitchcock.
1t became campaign issue in 1916
when l ran for reelection and the
fact that l was reelected by COM
Portable majority indicates that my
course and my motives were under
stood and approved by the people of
Nebraska.
MY stand was taken in 1914 as
an American for neutrality. The
| Germans in America took theirs by
forming the embargo conference in
| - - 90 peil llSdnS VI Y. 1ney
were supporting my bill, but l de-
| clined to go to their conferences
| conventions or meetings, though ]
was often invited to appear as a
speaker. l made my only speeches
here in the Senate or in defending
my course later before my constitu-
ents.
I'm those days the country was
under pledge of neutrality by vir-
tue of the Presidents proclamation
which was made when the war
broke out. We should no doubt
| have remained neutral at least
nominally and officially If Germany
had not by series of outrages made
our attitude first difficult and then
| impossible.
MY attitude naturally changed
with changing conditions. l stood
! first for strict peaceful and i'm
partial neutrality even to the eX-
/ tent of selling no arms and ammu-
milton and lending ne money to
either side.
Next when Germany began a
systematic attack on our commerce,
l was ready to fight to protect our
neutrality
! Il supported the Presidents re-
/ quest that we authorize him to as
sert and protect our neutrality by
arming our merchant ships, and |
had charge in the Senate of what
was known as the armed neutrality
resolution which died so dramati-
cally here in the senate at noon on
March 4, 1917.
"A month later when the issue
changed from armed neutrality to
war / had charge of the declara-
ton of war which was briefly de-
bated and passed by the Senate,
! An-il 1917