New-York tribune., 1919-10-19
Senator Poindexter Charges
Nebraskan Catered To and
Defended Cermany~When
He Asked Arms Embargo
prands Him ''Turncoat''
administration Leader in
Treaty Fight Still Insists
US. Could Have Kept Out
Nr,c York Tribune
Wneh 'rn'or pu-er"


WASHINGTON. Oct. Ex-senator
u;,.beock, of Nebraska. Administration
,,.dsr in the treaty fight, was bitterly
...aeked for his record during the war
.v Senator Poindexter. Republican, Of
Washington, in the Senate to-day.
Senator Poindexter, who is one of
~. eroup of "irreconcilable" opponents
,ithe treaty, referred to Senator Hitch
.oek,, advocacv of an embargo on arms
,,or to the entrance of the United
States in the war, declaring that "if his
Efforts had been successful, then Ger
msny would now be debating the terms
!; peace to the world
I'VE have been told repeatedly that
se must consent to creating this
tribunal giving Britain six times our
representation because of our great
obIigation to Europe and the services
AZ Britain IN the war" Senator Poin-
dexter said. "The other day Mr. Hitch
cock said he had not changed his posi-
lion, and denied that he introduced an
embargo resolution after the sinking
Of the Lusltania. When later it was
shown from the record that he did in
.roduce that embargo resolution seven
months after the Lusitania's sinking,
be declared he had no apology for his
attitude toward the war and toward
armed neutrality"
Defends His Actions
"But conducted the armed neutral
Icy bill in the Senate" interrupted
Senator Hitchcock.
"Yes. that was a strange perform
ance, but. Of course. it was an Admin
istratlon measure in committee,' Sena-
tor Poindexter responded.
"Does the Senator charge that | did
rot support the measure to the full ex-
tent Of my ability?" demanded Senator
Hitchcock.
a certainly do" replied Mr.. Poin-
dexter THE Senator urged considera-
tion for Germany and tho German gov
eminent, and st that very time had a
bill and resolution pending here
which would have insured victory for
Germany. He was urging that we arm
American ships and at the same time
was expressing sympathy for Germany.
A0n February q. 1917, the armed
neutrality bill was introduced in the
House and it was reported two days
later. 1t provided that the President be
authorized to defend our merchant
ships on the high seas against unlaw-
ful attacks. 1t, Of course, recognized
that our ships had heretofore been
subject to unlawful attack, just as did
the declaration OF war adopted on April
g. 1911 The President, in his address
70 Congress on April 2, 1917, said he
had already Informed Congress of Ger
nany's policy of unrestricted submarine
warfare.
Says He Catered to Germans
II call attention to these things in the
record to show the condition that had
Ing that time, while these attacks were
Senator from Nebraska, Mr.. Hitchcock
subsequent TO the sinking of the Lusi-
tanla, whic' was the worst Of these out
nges, catering to the German vote. was
declaring his sympathy for the German
people and Germany.
son December Z. 1914. he introduced
Senate bill 66Sa, forbidding the sale and
delivery of arms and ammunition 10 anv
natlon with which America was at peace.
The same day, showing his activity in
this cause. ne introduced Senate resolu-
ton 48s, directing the Secretary of Com
merce to inform the Senate if arms and
ammunition were being exported from
me United States, the quantity. and
wnat contracts were in existence for
snch exports
"on February 2, 1915, he proposed
saiS same matter as an amendment to
piai pend;ng IN the Senate. On De-
esmber l.. 1915, seven months after the
ssnklhg Of the Luis tania, he introduce ed
senate bill $50 prohibiting the sale
ana export Of arms and ammunition to
sny nation with which the United States
vas at peace W
nesween these date. the Senator
ne. @ very active in urging these meas
u;o.; ores. The American Embargo Asso-
sss'0n, IN sympathy with Germany,
AND md ,s ,is.foagly supporting these bills,
sa1 saa the Senator introduced the bill,
sh;., sai resolutions and merdments in
mn ha,cn It was interested. If his efforts
.ao succeeded. then Germany would