Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-01-07
PHELAN RAPS
OILY METHODS
GREAT BRITAIN
In Attempt to Acquire
Monopoly Worlds
Supply
California Senator Charges Britain
Borrowed Four Billions from U. S.
and Used Own Money for That
Purpose-Now Using American Oil
and Saving Her Own Supplies

Washington, Jan. 6--Great Britain
was accused of "emulating the Hun
in pursuing her postwar oil policy
by Senator Phelan. Democrat, Cali
fornia, speaking in the Senate today
after Senator Mcclellan, Democrat.
Tennessee, had advocated cutting off
the British supply of American oil
unless Americans were accorded
equal rights with British subjects in
the purchase and development of
'.orld oil supplies.
The California senator added TO
his accusations the charge that
Great Britain at the same moment
she was appealing for American aid
during the war, declaring that her
back was to the WALL" was buying
up oil fields in other countries. With
this charge, Senator Pheldn coupled
another. to the effect that Great
Britain had obtained four billion dol
lars in loans from the United States
and had used her own money in an
attempt to acquire d monopoly OF
the world oil supply.
Senator Mcclellan a few moments
before Mr.. Phelan made his charges.
had declared that Great Britain was
putting forward claims of inability
to pay interest on American war
loans and was buying up the world
oil resources. England. while buying
UP these oil resources. Mr.. Mcclellan
said, was using American oil and
saving her own supplies for the
future.
The United States, Senator Nc
Kellar declared. has the power ito
bring England to terms" by refusing
permission for the obtaining of oil
from America. and in that connec-
ton he urged immediate action on
his bill proposing reciprocity as re-
CARDS oil With those nations which
do not discriminate against Ameri-
can citizens and retaliation against
those thai do.
I'VE ask for nothing but what is
right Senator Mcclellan asserted. I'VE
simpl" desire that our nationals shall
that We treat hers. We want them
to enjoy the same privileges in our
country that we want in theirs"
Senator Phelan turned the debate
from tic oil CUES ton to the japanese
land question by declaring that the
Japanese We're buying oil from British
companies in California for $3.50 a bar.
rel while Californians were being
charged Sc10 Il barrel Further acqui-
sition Of California oil lands by Brit
ish interests. Mr.. Phelan said. would
be stopped through enactment by the
Legislature of California of general
anti-alien land ownership bill which
he said. would at the same time meet
he japanese land problem.
Information was said by Senator
Phelan TO have come to him from "un-
foreground sources" that there recent
ly hal been a conference of British
and Japanese representa- tives at which
the Japanese were advised against ac-
cepting the proposed general anti
alien land bill as settlement of the
present controversy over land legis.
lation.
The fight is on and California pro-
poses to retaliate," Senator Phelan
asserted.
Senator Kellogg, Republican. Min
nesota, entered the debate to say that
the government should. by treaty, pro.
vide for protection of American in
terests Ill development Of oil in for
eign countries. and Senator Phelan
said he would introduce q resolution
tomorrow asking the state department
for information as to what had been
done in that respect.