Springfield weekly Republican. [volume], September 17, 1914, Page 8, Image 8

About Springfield weekly Republican. [volume] (Springfield, Mass.) 1851-1946

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SPRINGFIELD, THURSDAY, SEPT. H, Wl4
SIXTEEN PAGES.
Uncle Sam Leaves Vera Crus.
After advices from his personal repre
sentative, Paul Fuller, who has been
observing conditions in Mexico and in
terviewing Gen Carranza, President Wil
son has ordered the United States troops
withdrawn from Vera Cruz. The situa
tion was discussed at a cabinet meeting
Tuesday when the comforting conclu
sion was reached that it would be wise
to take this step. Mexico and the Unit
ed States will both be glad of it Only
Col Henry Watterson has of late pleaded
to have the stars and stripes planted on
“the glory crowned hights" of the city
of Mexico. Others who were earlier with
him in demanding the conquest of Mexi
co have fallen away, and since the aw
ful tragedy of the war in Europe has
been in view the thankfulness of our peo
ple that this country is at peace with all
the world has been most profound. Every
thing that makes for the perpetuation of
this concord will be welcomed.
Only the time of leaving Vera Cruz has
been in question, and on this point the
president sought special light. Just what
assurances have been given is known only
to those in authority, but that they are
deemed sufficient is reassuring as to the
future of Mexico. In line with the belief
that our troubled neighbor is in the way
of rehabilitation and progress is the news
that the mail service to all parts of that
country has been resumed. Reports of
differences in the past between Villa and
Carranza were disproved by later develop
ments. and we may well believe that the
two men are now working together as
they have been. In his kindly and patient
way Uncle Sam will be ready to do al!
he can to help Mexico to her feet again.
The Result In Maine.
The lesson of the Maine election is the
one that has been in evidence ever since
Theodore Roosevelt insisted upon having
his way in the last republican national
convention —when a compromise had oth
erwise been possible—which is, that if
former republicans continue their division
the democrats are to reap the advantage.
Thus the democrat. Oakley C. Curtis,
the Portland former mayor and coal deal
er, has been chosen governor, whereas the
combined republican and progressive votes
would have defeated him. The expected
happened in the sharp decline of the pro
gressive vote, revealing in the Pine Tree
state the recession from the Roosevelt
standard, which has been in evidence
throughout the country. Events are prov
ing too strong for the new departure in
politics, which was too largely based upon
Mr Roosevelt's desire to rule. Whereas in
1912 Mr Roosevelt polled 47,904 votes, on
Monday the vote for Gardner, the pro
gressive candidate for governor, was
about 18.000. a loss of more than 62 per
cent. It is manifest that those who voted
for the progressive ticket in the presi
dential election have to a startling degree
returned to their former political alle
giance. In the light of this event, the
progressive talk about carrying Maine at
this time is made as ridiculous as it
seemed in advance to be to those who
had made a study of the political condi
tions in that state. The effect of this
disaster is very certain to be felt in the
Massachusetts voting this fall On joint
ballot the democrats will control the Leg
islature, despite the progressive claim that
they would hold the balance of power.
In the account which Maine has given
of herself on the state ticket especially
will there be cheer for the Wilson ad
ministration. There can be no doubt that
there, as well as throughout the country
among the thoughtful people, the leader
ship of President Wilson has commended
itself. His ability to secure a response
from his party in Congress in large mat
ters of public policy has favorably im
pressed impartial voters. There is also
in the news from Maine much to hearten
those who have been laboring to make the
republican party in the country more re
sponsive to the demands of the times.
This will tend to encourage a sensible and
desirable leadership, which is the thing
needed and seems in the way of accom
plishment. despite much poor talk on the
MX ißr-f ;^d,-UWtaull
there seems to represent very well the
trend of politics throughout the country.
There is room in this country for a strong
opposition to the party in power, and this
can best be brought about by liberalizing
the republican party.
The republicans will not go to Roose
velt; he must come to them if he would
have political salvation. That he can
again command full leadership in the old
party grows doubtful, for the type that
Emperor William represents is to be less
popular in this country.
Dr Dernburg’* Defense of Germany.
The fullest statement of Germany’s case
which has yet appeared is that made^ by
Dr Bernhard Demburg in the New York
Sun. Dr Dernburg, who is now in
this country, was appointed in 1906 as
head of the German colonial office, to suc
ceed Prince von Hobeniohe-Langenburg,
and his presentation may therefore be re
garded as quasi-official. It deserves and
will receive careful attention, and is pro ’
ably the ablest defense of Germany’s
course that has been made. That it gives
cause for sny reversal of judgment base
on the facts as they have developed from
day to day is not so clear, and like other
statements of the same sort it is strangely
silent at the precise points in regard to
which Americans have been honestly seek
ing for information, not in any spirit of
hostility to Germany but in the quest for
data by which to form an opinion.
It was certainly in no spirit of hostility
to Germany that the war has been called,
by no means accurately, "the kaiser s
•war.” Rather does this effort to put the
blame on a ruler bespeak a sincere desire
to exculpate the 66,000,000 people of Ger
many. That the emperor is not omnipo
tent everybody of course knows who fol
lows German affairs, yet in seeking to
show that the whole German nation is re
sponsible Dr Dernburg goes much too
far. It is true that universal suffrage ex
ists, but he neglects to say that it is a
“loaded” suffrage which gives the people
no such power as in the United States.
It is true that the emperor may not declare
war except when German territory is at
tacked. but be is of course the judge as to
when it is attacked, and reports that an
airship had crossed the frontier would pre
sumably be ground enough. Moreover, un
der the militaristic system, the power to
mobilize is the power to declare war: cit
izens automatically become soldiers, and
political protest becomes mutiny, punish
able by death. Thus practically speaking
there are no limits to his power to declare
war, for, the die cast, the people would have.
to rally to the support of their country;
the peril would be equally great whether
the cause was just or unjust. Therefore it
does not relieve the kaiser of responsibil
ity. providing that he could have prevented
the war. to say that he has the support of
the German people. For it is still to be
proved that he would not have had the
support of the people in continuing a pol
icy of peace.
Also in defending German militarism Dr
Dernburg has his moments of awkward si
lence. It is not wholly to the point that
the history of Germany after the collapse
of Charlemagne's great empire, and spe
cially after the Reformation, was unfor
tunate. That it was the battle ground of
the Thirty Years' war was due not to ha
tred for Germany but to the fact that
the Reformation started there and that
Germany was divided against itself—
among the enemies mentioned is Ger
many’s present ally. Austria. Germany
has had its misfortunes, and resentment
for them is natural, but they have not been
misfortunes in the same sense as those of
Poland and the buffer states of the Bal
kans. Since 1870 it has not been possible
to say that Germany needed a huge army
because she was small, weak and divided.
In a sense it may be true that militarism
has “played a smaller part” in Germany
than in France, but only in the sense that
the more rapid growth of Germany has
made the burden of competition greater
for France.
By no means conclusive is the argument
that Germany must favor peace because
“it would he insane to start so many en
terprises if the idea of an aggressive or
‘provoked war had been in the mind of the
emperor.” On the contrary, starting too
many enterprises might make it all the
more necessary to find a “place in the
‘sun." Until war broke out it may have
seemed very reasonable to argue that “a
“people that must always be afraid of be
ing overrun” can “do nothing in the works
‘of peace,” but the war has badly dam
aged the theory that “the German mili
tary. as well as its naval force, has been
‘created on purely defensive lines.”
No part of Dr Demburg’s argument is
franker than his admission that the “Slavic
‘menace” is due not to Russian autocracy
but to the growth of liberalism in Russia.
While the kaiser and the czar had things
in their own hands they gnt on famously,
but “the world has become more demo
‘cratic within the last half century.” Dy
nasties are less and the people more, and
in particular the Russian people have
“forced the czar to unroll the banner of
‘pan-Slavism.” Of pan-Germanism Dr Dern
burg has not a word to say, yet it was first
in the field, and as a menace to Austrian
integrity has also to be considered. In an
impartial review it is necessary not to con
sider either as legitimate and the other as
wicked, but to view them as rival ambi
tions. the promoters of which are to be
judged by their conduct.
Dr Dernburg is disposed to glide rather
easily over the conduct of Austria, holding
that “whether this war came now, as a
‘consequence of the murder of the Austrian
‘crown prince or some later time, is with
‘out importance.” This is essentially the
theory of an “irrepressible conflict.” and
if Germany is able to make out any case at
the bar of history it may be on this
ground. But it is useless to urge such an
argument and at the same time blame
England and France for joining in. Here
Dr Dernburg’s logic is at its weakest. In
regard to Belgium, it is quite true that
Gladstone and other English politicians,
including Labouchere, took the view that
in guaranteeing Belgian neutrality En
gland had assumed no responsibility to
make war for its protection. But it is
also true that German writers, including
the historian Von Sybel, hare denounced
this, at a time when French aggression
seemed more probable, as a mean, selfish
and spiritless evasion. But whether or
not England was in duty bound to go to
the defense of Belgium, it is absurd to
make of Gladstone's evasion of responsi
bilitj^>44he Bek amt-exposure pl a-coati-
THE SPRINGFIELD WEEKLY REPUBLICAN: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1914.
nental war a defense for Germany's attack
on Belgian neutrality. “Marching through
‘Belgium." says Dr Dernburg, as “ac
'cording to Mr Gladstone, she had a right
‘to do.” But what Gladstone was speak
ing of was the duty of guaranteeing Bel
gian neutrality, a very different matter.
If a querulous middle-aged citizen de
nies that he is in duty bound tn get up in
the dead vast and middle of the night,
seize the poker and go to apprehend a
burglar in a neighbor’s house, he may not
he a model citizen, but his conduct is no
excuse for the burglar. Nor if he should
finally, still grumbling, take up the poker
and aally out, he may fairly be charged
with inconsistency, but not with dishon
orable couduct. American opinion is
bound to be colored to some extent by
sympathy with little countries like Servia
and Belgium, and for this Dr Dernburg
perhaps insufficiently allow-s.
But if in the pleas of German spokes
men there are awkward gaps and defec
tive logic, in justice to Germany it may be
suggested that its case is not susceptible
of a clear logical statement, that it rests
not on logic but on an inner compulsion,
and has little more reference to .ethics
than the descent of the Vandals upon
Rome. Nobody now blames the Vandals,
a thousand years from now nobody may
blame the Germans for yielding to a crowd
instinct utterly at variance with the thin
veneer of civilization and Christianity
which the world has put on. If that is the
underlying truth, the only argument possi
ble is the argument of war. Of the famous
plains of Chalons, where the battle rages,
Schiller wrote, “Measureless spread is the
’table dread, for the grim wild play of the
‘iron dice.” There is no other answer to
the argument that might makes right. But
when that appeal is taken, defeat makes
wrong.
A LAWYER’S ANALYSIS.
Of Germany’s Case aa Officially Set
Forth.
To the Editor of The Republican
In crossing Germany on the first
through train of Americans it was every
where and in every way made evident to
me that Germany hungered for the ap
proval of America for the part she had
played in the events that resulted in the
war. The foreign office also showed the
same anxiety by publishing an explanation
and defense in English and widely dis
tributing it in the form of a pamphlet,
the so-called white paper, entitled “Ger
many’s reasons for war with Russia.”
This pamphlet, it has seemed to me.
furnishes sufficient foundation for a judg
ment adverse to Germany, without re
course to such statements as have been
or may be issued by the opposing side.
Amid the confusion and contradiction over
important facts, contended for outside of
this pamphlet, this pamphlet itself fur
nishes a point of rest and conclusive judg
ment In it we find the case sufficiently
proved admitting all the facts therein al
leged. I assume, therefore, the facts as
set forth. One further assumption must
be made, namely, that the emperor of Ger
many is a highly intelligent man and sees
and intends the natural and reasonable
consequences of his actions.
The first statement of importance made
in the document is that “for the third
time in the course of the last six years
lias Servia led Europe to the brink of a
world war.” The first point then that I
make is, that the emperor was well aware
that in dealing with Servia he dealt with a
country and a problem that had shown
themselves apt and- likely to bring on a
world war, and therefore whatever act lie
performed, counseled or sanctioned toward
Servia must be with the conviction and
foreknowledge that it was a European
matter and just that much bigger than its
apparent origin. The elements he was mix
ing contained explosives of the highest co
efficient and he could never afterward be
heard to plead that he could not have been
expected to regard the claims of outside
European nations or the results that fol
lowed because they protested their rights
were involved.
The second important statement in the
document is an assurance given to Austria
before the ultimatum was sent to Servia,
namely:—
We assured Austria that an action con
sidered necessary to end the movement in
Servia . . . would meet with our ap
proval. We were perfectly aware that a
possible warlike attitude of Austria-Hungary
against Servia might bring Russia into the
field and that It might therefore Involve us
in a war in accordance with our duty as
a'lies. We would not, however, in these
vital interests of Austria-Hungary, which
were at stake, advise our ally to take a
yielding attitude not compatible with his
dignity. ... We therefore permitted Aus
tria n completely free hand In her action
toward Servia.
This certainly laid the train of gunpow
der that was sure to carry the spark, if
Austria did not keep safely within peace
able methods in dealing with a hot-blood
ed and intemperate antagonist such as she
had in Servin. But, in any event, cau
tions reasonable and peace-preserving, if
Austria might be, or rash, unreasonable
and aggressive, whichever it turned out,
this forceful and intelligent emperor of a
mighty country agreed to stand behind her,
and with her take all the consequence*,
knowing that he held at. stake the possi
bility of irreparable and infinite loss to
every Civilization in Europe.
In a matter then involving, in the opinion
of the emperor, the peace of Europe, due
or any deliberation was cast to the winds
and Austria delivered to Servia an ulti
matum including an “unconditional ac
ceptance of its demands within 48 hours.”
She declined to listen to any “negotia
tions,” or qualifications or subject herself
to consider “further assurances” or permit
a reference as requested by Servia “to the
international court at The Hague or to
the decision of the great powers.”
In the multitude of many reasons and
arguments to he adduced on the many
points involved in fixing the blame for this
war. I submit that no more effective means
than those above outlined as pursued by
Germany could have been taken by an in.
telligent country and an able statesman
to force on a European war. The explo
sives had been mixed in the right propor
tions. the train laid, the lighted torch put
in the hands of one rash power with en
couragement to -do whatever her offended
dignity, the honor of her empire, or divine
justice might require, and what else could
happen but the rent destruction that Eu
rope exhibits to-day. Did the lowest esti
mate of Servia, or the highest belief in the
righteousness and dignity of Austria re
quire a limitation of 48 hours in which the
trembling balance of the peace of Europe
could be brought to equilibrium, or justify
a demand for the unconditional surrender
at every one of the 10 points of the ulti
matum, any one of which might pierce the
tender flesh of a sister state. Does such
haste and hauteur picture the love of peace
or of war? Does it indicate an intention
for peace or for war?
I have purposely refrained from discus
sing, by whom or at what later point of
time, peace might have been snatched
from the whirl of quickly-succeeding
events. It may be true that some other
power was at some other time at some
fault. Such claims upon Germany’s part,
even if well founded, cannot exonerate her
from the blame to be attached to her own
intelligent, direct and well-directed method
of bringing on war, and will fail to win
the belief of the world in the sincerity of
hgr devotion to peace.
i Osgood Pottum.
S. 8. Rofierdam. bound for yew York, Sep
fembet 7, 1914,
DROP FREIGHT TAX
DECISION OF DEMOCRATS
STILL TO BE RECKONED WITH
Washington Opinion of Progressives
as Result of Maine Election.
From Our Special Correspondent.
Washington, D. C.. Tuesday, Sept. 15.
It has been a war revenue day at the
White House and capitol. President
Wilson, returning from his New Hamp
shire sojourn, arranged for an afternoon
meeting with Representative Underwood
and Senator Simmons, at which the sub
ject was discussed, especially the freight
tax. Before they arrived at his offices
word had circulated that the president
was willing the freight tax should be
abandoned, and when the democratic cau
cus assembled this evening it was a
certainty this would be done. Now the
ways aud means democrats have caucus
authority to drop that feature and draw
a new bill to include a two-cent tax on
gasoline and certain Spanish war stamp
taxes, including commercial instruments.
To-day’s work seems to assure the sub
sidence of democratic recalcitrants and
more harmonious party procedure in the
enactment of the measure.
Senate republicans, however, have run
up their flag of unfaltering opposition to
any war revenue bill. Thus it was deter
mined at a caucus of that contingent.
Freight tax or no freight tax, republicans
are against the bill. There is some un
certainly how robust this opposition will
prove. It will probably be able to prolong
consideration of the war revenue bill and
dispel prospects of an adjournment of the
Senate for some weeks. The House will
hardly complete the.measure for 10 days.
Aspects of the Maine election were hard
ly of secondary interest to war revenue
to-day. Republicans were agreeably dis
appointed that it was no worse. Some of
those who returned from Maine late in
the week were afraid democrats might
carry every congressional district in the
state and awaited the counting of the
ballots with apprehension. There is much
comment here about the progressive vote,
which is regarded aa indication of an inde
pendent force which must be reckoned with
for years to come. While the Maine pro
gressives were not very numerous, those
who stuck are regarded here as voters un
likely to return to the republican fold.
Democrats are much delighted that they
gained measurably over the returns from
the national election of 1912.
There was considerable surprise this
evening over the announcement that the
army would be withdrawn forthwith from
Vera Cruz. The president and Secretary
of War Garrison had given almost no
warning of this intention, although con
siderable had been heard recently about
complaints from Mexicans that a United
States army was maintained on their soil.
The action is taken as fresh evidence of
President Wilson’s earnest desire to fur
ther the efforts of Provisional President
Carranza to restore normal conditions.
Proceedings of Senate and House to-day
had little of interest. The Senate contin
ued discussion of the rivers and harbors
bill, but the speeches were on subjects
often hardly related to the bill. The House
considered the mineral lands leasing bill.
TO REVIVE ^PANISH WAR TAX.
House Democratic Caucus Agrees on
Substitute War Revenue Bill.
Abandoning the proposed tax on freight
transportation, the democrats of the House
caucus at Washington Tuesday night
agreed to a war revenue measure which
will include the Spanish war tax on com
mercial and legal papers, the Spanish
war taxes on bankers, brokers, theaters
and other amusement places, a tjix of two
cents a gallon on gasoline, a special tax
on tobacco manufacturers and dealers, do
mestic wines and beer.
The Spanish war special taxes which
are to be adopted by the committee were
as follows: Banks with capital and sur
plus not exceeding $25,000. to pay a tax
of SSO and $2 additional for each addition
al SIOOO of capital: stock and bond brok
ers. SSO; pawnbrokers. S2O: commercial
brokers. S2O; custom-house brokers. $10;
proprietors of theaters, museums and con
cert halls in cities of more than 25.000
population. $100; circuses. SIOO. in each
state where performances are given:- all
other public amusement places. $10; bowl
ing alleys and billiard halls. $5 a table or
alley. The tax on tobacco dealers and
manufacturers ranges from $6 to dealers
in leaf tobacco doing an annual business
not exceeding $50,000. to $24 on cigar
dealers doing a business in excess of $200.-
000 a year. The proposed stamp tax will
include bills of lading, telegraph and long
distance telephone messages.
RIVERS AND HARBORS GRAB.
Pruning: Does Not Satisfy—Gillett on
Appropriations.
Elimination of $18,000,000 from river
and harbor bill appropriations by the Sen
ate commerce committee as a war emer
gency failed at Washington Saturday to
appease opponents of the measure and the
filibuster against it was resumed on the
floor. After the committee bad announced
that the total had been reduced from $53,-
000,000 to $34,000,000, Senator Burton
of Ohio, republican, leading the opposition,
issued a statement declaring that the light
would continue.
"The reductions made,” said Senator
Burton’s statement, "do not diminish by
more than a few hundreds of thousands
the ultimate expense of pending river and
harbor improvement. What the. opponents
cf the bill object to is such vicious items
as the Cumberland river above Nashville,
the ultimate expense of which would he
$4,500,000. A proposed system of locks
and dams in the Tennessee, indefinite in
the final expenditure, still remain in the
bill Again .the .Sacramento and Feather
rivers, a reclamation project, which does
not belong in a river and harbor bill, is not
changed. Upon this project the bill con
templates the expenditures of $3,860,000.
“As an illustration of the action of the
committee, a project in Boston harbor, in
tended to make it easy and safe for deep
draft boats to enter, and an authorization
of $1,000,000 for Philadelphia are omitted,
while the Brazos, the Trinity, the Red
and the Ouachita rivers, though provision
is reduced, stUl remains. A very large
number of inconsequential creeks and
streams on the Alantlc coast and else
where still occupy a prominent place.”
While the Senate was cutting down the
bill Chairman Fitzgerald of the appro
priations committee in the House and Rep
resentative Gillett, the committee’s rank
ing republican, were exchanging speeches
on the subject in which charges and
counter-charges involving platform pledges,
Panama tolls, and the Slexican policy, fig
ured. Mr Gillett charged the democratic
Congress with exceeding all records ror
appropriations.
Trade Commission Bill Adopted.
Late Thursday in Washington the House
adopted the conference report on the trade
commission bin. It already has been ap
proved by the Senate and goes to the
president for signature. The president
will not nominate the commissioners until
December, he announced last week.
LOOKING TOWARD PEACE.
American Negotiations—Kaiser's Re
ply la Awaited—Arrival of Belgian
Commissioners.
Officials of the Washington government
and diplomats revealed Tuesday a feel
ing of expectancy that within another
day or two Emperor William would re
ply to the informal peace inquiry made
by the United States a week ago. Ad
ministration officials are clinging to the
hope that the answer of the German gov
ernment may open the way for further
discussion with Great Britain, France and
Russia of peace terms.
Since President Wilson's tender of good
offices was made and acknowledged in a
noncommittal way by Germany, along
with the other belligerents, American dip
lomats have been watchful for the slight
est intention of a readiness to talk peace.
The advices which Embassador Gerard
had sent the American government early
last week—before the inquiry was ad
dressed to. him—were to the effect that
overtures of peace were at that moment
inadvisable. On the other hand, the
American government had before it the
reported willingness of the emperor to
make peace as related by Oscar Straus
after a conversation with Count Von
Bernstorff. the German embassador. Mr
Gerard then was instructed, notwith
standing published reports, to ascertain
whether the German emperor desired to
confirm these reports. Officials expected
a definite answer this week mak
ing allowances for the time necessary
for the embassador to get in communica
tion through the German foreign office
with the emperor, who is at the front.
In the meantime President Wilson, it
became known Tuesday, had made no
reply to the messages from Emperor Will
iam and President Poincare of France
relating to the use of dumdum, bullets
In the war. The president received yes
terday the commission of Belgian offi
cials. who have come from their country
especially to lay before him their com
plaint against alleged violations of civil
ized warfare in the German invasion. It
is understood that the president will make
a general statement after the Belgians
have seen him, covering their protest as
well as the messages from the German
emperor and the French president, reit
erating the neutrality of the United
States.
BRYAN SIGNS PEACE TREATIES.
Those With Great Britain, France,
Spain and China Added to His List.
In the presence of the cabinet, Secretary
Bryan at Washington Tuesday signed
peace treaties with the diplomatic repre
sentatives of Great Britain, France, Spain
and China. The treaties bind each of the
countries and the United States to submit
to investigation by an internatonal com
mission for a period of at least a year all
questions which cannot be settled diplo
matically. During the period of investiga
tion hostilities cannot be opened. With
the signing of peace treaties Tuesday Secre
tary Bryan’s peace pacts number 26, of
which 19 already have been ratified by the
Senate. Germany, Russia and Japan have
accepted the investigation proposal in
principle.
Members of the cabinet and administra
tion officials witnessed the signing cere
mony in the office of the secretary of state-
It was a happy moment for Mr Bryan,
who has spent more tha a year person
ally negotiating the pacts. Mrs Bryan
and personal friends of the secretary were
present. Afterward, Mr Bryan issued the
following statement: —
"The signing of the four treaties to-day
with Great Britain, France, Spain aud
China bring under treaty obligations more
than 900,000,000 people. These, when
added tjt the population of the United
States and the population of the 22 coun
tries with which similar treaties have here
tofore been signed, brings under the influ
ence of these treaties considerably more
than two-thirds of the inhabitants of the
globe. As these treaties all provide for
investigation of all matters in dispute be
fore any declaration of war or commence
ment of hostilities, it is believed they will
make armed conflict between the contract
ing nations almost, if not entirely, impos
sible, The government is gratified to take
this long step in the direction of peace and
is not only willing, but anxious, to make
similar treaties with all other nations,
large and small.”
The cabinet officers, embassadors and
ministers wKo witnessed the signing of
the treaties were given a luncheon at the
University club later. Speeches were made
there in advocacy of peace, but no direct
references were made to the present Euro
pean war. As a cabinet officer said later,
the conversation was “entirely neutral."
Secretary Bryan arranged the following
menu:—
Neutrality soup.
French olives. White radishes.
Spanish omelette.
English mutton chops.
Rice croquettes a la Pekin. French neas.
Corn O’Brien.
Miami salad.
American ice-eream.
Oolong tea.
Under the ice-cream, the secretary had
this quotation: “Diplomacy is the art of
keeping cool.” At the head of the menu
card was written : “Peace hath her victories
no less renowned than war,” and at the
foot in heavy type was “Nothing is final
between friends.” The last quotation was
the answer which Secretary Bryan gave to
Viscount Chinda, the Japanese embassador
last year when the latter inquired if a
certain note on the alien land controversv
was “the last word.”
BLOW AT MERCHANT MARINE.
Minority Report on BUI to Create a
Government Merchant Marine.
Declaring that the establishment of a
government-owned steamship line is a di
rect attack upon the invested capital and
would mean the ultimate destruction of
steamship lines which the Ingenuity and
wisdom of a deserving class of citizens
have built up and maintained in the car
rying trade of the United States, seven
members of the committee on the mer
chant marine at Washington Tuesday
introduced in the House a minority report
on the merchant marine bill, which was
framed to meet conditions arising out of
the European war. The report is signed
by five republicans, Greene of Massachu
setts, Hinds of Maine, Curry of Cali
fornia, Edmonds of Pennsylvania. Parker
of New York, and two democrats. Saun
ders of Virginia and Thacher of Massa
chusetts. Possibly the most dangerous
effect of the measure, the report declares,
would be the result its enactment might
have on the position of neutrality on the
part of the United States in the war. The
bill, continues the report, would, if it be
came law, stifle all commercial enterprise
and turn over to the government itself
the power to create a merchant marine,
which power could, it is asserted, be ex
tended and enlarged as long as money re
mained in the treasury, and as much
longer as Congress should provide by
taxation to replenish the treasury.
Veto on Postal Savings Bill.
President Wilson Friday vetoed the
bill to raise the limit of individual de
posits in postal savings banks to SIOOO,
because it contained a provision repealing
a section of the new bank law, which pro
vides that federal funds must be deposited
only with members of'the federal reserve
system.
Wilson Sl*ns >1,000,000 Appropria
tion.
President Wilson Friday signed the
bill appropriating WOO.OUO for the extra
expenses of the American diplomatic and
consular service during the European war.
TO QUIT VERA CRUZ
PRESIDENT GIVES ORDER
AT GEN CARRANZA’S REQUEST
SEAPORT HELD SINCE APRIL 21
Troops to Be Withdrawn as Soon as
Possible—Purpose of Occupation
Long Since Achieved.
Evacuation of Vera Cruz was ordered
at Washington Tuesday by President
Wilson. The American soldiers and ma
rines under Gen Funston, who have held
Mexico’s principal seaport since it was
seized by the fleet April 21 last, will em
bark for home as soon as transports can
go after them, and soon afterward all
of the war fleet, except a few light vessels
will be withdrawn.
The order for evacuation was formally
announced at the White House Tues
day after a long cabinet meeting. It is
the concluding chapter of the second
armed conflict between the United States
and Mexico, in which a score of Americans
lost their lives, nearly 100 were wounded
and upward of 300 Mexicans were killed
or wounded.
The reasons for the step were set
forth in the following statement from
the White House: “The troops have been
withdrawn from Vera Cruz. This action
is taken in view of the entire removal
of the circumstances which were thought
to justify the occupation. The further
presence of the troops is deemed unneces
sary.
Specifically the American forces were
withdrawn at the urgent appeal of Gen
Carranza, chief of the constitutionalist
army, who is in charge of the executive
power in Mexico City. Through Paul Ful
ler. personal representative of President
Wilson in Mexico, Gen Carranza set forth
that the presence of American troops, in
tsead of being a safeguard against further
revolution and peace with the United
States, constituted a constant menace to
friendly relations. The Mexican chief
contended—and he was supported by Gens
Villa and Obregon—that the Mexican peo
ple would not understand the continued
presence of American troops on Mexican
soil, and would be bound to cherish re
sentment no matter how well intentioned
the American government or how ac
quiescent the Mexico City administration
itself might be.
Until Tuesday the Washington govern
ment had not decided upon any fixed time
for the withdrawal for its forces and
awaited negotiation with the new govern
ment on the subject. At first the presi
dent believed it desirable to keep Ameri
can forces at Vera Cruz for salutary ef
fect, hoping that a constitutional election
would be conducted fairly and the troops
brought back after a constitutionally elect
ed executive was in power.
The constitutionalist chief argued, how
ever, that no election could be free and
without compulsion with a part of Mexi
can territory controled by American
forces- He pointed out, too, that the
question of the American troops might
soon become a domestic issue which might
cause internal dissension. The president
discussed the subject with his cabinet,
some of whom, it is understood, did not
favor-the move.
It was finally the consensus of opinion
that the main purpose of the American
expedition to Vera Cruz —to punish the
affront to th? flag at Tampico—had been
achieved through the occupation itself
and the forcing of Huerta’s abdication as
provisional president. The holding of the
port of Vera Cruz as an act of reprisal
against Huerta, it is admitted, was one
of the factors which started Huerta into
submission.
Another circumstance which influenced
the president’s judgment was the ap
proaching general convention of military
chiefs on October 1. On that date a
provisional president will be designated.
It may be Carranza or another. Gen
Carranza wished to ba able to turn over
the power to a successor with the coun
try absolutely at peace with its northern
neighbor. He argued that charges fre
quently had been made that the constitu
tionalists came into power through the
assistance of the United States, a con
tention from which anti-American feeling
was often fomented’ in Mexico.
No Decision on Recognition.
On the question of recognition, it is
known that the president and his advisers
have reached no decision. The conference
on October 1 will designate a provisional
president, who will undoubtedly be recog
nized if all factions accept him. The Unit
ed States, as well as Argentina, Brazil and
Chili, will consider the popular acceptance
of the provisional president chosen at that
conference as the fulfilment of the proto
cols signed at the Niagara Falls mediation
conference.
It had been intended by the American
government to withdraw its forces only
after recognition had been attained, but in
the interests of peace and harmony with
the southern republic, yesterday’s action
was deemed most expedient by the presi
dent, who is confident that a stable govern
ment will soon restore the country to its
normal condition.
The troops at Vera Cruz under Gen Fun
ston, including 710 soldiers and marines,
are expected to begin their departure in
about two weeks. Orders were sent Tues
day to transports now at Newport
News and Galveston to proceed to Vera
Cruz to take the forces on board. The
transports include the Sumner and Kil
patrick and the chartered boats City of
Denver and Christobal, Boats for carry
ing horses and freight are now at Galves
ton. Marines on duty at Vera Cruz will
be sent back to the warships and stations
from where they were taken, and the
troops will be sent to Texas City, where
the 2d army division is stationed.
RAILWAYS TAKEN OVER.
Carransa Government Renames Them
Constitutionalist Railways of Mexico.
Consul John R. Silliman reported from
Mexico City at • Washington Tuesday
that the constitutionalists have taken pos
session of the National railways of Mex
ico and renamed them the Constitutional
ist railways of Mexico. Mr Silliman re
ported that Carranza's government had
taken possession of the lines on the ground
that the Mexican government owns a ma
jority of the stock. The authorized capi
tal is $230,000,000 gold, of which prac
tically all the common stock is held by
the Mexican government. The system has
a total mileage of more than 6000, almost
all standard gauge, practically covering
Mexico. There are various issues of bonds
of the principal company and the con
stituent companies the system absorbed in
1898. The total of stocks and bonds is
nearly $300,000,000-
Word was received Tuesday at the
headquarters in New York of the National
railways of Mexico that the constitution
alist government had expelled all operat
ing and other officials of the road in Mex
ico from their positions and substituted Its
own employes. It was announced in New
York that this would be made the sub
ject of an official complaint to the Wash
ington government as an act of confisca
tion on the part of the constitutionalists.
Many of the officials of the road held
office under the Huerta regime. Among
them was the chairman. Luis Elguero,
relative of Rafael Elguero, one of the
Huerta delegates to the Niagara media
tion conference. Edward N. Brown, the
president, aud other officials of the com
pany are Americans who held their posi
tions by virtue of election bv the board
of directors which controled the manage
ment of the company previous to the con
stitutionalist revolution.
ANSWER TO CHANCELLOR
ISSUED BY SIR EDWARD GREY
British Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs Says England Would
Have Protected Belgian Neu
trality Against France.
The official press bureau at London an
nounces that the following statement is
issued with the authority of Sir Edward
Grey, secretary of state for foreign af
fairs, with regard to the communication
made by Dr Von Bethmann-Hollweg, the
imperial German chancellor, to the
press:—
“ 'Does anyone believe,' asks the Ger
man chancellor, ‘that England would have
interfered to protect Belgian freedom
against France?’ The answer is that she
would unquestionably have done so. Sit -
Edward Grey, as reported in the white
paper, asked the government whether it
was prepared to engage to respect the
neutrality of Belgium so long as no other
power violated it.
“The French government replied that
they were resolved to respect’it. The as
surance, It was added, had been given
several times and had formed the subject
of a conversation between President Poin
care and the German chancellor, who
entirely’ ignores the fact that England
took the same line about Belgian neutral
ity in 1870 that she has taken now. In
1870 Prince Bismarck, when approached
by England on the subject, admitted and
respected the treaty obligations in rela
tion to Belgium.
“The British government stands in 1914
as it stood in 1870. It is Herr von Beth
mann-Hollweg who refused to meet us in
1914, as Prince Bismarck met us in 1870.
The Imperial chancellor finds it strange
that Mr Asquith in his Guild hall speech
did not mention the neutrality of the
Scandinavian countries, and suggests that
the reason for the omission was some
sinister design on England’s part.
“It is impossible for any public speaker
to cover the whole ground in each speech.
The German chancellor’s reference to Den
mark and other Scandinavian countries can
hardly be considered very tactical with re
gard to Denmark. The Danes are not
likely to have forgotten the part played
by Prussia and England respectively, in
1863 and 1864. when the kingdom of Den
mark was dismembered; and the integrity
of Norway and Sweden was guaranteed by
England and France in the treaty of Stock
holm in 1855.
“The imperial chancellor refers to the
dealings of Great Britain with the Boer
republics and suggests that she has been
false therein to the causes of freedom.
Without going into controversies, now hap
pily past, we may recall what Gen Botha
said in the South African Parliament a
few days ago. when expressing his convic
tion of the righteousness of Great Brit
ain’s cause and explaining the firm resolve
of the South African union to aid her in
every possible way:—
“ ‘Great Britain had given them a con
stitution under which they could create a
great nationality, and had ever since re
garded them as a free people and as a sis
ter state. Although there might be many
who in the past had been hostile to the
British flag, he could vouch for it that
they would ten times rather be under the
British than under the German flag.’
“The German chancellor is equally un
fortunate in his reference to the colonial
empire. So far from British policy hav
ing been ‘recklessly egotistic,’ it has re
sulted in a great rally of affection and com
mon interest by all the British dominions
and dependencies, among which there is
not one which is not aiding Great Britain
by soldiers or other contributions, or both,
in this war.
“With regard to the matter of treaty
obligations generally, the German chan
cellor excuses the breach of Belgium’s
neutrality by military necessity, at the
same time making a virtue of having re
spected the neutrality of Holland and
Switzerland, and saying that it does not
enter his head to touch the neutrality of
the Scandinavian countries. A virtue
which admittedly is only practiced m the
absence of temptation from self-interest
and military advantage does not eeem
worth vaunting.
“To the chancellor s concluding state
ment that to the German sword is in
trusted the care of freedom for the Eu
ropean peoples and states, the treatment
of Belgium is a sufficient answer. ’
BELGIANS IN ENGLAND.
Generous Provision for Great Numbers
of Refugees.
Silty thousand Belgian refugees are ex
pected to arrive in England in the next
10 days. The British government extend
ed yesterday a general invitation to all
Belgians made homeless through the war
to come to England, and the volunteer war
refugees committee organized by the
duchess of Vendome has undertaken, with
government supervision, to receive and
care for these refugees.
The postmaster-general, Herbert L.
Samuel, was loudly cheered in the House
of Commons last week when he referred to
the fact that British hospitality had been
extended to the Belgians. He said that the
committee was in touch with 3800 Bel
gians on the way to England, and that
thousands of homeless persons were at
Liege and elsewhere who could not be
cared for by their government and must
seek shelter in some other country.
Six temporary depots have been estab
lished in London where over 3000 Bel
gians will he sheltered and fed until
they are placed in the homes of chari
table English families. Homes have al
ready been offered for 10,000 Belgians,
and the committee is arranging to send
refugees direct from Folkestone to Bir
mingham, Liverpool and other cities,
where refuge awaits them and the people
of all classes are eager to make them
comfortable. Scotch and Welsh towns
are especially anxious to entertain th«
Belgians and the committee believes it
can make provision for a million refugees
if necessary. Sanitary conditions and lack
of food in the Belgian territory fought
over and a probable attack on Antwerp
will doubtless make it necessary for hun
dreds of thousands of women and chil
dren to leave that country.
The British government is providing
special boats to Ostend for the purpose
of transporting the people as rapidly as
they gather there. Women and children
ere given the preference, but many men
unfit for military service, will also be
transferred to British territory and will
later return to Belgium. The refugee
depots are filled with Belgians of all
classes, rich and poor, driven out by the
war and temporarily stranded in Lon
don. Priests from the ruined cities often
bring scores of women and children from
their parishes and sisters come with large
numbers of girl pupils, who have been
unable to got from the destroyed con
vents to their homes.