Activate Javascript or update your browser for the full Digital Library experience.
Previous Page
–
Next Page
OCR
66
‘ LLTHE FATHERLAND
SHALL THE UNITED STATES INSIST UPON HUMAN
GUARANTEES FOR THE DELIVERY
CARGOES OF MURDER?
BY GEORGE SYLVESTER VIERECK.-ARTICLE IV
CCORDING to a list based on manifests filed in the Auditor’s
Department of the United States Custom House, published in
a recent issue of the Christian Herald the shipments of arms, am-
’ munition, explosive chemicals, swords, bayonets and other muni-
tions of war from the port of New York for a period of two months,
April 1st to June 1st, amounted in value to $14,771,214. In a little
over a month, that is, from June 1st to July 5th,. the exports, ac-
cording to a list published in the New York American, increased to
more than $15,500,000. Among the ships'carrying these cargoes of
death and destruction were many carrying passengers-thousands
' 1.
mill; the Administration willing to jeopardize the.1ives ‘of
peaceful, helpless people travelling abroad by allowing ship-
ments of arms and ammunition on these ships?” asked the Chris-
tian H crald. “Are the American people willing that the persons
of American citizens shall be used to guarantee the delivery of
these sinister cargoes of death? Or shall the people unite in
demanding that such exports shall cease, and that from our
parts shall go argosies bearing only what will add to the.well-
being of humanity and the good of the world? A few ships go
forth from time to time bearing charity-food for the starving of
impoverished countries and medicines for the alleviation of those
who have been wounded in a war which American munition manu-
facturers are helping to prolong. How few are these compared to
the ships carrying tools of murder, fuel for the earth's most catas-
trophic tragedyl How little our charity, compared to the millions
of dollars reaped from the harvest of blood and killing! '
“The United States has become the seat of a mighty war-making
industry. Shall not every citizen take it upon himself to demand
that this highly capitalized trade of death be crushed at once, and
that manufacturers turn to peaceful trade which will add to the
prosperity and future security of human kind?"
Embargo -Absolutely Neutral
This is the comment of one of the most powerful religious organs
in the world on this traliic in death. This is the sentiment of a
great portion of the Christian people in America. Among those who
have taken a firm stand in opposing the export of arms and am-
munition are many of the most celebrated statesmen, clergymen and
ethical leaders of the country. That part of the American press
which is pro-Ally effects to regard the German objections to our
murder traffic as insincere, because the German government has pur-
chased munitions of war in this country. In asking for an embargo
on arms, while buying munitions in the United States, Germany was
neither insincere nor inconsistent. An embargo, in absolute keeping
with the spirit of neutrality, would prevent the export of munitions
to all belligerents. It would, therefore, certainly not be unneiitral
to deprive both Germany and England of war material.
As a matter of fact, the war material purchased by Germany has
not reached Germany, but has been bought by Germany solely to
prevent it from reaching her enemies. Germany has officially in-
formed the Department of State that she holds herself in readiness
to sell all of this war material to the United States government.
Germany may not be in a position to protest against this traliic.
But we, as American citizens, can protest against this shameful com-
merce, because it reacts against peaceful industry, because it is a
menace to the future peace of the world, and because it is in viola-
tion-whatever may be the precedents set by nations-of the most
sacred principles of justice and humanity. Even now the desire of
some to protect the profits of Great Britain's munition agents with
American lives may involve this country in war. Mr. Morgan, Mr.
Schwab, and the munition manufacturers of the country receive
their blood money, and Americans may have to pay for their profits
with their blood.
Are American Lives to Protect This Export?
According to figures obtained from the Department of Commerce
the war materials shipped from the United States to the Allies dur-
ing eleven months of the war, August to June, inclusive, was valued
at $67,902,270. The shipments during a similar period in the preced-
ing year aggregated $12,885,584, showing an increase of $55,016,686,
or more than 400%. The various shipments were as follows: Car-
tridges, $17,402,410; gunpowder, $5,088,754; other explosives, $17,-
703,580; fire arms, $9,157,963; brass plates, $6,117,160; brass articles.
including shell casings, $12,330,403.
In his last note to Germany. President VVilson demanded that the
lives of neutrals be protected no matter on what ships they were
travelling. The loss of American lives and property by Germany's
submarine warfare would be considered, he said, as “deliberately
unfriendly."
Is the demand upon Germany that she iiicrtly submit to the trans-
portation and delivery of these increasingly vast’ cargoes of war
material on British, ‘rench and Italian passenger ships to allied
ports friendly, fair or neutral? Can Germany be expected to foreg0
her sole means of destroying these tools of murder destined ‘for
the annihilation of her soldiers? Shall this country be plunged into
war that the pockets of Mr. Morgan, Mr. Schivab and our war
magnates may be enriched? g ,
Some time ago the Orduiia sailed, carrying among other shipments
the following:
3,800 cases of cartridges.
14,325 billets and bundles of steel.
188 barrels of crude metals.
288 coils'of wire rope.
338 barrels of zinc oxide.
84 pieces of pipe for submarine tubes.
107 autos.
100 cases of auto parts.
986 cases of empty shells.
15 cases of motor cycle parts.
404 cases of infantry equipment.
765 cases of brass rods.
220 cases of fuses.
17 cases of revolvers.
60 cases of aeroplanes and parts.
1,018 cases of copper rods.
Aboard were seven Americans.
Crew of Arabic Trained Riflemcn
Recently the VVhite Star liner Cymric left New York for LIVCP
pool carrying a tremendous cargo of munitions consigned to the
British government. Among 52 cabin and 120 steerage passenge”
was one American.
The White Star liner Adriatic sailed for Liverpool on August 407'
carrying 16,500 tons of war materials. This included 50 aeroplanes
and 200 motor trucks. “The ship was hard down to her Plimsol
mark with what was estimated to be the largest cargo of war mum‘
tions yet taken from this port," said the New York World. "H"
entire main deck was enclosed in canvas and lined with auto trucks
for army use. Then many of her steerage berths had been taken
down to make room for freight. Above this mass of war cargo
were 13 first-cabin, 98 second-cabin and 177 third-class passeI18e"5'
Official: of the line said no Anicriraii: were in the salami, but U30’
7 Aiiierfcans were on board, 3 in the strand cabin, 12 in the third
class and two United State: Post Opicc clerks. ' ,
“The twelve Americans in the third class were mechanics on their
way to employment in ammunition factories in England. It W35
said a letter from the steamship office to recruits mentioned $30 “
week. plus overtime, with a year's employment guaranteed, 35 W91
as rail and ocean fare both ways. The mechanics who sailed yester-
day were kept well aft and no one was allowed to approach thCm-
The rule against any but passengers going aboard the liner was en‘
forced more strictly. than ever before."
When the VVhite Star line steamship Arabic sailed on June 23'?
she carried war materials as follows: Acetic acid, $3,987; ammtmla
tion, $19,387; cartridges, $122,220; empty projectiles, $66,688 all -
$10,447. On her succeeding trip,
a war cargo of 16,000 tons.
twelve American citizens.
The Arabic was virtually a floating arsenal and was barricaded
both for attack and defense in the manner of a ship of war. The
New York World reported that the crew had trained themselves 35
riflemen, and that on its last trip from Liverpool to New York life)’
had launched a raft in the ocean which was used for target practice-
The World announced that the crew was quite confident of destroy‘
mg any submarine that might come the ship's way. The New Y9’,
Tune: told the following significant fact concerning the Arabic‘
last sailing from this port: -“The Arabic was painted a dark 8'33’
color, known as ‘war gray,’ as a protection during her journey
through the war zone and in further anticipation of submarine 31‘
tacks. The after wheelhouse was barricaded with a rampaft 0
sandbags to protect the steering apparatus from shell fire."
British Merchantmen Armed
For the United States government to demand the protection ‘if
Americans travelling on :1 munition carrier, thus fortified. is Pl""‘5"'
cally giving this government’s protection to enemy ships of menace
to Germany and to become, in deed and practice, an ally of G793’
Britain. It has been established that English merchantmen and P35‘
senger ships have been armed. In fact, tempting prizes have 1395”
offered in England to the captains of ships succeeding in ramming
Saturday July 28th, she caffied
Among the passengers at the time were