play and to what as American citizens they have a right to expect. They believe, too, they have rights which the country is bound to respect, a country which they have helped to build up and for which they bled on every battle field from Lexington to Appomattox. But they do not stand alone. Millions of fair-minded Americans who believe that the point has been reached where the United States has it in its power to stop the war by merely withholding the means to continue it, and who sincerely wish for an early peace, are joining in the demand for favorable action on one of these resolutions. The movement has become nation wide. Immense mass meetings have been and are being held in the large cities, and the interest manifested at these meetings exceeds anything witnessed since the Civil War. I have here some resolutions which have been adopted at meetings of that kind, and I ask permission to insert those resolutions in the record. The CHAIRMAN. If there is no objection, you may insert the resolutions in the record. Mr. BARTHOLDT. I will first put into the record some resolutions passed by the Philadelphia branch of the National German-American Alliance at a meeting held at the hall of the German society, Marshall and Spring Garden Streets, Philadelphia, on Friday, December 11, 1914. (The resolutions referred to are as follows:) To the honorable the Members of Congress, Washington, D C.: Whereas 10 nations of the Old World are now waging the greatest war of mankind and are not only exhausting their own resource but are also drawing immense supplies and munitions of war from the United States of America; and Whereas the armament and supplies that are being furnished by the United States tend to increase the military conflagration of Europe, multiply the loss of life, already appalling, and cause the destruction of property that is bringing nations to desolation, and assist in the prolongation and continuance of this most dreadful of all wars; and Whereas we, as a people, from our hearts lift our voices in prayer for peace while, as a Nation, we are aiding in war and augmenting the struggle by emptying our private arsenals and war supplies onto the battle fields of Europe; and Whereas our Government has proclaimed strict neutrality, and thereby given assurance to American citizens of all races and to the belligerent powers themselves that we shall give aid and support to none, and by our acts as a Nation break no bonds of friendship with the countries with whom we are at peace, and create no discord among our citizens here by discriminating against their fatherland; yet when we offer military supplies and equipments to any nations that choose to buy, it is with the full knowledge that for 100 years England, by her supremacy on the sea, is the master of all contraband goods transported by water, and that she and her friends alone can benefit by our unholy commerce, and we are pursuing that course which diverges so far from strict neutrality that we injure our ancient friends, Germany and Austria, by every means in our power, excepting the employment of armed force alone; and Whereas this country has recognized the right of our Government to withhold war supplies from contending armies when she laid an embargo upon munitions of war when the feeble armies of Mexico were arrayed against each other; nevertheless, she now offers her limitless supplies to the mightiest armies that were ever assembled in battle array; and Whereas the United States is disloyal to itself when it promotes a foreign war by furnishing the sinews of war while the nation is prostrate commercially and waiting for the dawn of peace to return to her former prosperity and achievements: Therefore be it Resolved, That we, American citizens residing in Philadelphia, in mass meeting assembled, hereby declare that it is the imperative duty of the Congress of the United States to pass the necessary law forthwith that will enable the President of the United States to lay an embargo upon all contraband of war, saving and excepting foodstuffs alone, and thereby withdraw from the contending powers all aid and assistance of this republic; and be it further Resolved, That we are in strict sympathy with the Christian endeavor of this Nation to appeal to the God of Nations that peace may come, and reject as hypocrisy and national sacrilege the commercial spirit of the country that is answering our supplications for peace by sending the instruments of destruction and death to the serried armies arrayed in struggle through the empires of Europe; and be it further Resolved, That we, citizens of the United States, who have contributed our full share to American peace, American Christianity, and American civilization, call upon all Americans to join with us in enforcing that strict American neutrality that will give aid and comfort to one of the contending powers and that will withhold American resources from promoting destruction and slaughter among the friendly nations of Europe: And be it further Resolved, That we fully indo: se the steps taken by the National GermanAmerican Alliance toward securing the enactment of a law that will place all such power in the hands of the President of the United States: And be it further Resolved, That we request all the branches of the National German-American Alliance to pass similar resolutions and to send copies to the main office of the National German-American Alliance, 419 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa., and also to send copies of the resolutions passed by them to their representatives in Congress in the House of Representatives and Senate to the President, the Vice President, and to the Secretary of State of the United States, at Washington, D. C. These resolutions were adopted at a meeting of delegates of societies and associations representing 41,726 American citizens residing at Philadelphia, Pa. The delegates also indorsed the following letter to the President of the United States: THE PRESIDENT, PHILADELPHIA, PA., December 9, 1914. The White House, Washington, D. C. MR. PRESIDENT: I am a native American of German descent and wish to ask a few pointed questions. Since America is made up of races and nationalities coming from all the countries engaged in the present war, the feelings of none of these various races should be injured by the stand taken by the present administration and, because of the above-mentioned reason, the proclaimed neutrality should be observed most strictly in deed and action. In this regard, why is it that the United States found it just and fair to place an embargo upon all munitions of war during the Mexican crisis as long as it was intended to maintain a neutral position; and now, why, after having proclaimed the strictest neutrality in the present European situation, are munitions of war of every possible kind permitted to leave our shores? This failure to keep strict neutrality (neutrality does not mean help to both sides, but help to neither side) is so much more emphasized by the fact that only one of the parties engaged in the present struggle can obtain these munitions of war. Our failure in keeping strict neutrality becomes thereby an unfriendly if not inimical act against one particular nation. There will be some, Mr. President, who will assert that this is business, and that the United States in this crisis needs all the business it can get to make up for other trade losses in this war. To them I would say that every dollar thus gained will carry with it the tears of a ruined fatherless family, and the blood of some brave man, regardless of his nationality. Every gun, bullet, and article of war leaving this country means more misery for the wives, mothers, and children of Europe. Does such a policy coincide with one which proclaims a day of prayer, asking God in His might to stop this slaughter, while with the same hands we pocket dollars covered with the blood of those who fell by our help? You can not imagine, Mr. President, with what chagrin and bitterness it fills the Americans of German descent to see the resources of this great country, which they have helped to build up and in whose battles they have given their lifeblood, placed at the disposal of enemies who, with their overwhelming forces, have proclaimed it their avowed purpose to crush our ancestral home. If it was in order to prevent trade losses that the United States did not put an embargo on munitions of war at this time, why is it, then, that our Government allowed the violation of neutral shipping to the detriment of our legitimate trade contrary to the declaration of London and contrary to England's statement at the beginning of the war, that she would uphold said declaration? Without the slightest protest from our side, in which we would have been fully justified, England crippled neutral shipping until-to insure their own imports-different countries were forced to put an embargo on the exportation of numerous articles imported from America, thus destroying our only present means of trade with Germany and Austria. Our failure to protect neutral shipping has been the greatest violation of our own trade interests and does it not mean further the taking of a partisan position in this conflict? What can the United States gain by allowing the declaration of London to be ignored? What are the reasons for having done so? Can not the United States force their rights to be respected by economic pressure, since the belligerents are dependent on America for supplies? As each and every case shall now be judged, not by any fixed code, such as the declaration of London, but by the somewhat indefinite international law, Albion will do exactly what she has done in the Civil War, namely, she will continuously violate the right of neutral shipping and hold off all legal decisions until the end of the present conflict. Meanwhile England will have her own way, we will lose much of our legiti mate trade, and the harm done, not only to us but also to other nations concerned, will be beyond repair. Witness America's merchant marine. Since the attitude of our Government enables England to cut off against our own interests, even the most necessary supplies from the civil population of certain countries, do you not think. Mr. President, that thereby the many assertions that the neutrality of the United States is only a matter of form and does not exist are justified? Most respectfully, yours, C. J. HEXAMER, President of the National German-American Alliance. Mr. BARTHOLDT. I also have some resolutions passed at a mass meeting of 2,000 American citizens, held on Sunday, December 6, 1914, at Aurora, Ill., under the auspices of the Red Cross Society. (The resolutions referred to are as follows:) Resolved, That we earnestly protest against the sale of contraband of war, such as guns, ammunition, and submarines, to the nations at present involved in war, since by so doing we are violating the spirit of neutrality and helping to prolong the war. Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the President of the United States and to each of the two Houses of Congress, urging them at the earliest opportunity to put a stop to the sale of munitions of war. J. A. SCHOEBERLEIN. M. E. PLAIN, CHRIS H. SCHOPBACH, PETER KLEIN, OTTO RIENACKER, Committee of Red Cross Society. Mr. BARTHOLDT. I also have some resolutions passed at a meeting of 5,000 representatives of German-American citizens at Cincinnati, Ohio, held on Sunday, October 11, 1914, at the Music Hall, Cincinnati. (The resolutions referred to are as follows:) We, citizens of the United States of German birth or descent, hereby resolve that Whereas great nations of Europe and Asia are to-day engaged in a titanic struggle for supremacy on the field of battle; and Whereas the President of the United States has called upon the people of his country to obsrve strictest neutrality during this great crisis, and has further urged upon the people of the United States to do their full share toward alleviating the suffering and distress incident to this great conflict: Be it Resolved, That we indorse and support the policy of neutrality adopted by the United States, and that we will do all in our power to observe its spirit and refrain from any acts of commission or omission in order that we may remain at peace and friendship with the nations of the world-and to that end we condemn the attitude of certain American newspapers which, influenced by false and mendacious reports emanating from English, French, and Russian sources and transmitted to this country by English-controlled cables and wireless stations, attempt to create a dangerous prejudice and hostile. attitude among the American people against the fatherland-all to the purpose of wrecking the spirit of neutrality and fair play which our Government has enjoined upon all law-abiding, patriotic citizens, irrespective of nationality. We deplore these nefarious attempts to poison the minds of our fellow citizens against the German nations now engaged in a life-and-death struggle for existence. Germany has enjoyed peace, happiness, and prosperity for 44 years, and has been among the foremost leaders in the world of art, science, industry, and commerce, and stands to-day in the very forefront of civilization. We therefore solemnly protest against the violation of the spirit of neutrality and fair play on the part of a biased or subsidized press. And whereas this great war has brought sorrow, distress, and untold suffering to thousands and hundreds of thousands of homes throughout the German lands from the Baltic to the Balkans: Be it further Resolved, That we, as American citizens, in mass meeting assembled, pledge our deep sympathy, aid, and assistance to the widows and orphans, to the wounded and dying, by contributing of our means toward alleviating the suffering of those upon whom the hand of misfortune and distress has fallen, and we ask that all of our fellow citizens who sympathize with the people of the Fatherland contribute toward the relief fund now being raised for that purpose. Let us thus help the land of our fathers in this day of storm and stress! Mr. BARTHOLDT. I also have some resolutions adopted by the German-Irish demonstration held in Chicago on December 1, 1914. (The resolutions referred to are as follows:) Whereas 10 nations of the Old World are now waging the greatest war of mankind and are not only exhausting their own resources, but are also drawing immense supplies and munitions of war from the United States of America; and Whereas the armament and supplies that are being furnished by the United States tend to increase the military conflagration of Europe, multiply the loss of life, already appalling, and cause the destruction of property that is bringing nations to desolation, and assist in the prolongation and continuance of this most dreadful of all wars; and Whereas we, as a people, from our hearts lift our voices in prayer for peace while, as a nation, we are aiding war, and augmenting the struggle by empty. ing our private arsenals and war supplies onto the battlefields of Europe; and Whereas our Government has proclaimed strict neutrality and thereby given assurance to American citizens of all races and to the belligerent powers themselves, that we shall give aid and support to none, and by our acts, as a nation break no bonds of friendship with the countries with whom we are at peace, and create no discord among our citizens here by discriminating against their fatherland; yet when we offer military supplies and equipments to any nations that choose to buy, it is with the full knowledge that for 100 years England, by her sumpremacy of the sea, is the master of all contrabrand goods transported by water, and that she and her friends alone can benefit by our unholy commerce, and we are pursuing that course which diverges so far from strict neutrality that we injure our ancient friends— Germany and Austria-by every means in our power, excepting the employment of armed force alone; and Whereas this country has recognized the right of our Government to withhold war supplies from contending armies when she laid an embargo upon munitions of war when the feeble armies of Mexico were arrayed against each other, nevertheless she now offers her limitless supplies to the mightiest armies that were ever assembled in battle array; and Whereas the United States is disloyal to itself when it promotes a foreign war by furnishing the sinews of war, while the Nation is prostrate com EXPORTATION OF MUNITIONS OF WAR. mercially and waiting for the dawn of peace to return to her former pros perity and achievements: Therefore be it Resolved, That we, this German-Irish demonstration of Chicago, in mass meeting assembled, hereby declare that it is the imperative duty of the Congress of the United States to pass the necessary law forthwith that will enable the President of the United States to lay an embargo upon all contraband of war, saving and excepting foodstuffs alone, and thereby withdraw from the contending powers all aid and assistance of this Republic; be it further Resolved, That we are in strict sympathy with the Christian endeavor of this Nation to appeal to the God of Nations that peace may come and reject as hypocrisy and national sacrilege the commercial spirit of the country that is answering our supplications for peace by sending the instruments of destruction and death to the serried armies arrayed in struggle through the Empires of Europe; and be it further Resolved, That we, as joint races, who have sought the shelter of the American flag and have contributed our full share to American peace, American Chris tianity, and American civilization, that we call upon all Americans to join with us in enforcing that strict American neutrality that will give aid and comfort to none of the contending powers and that will withhold American resources from promoting destruction and slaughter among the friendly nations of Europe; and be it further Resolved, That the chairman of this meeting appoint a legislative committee to look toward the enactment of that law that will place all such power in the hands of our President and that a copy of these resolutions be placed by this committee so appointed in the hands of eyery Congressman, Senator, and Cabinet officer of these United States. Mr. BARTHOLDT. I also have two letters which I wish to put into the record, Mr. Chairman, the first from Dr. D. H. Steffens, pastor of the Martini Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Baltimore, Md., dated December 21, 1914, and also a letter from Prof. William A. Schaper, of the department of political science of the University of Minnesota, dated December 15, 1914. (The letters referred to are as follows:) Hon. RICHARD BARTHOLDT, BALTIMORE, MD., December 21, 1914. House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: Martini Evangelical Lutheran Church, in response to the appeal of President Woodrow Wilson, kept Sunday, October 4, as a day of prayer for peace. Having offered our prayers and supplications to God, as we trust, praying "earnestly" (James 5:17), we believe it to be our duty to avoid everything which may prevent and to do everything which may assist a speedy To fail in this because of a possible loss of business answer to our prayers. or profit would show a shameful lack of earnestness and sincerity, all the more reprehensible because no human weakness, but only a lack of "earnestness," hinders and prevents God's answers to prayer. We have therefore been much troubled by newspaper reports stating that the business men of our country are selling munitions of war to the belligerent nations of Europe. We are at a loss to reconcile this with our having prayed for the speedy coming of peace and keenly feel that the Christian people of this country, by permitting this to be done without protest, are inviting an unanswerable charge of hypocrisy. We are therefore very grateful to you for having brought this matter to the attention of Congress by introducing a bill prohibiting the sale and export of munitions of war to all of the belligerent nations. We are persuaded that every church of this country which earnestly prayed for peace must indorse and supWe can not be satisfied with a port the position you ask Congress to take. mere perfunctory obedience to the letter of international laws based upon May I therefore respectfully suggest that you send a copy of your bill to every church congregation of this country, with the request that it promptly |