present time. Our present Navy kept up to date for coast defenses would then be sufficient.

Alliances with other nations will never do. We have done well by never entering into entangling alliances; our interests will, at times, conflict with those of any eventual allies, and if we should rely on an ally for our protection we would be such ally's subject and no free nation.

And as the streets and highways on land must be free to all peaceful trade and traffic, so must the world's highways-the seasbe free to the peaceful trade of all nations, and no nation is more interested and more destined to make them so than the United States of America.

Permit me to submit the following suggestions in pursuance to the diverse bills pending before Congress in regard to neutrality legislation:

In order to bring successful and immediate relief to the oppressed commercial situation in the United States, we would suggest that an appropriate commerce relief resolution shall be passed by Congress, having for its purpose an inquiry as to how our trade with all European countries, Germany and Austria included, can best be reestablished; by demanding that the neutral trade be strictly upheld and that England be not allowed to prevent us from sending articles that are not of direct use in war to Italy, Holland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden, Switzerland, the Balkan States, or any other country that desires to buy.

By England's continuously crippling our shipments to Italy, Holland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, these countries were forced by England, in order to insure their own imports, to put an embargo on the reexportation of numerous articles imported from America.

I want to emphatically point out that for this reason even England's agreement to no longer harass our shipments to Italy, Holland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, will be of no value unless these countries have lifted the embargo on the reexportation of about four hundred articles mostly imported from the United States; for the only present means of our trading with Germany and Austria during the war is through these countries.

It is our undeniable right to ship to and through neutral countries any and all articles not pertaining directly to use in war, which result could easily be obtained as in the case of cotton by putting economic pressure on England, since England and France are dependent upon us for supplies.

Thus we could keep as customers two countries with a population of 120,000,000 Germans and Austrians, with whom we are at peace, and with whom we have an established right to trade in goods not absolute contraband of war.

We would suggest that the commerce relief desired could be obtained in the following manner: Through Congress, by naming a commission representing the chief trade and export interests of our country

I. Which commission, in collaboration with the State Department, shall, in defense of our trading rights as a neutral power, decide the necessary steps to be taken in order to (a) protect from interference our shipments of articles not absolute contraband of war in neutral bottoms to a neutral port. (Easily obtainable, as in the case of cot

ton, since the belligerents are dependent on the United States for supplies). (b) Induce Italy, Holland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden to lift the embargo-forced upon them by England-on the reexportation of American articles not absolute contraband of war. (Easily obtainable after paragraph (a) having been in force.)

II. Which commission shall immediately establish the character of the various articles not absolute contraband of war with the intimation that it should, instead of relying upon the somewhat indefinite international law, take as basis the declaration of London, which England has promised to uphold at the beginning of the war, and which the Government, without reason and against our commercial interests, has allowed to be abrogated up to date; then with the further intimation that foodstuffs, as well as raw materials (copper, iron, leather, etc.) and other articles of mostly peaceful character, can not be regarded as absolute contraband of war, since, if one takes a stand that every article which has any use in war must be considered as contraband, all known articles would be contraband of war, as nearly every known article has its use in war. These are, however, matters for future consideration. What should be stopped at once is the exportation of arms and ammunition from this country, which stands for justice and fair play. The National German-American Alliance has passed the following resolutions in every one of its State branches in every State of the Union:

RESOLUTIONS CALLING UPON CONGRESS TO ENACT A LAW TO LAY AN EMBARGO UPON ALL CONTRABAND OF WAR, EXCEPTING FOODSTUFFS ALONE, TO ENFORCE AMERICAN NEUTRALITY, AND THEREBY WITHDRAW FROM THE CONTENDING POWERS ALL AID AND ASSISTANCE OF THIS REPUBLIC WHICH WILL PROLONG DESTRUCTION AND SLAUGHTER AMONG THE FRIENDLY NATIONS OF EUROPE.

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 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, 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 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 we fully indorse the steps taken by the National German-American 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 organizations regardless of nationality 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 the 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.

The State organizations indorse the above resolutions, as well as the following letter of Dr. C. J. Hexamer, president of the National German-American Alliance, to the President of the United States: PHILADELPHIA, PA., December 9, 1914.

THE PRESIDent,

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 legitimate 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,

(Signed)

C. J. HEXAMER, President of the National German-American Alliance. For the sake of the fair name of the United States, whose flag should ever stand for the highest ideals of humanitarianism, I beg of you, Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, to report the resolution before you favorably. I implore you to do your share to stop this nefarious traffic in instruments of destruction. A traffic that not only prolongs the horrible war in Europe, but, thereby, also causes untold misery here at home. Every dollar gained by a few manufacturers is tainted with the blood of the slain. Every one of these dollars will stink to heaven, for upon them rest the curses of the widows and orphans.

Mr. BARTHOLDT. Mr. Chairman, I take great pleasure in introducing these speakers, and I will merely mention their names, but I will say for Dr. Hexamer that he speaks for 2,000,000 American citizens, as president of the organization that I have mentioned.

I will now introduce Mr. Horace L. Brand, of Chicago, the publisher of one of the great daily papers there.

STATEMENT OF MR. HORACE L. BRAND, CHAIRMAN OF THE GERMAN-IRISH CENTRAL LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE, OF CHICAGO, ILL.

Mr. BRAND. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, I want to say at the very beginning that I was born in Chicago, educated in the United States, and have never attended any school outside of the United States. Consequently, I believe, inasmuch as my college education was derived in Boston, that I have American thought and not anti-American thought or feeling. I am the chairman of the central legislative committee, and this was created in Chicago. This movement to prohibit, or to lay an embargo uponor to give the President the right to lay an embargo upon the exportation of munitions of war was started in Chicago. It was started by citizens, the majority of whom in the beginning were of German extraction, or perhaps of German birth. We are perfectly frank in admitting that, but we feel that while it is perfectly justifiable for every citizen of German extraction to have German sympathy for Germany, and that it is also perfectly justifiable for citizens of English extraction to have sympathy for England, it would not be justifiable for an American citizen to do so, to the injury of his own country-of our country. Consequently, we feel very firm in our convictions that this movement is not for the injury of the United States, but rather for the best interest of the United States. From its beginning it was, as I stated before, an organization of German origin more or less, but it has now grown to such proportions that not only societies which are affiliated with the National German-American Alliance, of which Dr. Hexamar is president, but also very many other societies not affiliated with this alliance have passed similar resolutions indorsing this movement; societies whose membership consists of men of Irish extraction, of Swedish extraction, of no particular extraction, of Americans as pure blooded as the President of the United States himself or any other American. Men of all descents have come to favor this movement, so it is no longer one that could be called a German-American movement, an Irish-American movement, but a movement favored by all classes in the United States. It would not be stating too much to say that today, although it is only a few months old, fully one-half of the people of the United States side with this endeavor. Originally this movement was started upon broad ground, and we have constantly adhered to those broad grounds which underlie the demand to prohibit the exportation of war ammunition, weapons, and munitions of war.

We believe that we could adhere to the proclamation of neutrality as proclaimed by George Washington, the first President of the United States. I have carefully read that proclamation, and it states very clearly that the disposition of the American States should be friendly and impartial toward all countries. At that time the United States was at peace, but some other countries, some European countries, were at war. That is the condition to-day, and therefore the disposition of the United States ought to be friendly and impartial toward all belligerents. That is our stand, and we not only believe in it but we proclaim it by printing the entire proclamation on all letterheads that we send out.