Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 206, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 September 1914 — ALLIES DISFAVOR AMERICAN PLANS [ARTICLE]

ALLIES DISFAVOR AMERICAN PLANS

Great Britain, France and Russia Do Not Oppose Building Merchant Marine, Neutral Powers

.Washington, Aug. 31.-4»reat Britain, France and Russia have advised the United States informally that they would look with disfavor on the purchase by this government of German merchant steamers to relieve conditions growing out of the European war and also to build up an American merchant marine. While not conveyed in any diplomatic correspondence their position rfeveitheless has been vigorously set forth to President Wilson and Secretary Bryan.

France took the initiative, Ambassador Jusserand carrying his objections to President Wilson in his recent interview at the white house. George Bahkmeteff, the Russian ambassador, conferred with the British and French ambassadors today and later saw Secretary Bryan. All three diplomats held that there was no precedent in international law for the purchase by *a neutral nation of any great quantity of ships from a belligerent. The chief objection urged is that the transaction would establish a large gold credit in the hands of Germany, The diplomats point out that the German steamship companies are closely affiliated with the German government and to buy their ships now marooned in American ports would be tantamount to furnisriing Germany with a large loan. Should the American government, however, distribute its purchases of ships equally among the belligerent nations, they do not believe there would be any objection from any quarter. Considerable difficulty would arise, however, it is asserted, if, for instance the crew of a German vessel purchased by the United States were maintained on it, as the English and French governments would not allow the nationals of any belligerent to land from a neutral ship at their port.