Interview in New York, July 6, 1915

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JANE ADDAMS SAYS JAGOW SEES RIGHTS OF U.S. IN WAR TRADE

Peace Advocate Returns Home After Tour of Capitals of Warring Nations.

NEW YORK, July 6

Miss Jane Addams of Chicago returned from Europe yesterday, the capitals of which she has been visiting in the interest of peace. She headed a delegation on this mission, which represented the women of the world. The delegation was appointed at the recent International Congress of Women at The Hague.

In an interview following her welcome by many peace workers, Miss Addams disclosed an attitude on the part of the German officialdom in regard to the sale by the United States to the Allies of war munitions, which is the first recognition ever given to the rights of this country as recently defined by the President.

Minister of Foreign Relations von Jagow told Miss Addams, she said, that he believed America was within its rights in shipping war munitions to the Allies, "but that Americans must realize that such shipments must create a strong anti-American feeling in Germany." [page 2]

There is a feeling in France against America as well as in Germany, Miss Addams declared. There many resent our failure to protest against the invasion of Belgium.

Another observation by Miss Addams on the subject of "war babies," brings new light on this subject.

Many cases of "war babies," she says, are cases of blackmail.

"These stories," she asserted, "are greatly exaggerated. In many cases it is nothing more nor less than blackmail. Whenever some poor country girl gets into trouble the blame invariably is laid upon the soldiery."

"We first went to England," she said, "and we were treated cordially by Sir Edward Grey and Premier Asquith.

"We were told, however, at the Foreign Office, that the war would have to go on to a finish, and any departure from that policy would look like weakening. [page 3]

"No belligerent power could sue for peace, we were told, but neutral nations might submit a number of propositions, and something might be found that could be used as a beginning for negotiations.

"There was one particular feature of our travels that stood out with great prominence. That was the division of the people of all the warring countries into two parties -- military and civil.

"The military party wishes the war to go on, while the civil party believes the war is taking away all civil rights. In Germany those of the civil party hold that the invasion of Belgium was not a military necessity. We must look to the people of civil parties for the beginning of the negotiations for peace."