The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-25


Washington. April 22.-The senate
at 2.40 a m, by a vote of AZ to 35
rejected the substitute Mexican res
olution proposed by Senator Lodge.
IL would have based the "justifica-
ton" Of the use OF force In Mexico
on the general conditions there in
stead OF upon the Tampico incident
alone.
An amendment proposed by Sena-
tor oallinger. "justifying the presi-
dent In the use of force to protect
American citizens In Mexico" as well
as to demand reparation for the Tam
pico incident. was defeated. AZ to 40.
An amendment by Senator La Fol-
lstte to provide that after the "su b.
tugation" OF Mexico. the United
Statesc should retire from that coun-
try. leaving Mexico and every por-
ton OF II to it's own people," was
voted down. ~ to 80.
on the passage OF the administration
Mexican resolution before morning
the senate at midnight was in the
midst Of grave and impassioned de-
bate. Ultimate passage Of the reso-
luton an reported by the foreign
relations committee was generally
conceded. The house had receded
until 10 o'clock In the morning to
await the senate's action.
Meagre reports of the engager mt
at Vera Crus had filtered to the cap
itol when the senate resumed it's ses-
son at 8 o'cIock. The four American
dead In Vera Cruz. the 20 wounded
and the 900 Mexicans reported killed
IN the taking OF the city. became the
text Of the talk mentioned In hushed
voices. and greeted with q solemn
silence throughout the senate cham
ber. packed to sufYocation.
As the shuttle OF debate was
thrown back and forth full quorum
OF tho house OF representatives
crowded the rear OF the senate hall
Secretary Bryan himself. often re-
ferred to In debate. Secretary Garri-
son. Secretary Daniels. Postmaster
General Burleson. Secretary McAdoo
and Secretary Tumulty sat about the
chamber. They listened eagerly and
held whispered conference as the dis
cussion progressed. The diplomatic
gallery was filled with members of
tho foreign corps with Ambassador
Spring-Rice OF Great Britain at their
head. As the hours dragged along
and the news from Vera Cruz spread
through Washington. throngs OF fash
ionably gowned women and specta-
tors OF every walk OF life packed the
galleries and crowded the corridors
OF the senate wing of the capitol.
The Republican side OF the senate,
led by Senator Root. demanded that
the Justification" proposed i'm the
resolution for movement i'm force
against Mexico be founded not on
tho Tampico incident but on the long
series OF outrages against American
citizens and their property. including
The outrages In northern Mexico.
whero constitutionalists are in con-
troll.
Senators Reed and James vigorously
defended tho committee resolution,
declaring the Insult OF the flag at
Tampico justified all that he resoil-
tion provided for.
As tho night wore on. and senator
after senator demanded an opportu-
nifty TO be heard. the atmosphere In
the chamber grew moro and more
tense. Senator Fall made n lengthy
plea for campaign that would COW
or the length and breath Of Mexico.
Opening the debate on the resolu-
tion in the senate. Senator Lodge de-
clared:
"In a situation OF high seriousness
such as now confronts congress u Is
well To remember the responsibility of
the senate. Neither peace nor war can
be made without the consent OF the
senate. The power to declare war
rests under the constitution with the
congress.
When the president lays an inter
national controversy before congress
no takes the last step that precedes
war" continued Senator Lodge. THE
president might have taken further
steps but he has come To the body
which alone has power to declare war.
I think he has done well. With con-
gress i'm session 10 was right that no