The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-04-21
LODGE URGES ARMED
ACTION, IN SENATE
Massachusetts Senator De-
cIares National Honor Re-
quires Punishment.
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among srmy and navy men that events
are marching swiftly into war.
The scenes in the Senate today took
one back to April, 1898, when war with
Spain impended. lust as then, the all
was tense with excitement. Everybody
sensed war, though there was then. as
now, much talk Of peace.
Long before the session opened To-Day,
the galleries were filled. Large num-
bers of women, Handsomely Sowned,
were in the crowds. Many Of the visit
ing D. A. r. members were spectators.
Nearly every Senator was T. his seat
when the session opened.
Form of Resolution.
The question confronting the Senate
was not so much passage Of a resoiu-
ton as it was of its proper form.
Word came from the White House
that the President wanted nothing done
which would be construed as a declara-
ton of war. He was willing. he ad-
vised Senators, to assent to the resolu-
ton as amended by the Foreign Rela-
lions Committee last night. This reso-
luton, instead of referring by name
to Huerta, as does the House resolu-
ton, provides:
That the President is justified In
the employment OF the armed forces
of the United States to enforce his
demand for unequiyocal amends for
certain affronts and indignities COM
mitted against the United states Tsse tho
United States disclaims any fostil-
ity to the Mexican. people or any
purpose to make war upon Mexico.
This is the form in which the resolu-
ton is expected to pass the Senate.
The House will accept 1t.
The Lodge Amendment.
Many Senators, however. were not
pleased with this language. and want
ed recognition of the outrages on Amer
leans in Mexico and a declaration for
armed intervention Senator Lodge
presented an amendment which virtual
ly authorized armed Intervention.
The Lodge amendment, to the pre-
amble Of the committee resolution, con-
tanned the following:
That the state OF unrestrained
violence and anarchy which exist In
Mexico, the numerous unchecked
and unpunIshed murders of .Amert-
can citizens and the spoliation Of
their property in that country, the
impossibility of securing protection
or redress by diplomatic methods in
the absence of lawful or effective
authority, the inability of Mexico to
discharge its international obliga-
tons, the unprovoked insults and
indigniues inflicted upon the flag
and the uniform of the United
States by the armed forces in &C.
cupation of large parts Of the Mex
:can territory have become tntol-
cradle.
That the self-respect and dignity
of the United States and the duty
TO protect its citizens and its inter-
national rights require that such a
course be followed in Mexico by our
Government as 60 compel respect
and observance of its rights.
Lodge Opens Debate.
Lodge opened the Senate debate.
''In a situation of the highest serious
ness. such as now confronts the Con-
gress, it is well to remember that the
responsibility of the Senate is greater
than any other branch of the Govern
ment," he said. He defined the re.
spective powers Of the President and
Congress, stating that Congress only
can declare war.
When the President comes to Con-
gress and lays before 1t controversy
| with a foreign nation" he added, he
comes to the branch Of the Government
in whose hands rest peace or war.
takes the last step that precedes peace
or war.
He has come to US. think that he
has a right to do SO. With Congress In
session, II would have been unwise for
him to have proceeded further without
the sanction Of Congress"
Lodge asserted that IT took Congress
longer to pass the Spanish war declara-
| ton than was planned in the present
case.
Senator La Toilette refreshed sena-
torial members by stating that the
Spanish war resolution was before Con-
gress many days, with extensive debate
1t was seven days between the re-
ceipt of the message from President
Mckinley and the adoption of the
resolution" Lodge stated.
During Lodges speech. Ambassador
Jusserrand, of France, and a hall
dozen other diplomats took seats in the
diplomatic gallery. Fully 40 House
members stood in a fringe about the
Senate chamber.
Senator La Toilette said the Spanish
war was declared IN the face OF op.
position of practically tine entire DEM
ocratic membership of the House and
Senate.
Senator Lewis insisted that House
Democrats did not oppose the Spanish
war resolution.
Garry Intervention.
Leaving the Spanish war incident
Senator Lodge continued:
Whether we Justify or authorize
the President to use the forces OF the
United States in Mexico, the result Is
the same" he said, .'in this case,
take il, there will be no declaration
IF war. We recognize no government
against which we can declare war.
These resolutions could not carry
! formerly declared war, but they dc
carry an armed Intervention. The con-
sequences are in many respects pre-
cisely the same. But they preseht q
| task less capable Of speedy complexion
and may bring long period OF exer'
else Of police power, involving vast ex
pense. great loss Of life, perhaps, anC
only after months or possibly years the
satisfaction that we had brought peac,
and order.
This is the elimination OF events al
Tampico." he continued. There Is nc
doubt i'll my mind, however. that the
action constituted an insult to the Amer
lean flag and the American uniform.
Seeks Atonement.
NO nation which desires to maintain