The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-24
Mann's Course in Opposition to Presidents Request Is
 Believed Indefensible
CERTAIN DEMOCRATS
 IN TRYING POSITION
Three From Mississippi Who Voted Against President Will Probably Have Hard Time Explain
 ing to Constituents
By c. F. STEWART

Washington, April 29-(Special) That the republican leaders blundered in attempting to play politics with so appeal to Congress for it's support of his Mexican policy is the opinion, not only of democrats but of many repub- lioans also, in Washington.
 The Presidents action in issuing or ders to Admiral Fletcher in advance of final action by the Congress to take Vera Cruz and thereby forestall Huerta in his effort and last opportunity to get outside succor in the shape of arms and ammunition aroused wave of patriot ism all over the country, and com pletely covered those who had the temerity to oppose him in the House and Senate with confusion Opposition to the President in Congress will re- suit only in those who opposed him retiring from public life. is the opinion here. for the temper of the American people when il comes to d question of upholding the national honor will not stand for quibbling.
 Even the friends of Minority Leader James R. Mann of Illinois are amazed that he took the position he did with reference to the House resolution. Mr. Mann sneelingly declared If the in- eidents which the President narrated to us had occurred with England or Ger many or France or any other great power there would be no resolution like this pending here now. But be- cause Mexico is weak. we think we have the moral right to declare prac- 1ical war against her in the high hope that success is easily accomplished.
 Confronted by 1898 Record
 But on MT. Mann has been drawn his record in 1S9S The foxy republican leader who is rarely ever caught nap ping, is confronted with the record of his utterances when President McKin ley asked Congress to back him up in his policy toward Spain, itself not rated as one of the great powers On that occa sion Mr. Mann, then serving his first term in Congress, said:
 MT. Speaker; It would be great pleasure to my heart ii 1 could sub scribe to the idea suggested by the chairman of the connnittee that this is a measure of peace. l have been con- sstently in favor of this country pre- serving peace. if peace could be pre-
 
 now it means war. Believing that. still when the administration. which has the confidence of the people, asks for money supplies, though it may mean war, l say heartily, that the people are in favor of the appropriation. War is not only coming, Mir Speaker but war now exists between the two countries. Not open war. not declared war. we know but the real, tie insidious first entrance upon war has already been made. And this country upon the sug gestion of the administration, is now justified in spending it's money as nec- essary, it's blood as it may be called upon for the purpose of not commence ing war. but for the purpose, in war, of upho1ding the honor and dignity of the country, and of bringing about peace as soon as possible"
 Most Serious Bunder of Career
 That Mann has been guilty of his most serious blunder during his entire career in Congress, and that he lost 10 the republicans the material ad- vantage they would have gotten out of united and patriotic support of the President is the firm belief of many of the members of the minority lead CTS own party. Had MT Mann decided to support the resolution there would have been very few republican votes against it in the House. Only 32 fol- lowed his lead as it was, but with his support the resolution would have