South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-03-04
PRESIDENT GIVEN
FURTHER POWERS
Bill RaiIrOaded Through Two
Houses Will Enable Him to
Prevent Shipment of Sup
plies to BeIIigerentS.

WASHINGTON, March f. - Rail-
roaded through in the closing hours
of the session a bill giving the presi-
dent power to prevent shipment Of
any supplies, contraband or other
wise, to any belligerent nation. and
giving him particular power to pre-
vent the ships OF belligerent nations
waters was passed by both houses of
congress early this morning.
The bill prepared by Counsellor
Lansing of the state department and
urged by Sec'y Bryan. was first pass
ed by the house. sent to the senate.
form, returned to the house where
the amendments were accepted and
sent to the president for signature
within 20 hours. 1t was passed virtu-
ally without debate in the house. A
number of senator's thought the pow
er it conferred on the president too
great, however, and went to the white
house TO talk the matter over with
him. The amendments were the re
suit of this conference which lasted
until nearly midnight.
Inc resolution was uTOpptu OOWll
into congress late yesterday after
noon without warning and without
explanation save that it was intended
TO enable the government to enforce
more strictly its duties as a neutral.
The resolution as adopted was as fol-
lows:
Resolved. by the senate and house
of the United States of American, in
congress assembled:
Of 0n nos 90
of this resolution and during the eX-
istence of a war to which the United
States is not a party; and in order 10
prevent the neutrality of the United
States from being violated by the use
OF its territory. its ports. or its terri
torial waters as the base of opera
tions for the armed forces of bel
ligerent contrary to the obligations
imposed by the law of nations, the
treaties to which the United States is
a party, or contrary to the statutes of
the United States, the president be
and he is hereby authorized and en-
powered TO direct the collectors Of
customs under the jurisdiction of the
United States to withhold clearance
of any vessel, American or foreign,
which he has reasonable cause to be-
lieve to be about TO carry fuel, arms.
ammunition, men or supplies. to any
warship, or tender, or supply ship of
belligerent nation in violation OF
the obligations of the United States
as a neutral nation.
I'm case any such vessel of Amer
lean register or license shall depart
or attempt to depart from the juris-
dictiOn of the United States without
clearance for any OF the purposes
above set forth, the owner or master
or person or persons having charge
/ or command of such vessel shall Sc
verally be liable to a fine of not less
/ than $4,000 nor more than $40, 600,
| or TO Imprisonment not to exceed
/ two years or both; and in addition
such vessel shall be forfeited to the
United States.
THAT the president of the United
| States be and ne is hereby authorized
and empowered to employ such parts
OF the land or naval forces of the
United States as shall be necessary tC
carry out the purposes of this resOlu-
/ ton.
THAT the provisions of this resOlu-
ton shall be deemed TO extend 10 al
lands and waters. continental or in
sular, within the Jurisdiction of the
United States.