The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-02
Seven Democrats Flop to the
Support of the Re-
publicanS.
MOTION TO RECOMMIT
STILL UNDER DEBATE
Measure Is Saved From De-
feat by Democratic
Filibuster.

WAsHINGToS, Feb. 1.-The expected
revolt In the Democratic ranks against
the Presidents ship purchase bill came
late this afternoon. and tonight !:
seemed certain that the measure can
not pass in the form Mr.. Wilson has
Insisted upon.
The only course that will save the
bill is the adoption OF several amend
ments that are favored by Republican
proGressives. especially one safe
guarding the United States against
foreign complications through pur-
chase OF the German and Austrian
vessels laid up in United States por's.
Il was intlmated tonight that the
President will now make II clear that
he viii not .attempt to purchase any
ships which would involve this coun.
try In international complications. This
apparently means that the Government
viii not buy the German informed ships,
which are supposed to be the only ones
available and which were the vessels
that Secretary McAdoo had in mind
when he first urged the purchase bill.
III. propo.ed Changes.
The supporters of sIbs bill met to-
night to consider amendments which
might bring over enough Republican
Senators to overcome the detection u
the seven Democrats. Here are the
changes being considered.
To include provision that no
'belligcrent ships shall be pur-
chased, and thus avoid the threat
encd danger of foreign complica-
tons such as were indicated in Sir
Edward Grey's note to Mr.. Bryan.
To provide for the sale of the
Government ships at the close OF
the European war when normal
conditions are restored.
The failure Of the ADMINISTRATOR
campaign for the passage OF the ship
purchase bill was the hardest blow
President Wilson has yet received
from the Senate.
1t indicates the growing resentment
among many members OF Congress
against Executive domination and
demonstrates what has been suspected
from the beginning. that a majority
or Inf btluONIdNs III the DtUdlt
faint hearted in their support OF this
measure.
Democrats FIlibuster.
SO complete was the turnover in the
Senate against the Presidents meas
ure that the Administration leaders
were forced to a filibuster to prevent
IT'S defeat before adjournment to-day.
Thus there was presented the curl
Gus spectacle OF the Administration
Democrats, who have been abusin <
the Republicans for a week or more
on account of their long distance ora
tory and time killing tactics, resort
ing to the same eXpedients to save the
day for the President.
Tonight the strongest kind OF pres
sure Ia being eNcrted by the Administra-
ton to close up the Democratic ranks
and save the President from defeat. Mr..
Wilson has been frankly told. however,
that he will have to make sacrifices.
The failure OF the Administration :
fight came when seven Democratic Sena-
tors Joined the Republicans, and by a
vote Of ~ 10 ~ went on record in
favor OF recommit.in the ship bill 10
the Senate Committee on Commerce.
This was acknowledged az a test vote
Republican Senator voted with the DEM
ocrats TO table the motlon--La Toilette
OF Wisconsin.
The Democratic senators who took a
stand against the Administration In this
matter were senators Clarke of Ar.
kansas, who moved to recOmmit; Cam
den Of kentucky, UGOrman Of New
York, Bankhead of Alabama. Hitchcock
al Nebraska, Hardwlck OF Georgia and
Vsrdaman Of Mississippi.
Call for Caucus.
The motion was still pending wher
the Senate adjourned for the Pight, and
the Democratic leaders hastily issued q
call for n caucus for o'clock tomorrow
morning in an effort to reach some
agreement among themselves.
Hurry calls have been sent out fol-
all absent Senators, but, allowing foI
pairs, 1t will be impossible for the Demo
Gratis to make "A gain of more than one
Provided the recaicitrants OF to-day
stand Arm tomorrow the Admnistra'
ton will still be one short OF the neces
sary number TO save the bill.
II the bill should be continued before
the Senate by the defeat OF Senator
ClGrke's motion, 1t will be weakened bS
the events of to-day. 1t will have tC
wear the handicap hcnCeforward o
being repudiated publicly by the chair