The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-02-27
Is
AGAIN AF"HELM

AGAIN Al HELM
Continued from page L.
questions at this time are irrelevant.
The department believes these only
can be discussed when they are not
bound up in moot issues as these e
questions are now bound up in the
whole controversy owe Submarine
warfare. 1t was emphasized that I'M
til the Lusitania case and all the H.
sues which now reyolve about it, are
acceptably cleared up, there can be
no discussion formally or informally
of the single point regarding 'arma-
meut on merchantmen.
The Lid on Congress-
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.-Senate
administration leaders late this art
ernoon, switched their plans for mex
Monday, after they had decided earlier
In the day to permit a test vote on
the broad question Of support OF the
president in all International affairs.
The lid on discussion Of submarine
issue will be tighter than yer in the
senate as we'll as in the house.
The change was attributed to 1nfor-
nation given to Senator Stone, chair
man Of the foreign relations commit
tee regarding the text of a reply re-
ceived from one of the entente powers
to the armed merchantmen note dis
patched by Secretary Lansing.
It was likewise limited perhaps po-
litical strategy was responsible for
calling off a scheme advanced by
Senator Lewis, democratic whip, to in
troduce and obtain passage of a reso-
luton endorsing the president on
his general submarine stand. Demo-
cratic leaders it was said realized
they might not be able to obtain as
many republican votes on such a par.
tisan resolution as on a straight vote
on the question Of supporting Wilson
in this armed merchantmen stand.
They did not desire to show any weak
ness Of support behind the executive.
The determination to take a vote on
the Jones and Gore resolutions Mon
day was abandoned. To prevent pos
sible action, the senate recessed in
stead of adjourning.
Administration leaders renewed
their advice to other members to
minimize discussion of the resolution.
Chairman Stone, nevertheless, termed
the senate state of mind as "uneer
tain"
In the house, leaders declared both
resolutions and discussion would be
tabooed and Representatives FLOOD
and Glass, friendly to the president,
who had prepared respectively a COM
promise and an endorsement resolu-
ton dropped them. Leader Kitchen
was in accord with all these plans
Whether these conservative steps
were taken because the reply was IN
friendly and the administration be-
lieves further unity or
whether it is friendly n all factions
have agreed the crisis is past, o a
half dozen outside those directly in
charge knew.
When it was learned of h change
IN the program, Senator Gore pre-
pared a statement asserting the maln
object of his resolution-warning-
had been accomplished by the discus
sion already obtained. Representative
Glass countered with a statement that
irretrievablc harm had been done by
congressional discussion because Ger
many had become convinced TINS
country would not back its president,.
mo resolution seeking to discredls
the presidents management OF foreign
relations will get a majority OF votes
in the house, said Glass. Il would
hate to believe that congress is IN
favor of any such detestable capitula
zion. involving abject REIMBURSEMENT
OF cherished national rights and &
brutal reproach to the presideL.. 1
that is really the issue it should no
be postponed another day. Infinite
harm is said to have ensuGd from tn
teutonic misconception of this ma
tons attitude. 1t is not difficult t.
perceive that even sraver conse
ouence might result from the suppo
sition that congress has q grippin'
anxiety to ~repudiate President WI
SON"
Representative McLemore Of Texas
author of a warning resolution, tc
night declared he did not intend to re
fleet upon the president.
But as he called on congress to re
verse itself on the Panama tolls ques
ton" said McLemore, that he nigh
better work out his foreign policy,
felt that adoption of my resolutio
would serve a good and useful pull
pose"
McLemore said be had receive
many "warlikc letters from politica
preachers and angelicized college PR
fessors." advocating immediate wa
against Germany.
"When cattle of this iii o an
scream we it IS time for true Amer
cans 10 give serious and calm con
s]iderations to what madmen say.
said McLemore.
Calls il Ancient War.
BERLIN (yia wireless to Sayville
Feb. 26.-In a statement dealin
with the German American contrc
yersy over armed merchantmen, til
semi-oficiaI news agency today d,
clared:
The armament of merchantme
was introduced into international la
during times when the high seas .wer
infested with priVateeres and whe
during wartimes. ships were fui