The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-23
Tells Congress Germany
Must Let Americans
Alone on High Seas.
INSISTS THIS ISSUE
MUST BE FORCED
Berlin Reply. Expected in
i8 Hours. Will Say As.
sllranceS Stand.

sou has cmphatically rejected proposals
from members Of his party IN Congress
,h.,h would relieve him of the RESPONSE
b.lity uf forcing AN issue with Germany
oyer the new Berlin submarine declara-
,un. Such proposals took the form of
suggested legislation prohibiting Ameri-
can citizens from travelling on armed
merchantmen.
The sugg, stions were laid before the
President 10y chairmen stone and Flood
OF the senate and iious" Foreign NJ
fa-~ comuiitces respectively aud by
Majority Leader Kern of the senate at
tho conference held at the White House
last night
Tine President rejected the proposals
without Qualification and tn, conferees
came away from the White House with
th, understanding that it WAS Mr. Will
sons firm intention to insist upon
dean cut settlement Of the submarine
,.,>" on the basis Of the present law and
facts in the case.
Memb, RS of Congress who to-day
heard some OF the details OF the confer
enrc declared that tn. President IL pre-
pared to insist upon the withdrawal by
Gs srriany Of her declaration of intention
20 torpedo without warning all armed
enemy merchantmen after March I.
Must Respect Americans.
Tic President was described as de-
ternined that Germany must acknowl-
edee the right of American citizens to
travel In safety on the high seas. whether
the ships they used be unarmed or armed
for defence, belligerent or neutral.
The President is said to have grown
impatient over the delay that has oc-
CURED in the submarine negotiations
and to have intimated to members Of
Congress that the lives Of American
citizens have already too long been put
in jeopardy.
Democrats in the Senate were under
the distinct impression that the Presi
dent had just about made up his mind
that the time for parleying was over
and that there must he a definite under
standing between Germany and the
United States In the near future II
friendly relations are to continue
notwithstanding the extraordinary
secrecy which marked last nights con-
ference some Of the details OF what took
'la'" leaked out at the Capitol. While
'"rrc Is still disposition in most
quarters to believe the president will not
'"iHN' w larry oH any TedSOnADIe dis
cussion with Germany in regard TO the
questions AT issue AN air Of pessimism
WIS more generally noticeable in Con-
cr'ss circles than at any other time since
III" difficulty with Germany became
acute
May POstpOn~ Action.
That Germany will seek to discuss the
>I,Hunrue issue ~ greater length and
m'N p-haIss go 80 far as to agree vol
jniarl'y 10 "a posiponement Of her new
I"'.i'ator was strongly intimated in
'.ln'ntidl adviccS which reached
Was neton to-day from Berlin.
TIE conierenc. at the White House
lhsl night, it WAS learned. was initiated
b. Chairman Stone OF the Senate For
cru Relations Committee. When the
PRESIDENT was informed Of the Senator's
request for an appointment and learned
mat the Senator wished to discuss with
nn' the German situation he at once
3'' ,ded 10 call in Senators Kern and
Flood
iHr three Democrats called together.
- hhd with them a copy OF Joint
res" n "u prohibiting American citizens
N"n travelling on belligerent liners. 1t
S"s armed that the visitors laid the
resolution before the Presiden, with the
sNIg'-'l"n that It's passage or the pas
StSr OF a similar one would relieve the
Administration Of the embarrassment OF
Ia lag inc position that merchant yes-
~" the right to arm and Of in
sf'h- on this right in face of the new
"''hNi drrree and in face of the argu-
n''''' io the contrary which Secretary
lh's'hs liid before the Entente Powers.
T." President. II is said, emphatically
rejected ih" suggestion. declaring that
the r'~Sdge of such resolution would
10 contrary to the intentions OF the
A. n'stration. The conferees are said
:" have been taken hack BY the heat
o. It',d hy the President.
hr>nW Hacked Like BiIl.
Senator Gore introduced "A resolution
ny - uaracter on January 3. follow
'r ., conference which he had that day
as secretary Bryan. II prohibited