The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1916-03-02
PRESIDENT CALLS FOR VERDICT
he DESIRES FREE HAND AND
ALL HINDRANCES REMOVED


many's latest assurances on the con-
duct Of submarine warfare, presented
Monday by count Won Bernstorff TO
secretary of state, Lansing, are not
30 broad as the United States de
sires, but il is indicated no further
steps will be taken by this govern
mcnt until the administration is GER
tain its action will not be embarrass-
cd in congress.
The assurances reiterated in the lat
est communication arc regarded as not
so complete a those originally given
as the result of the Lusitania nego-
tiations and it was indicated that the
pending Lusitania agreement would
not be finally accepted as satisfactory
at this time.
House leaders today drafted for con-
sideration of the house a measure pro-
posing that congress express its con-
iidcnce in the presidents handling Of
the armed merchantmen controversy
and recognize that it is not matter
of legislative but of executive con
cern.
This action is contemplated as a re-
suit of an announcement Tuesday by
president Wilson that American nego-
tiations with foreign powers, notably
regarding submarine warfare, are be-
ing seriously handicapped by the inn
preston which has become prevalent
abroad that the president is without
the backing of even his own party in
congress.
He urged therefore, that the pend
ing resolutions regarding warning all
American citizens from armed mer-
chantmen be allowed to come to
vote in order that the issue might be
determined. II is said German papers
have printed accounts of the near
revolt Of faction of the Democrats
in the house last week, and that the
attitude of official Germany at once
stiffened.
Indications are now that the con-
test in the house between the admin
istration supporters and those who
favor warning to Americans to keep
away from armed merchantmen will
he very close. All talk of a heavy
majority in favor of the latter ele-
ment has been dissipated.
Regarding submarine warfare, off
cials were represented as feeling that
/ IL the German government took the
position that it could nc dify or change
the first assurances at will, there was
nothing TO prevent an attempt TO
change the latest assurances, and they
do not intend To agree with such pro-
cedure.
! IT was said that the next step would
be taken as soon as the situation in
| congress was clarified Officials eX-
pect the administration will find itself
in n position TO continue the negotla-
tions within the next few days.
Chairman Flood of the foreign af.
fairs committee sought to bring Dem
ocrats committee sought to bring the
Democrats in line on the vote of con-
| iidence measure, to be reported out OF
his committee, and also sought iner-
| fectually 10 get assurances Of Repub-
! lican cooperation.
The house foreign affairs committee
got ready for a meeting at 1 o'clock
at which it was the plan to canvass
the situation and refer the drafting
o. the resolution to subcommittee.
II was indicated that most Of the Re-
publicans would vote against a warn
ing resolution.
Secretary lansing today cabled an
inquiry to ambassador Gerard at Ber-
lin, asking by what ship the appen-
dices to the German memorandum
notifying this government that armed
vessels would be sunk without warn
ing beginning March 1, had been dis
patched and when they might he ex-
pected to arrive here.
The appendices are said to reveal
the existence Of secret orders Of the
British admiralty instructing British
merchantmen to attack enemy sub
| m rinas