Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-02-25
Presidents Confidence

)
The President expressed hope that
explanation of the declared intentions
of the Central European Powers to
sink all armed merchant ships without
warning would put a different aspect
on a situation which now seemed to
present insuperable obstacles.
I'VE have had no reason to question
their good faith or their fidelity to
their promises in the past" he added,
land I, for one, feel confident that we
shall have none in the future
Answer to Senator Stone
The letter was in answer to one written
late this afternoon by Senator Stone out
lining the situation existing at the CAPT
toll, where since yesterday morning per-
sistent demands had been made for some
action which might lessen the possibility
of war between the United States and
Germany. The Presidents statement
will be repeated tomorrow morning to
Speaker Clark. Representative kitchin,
majority leader, and Rep. Flood, chair
man of the House foreign affairs commit
tee, who late today asked for an en-
gagement in order to explain the posi-
ton in which the House found itself and
asked the President for a statement of
the administration views.
Senator Stones Letter
Senator Stones letter to the President
follows:
Dear Mr.. President:
'Since Senator Kern, Mr.. Flood and l
talked with you on Monday evening l am
more troubled than l have been for many
a day. l have not felt authorized to re-
peat our conversation, but l have at
tempted, in response to numerous in
quiries from my colleagues. to state to
them, within the confidence that they
should observe, my general understand
ing of your attitude. I have stated my
understanding of your attitude to be sub
stantially as follows:
"That while you would deeply regret
the rejection by Great Britain of MI
Lansings proposal for the disarmament
of merchant vessels of the Allies with the
understanding that Germany and her al
lies would not fire upon merchant snip
if she hauled to when summoned, not
attempting to escape. and that the Ger
man warships would only exercise the ad-
mitted right of visitation and capture and
would not destroy the captured ship ex-
assured the safety of passengers and
crew. you were of the opinion that II
Great Britain and her allies rejected the
proposal and insisted upon arming her
merchant ships she would be within her
rights under international law Also that
YOU would feel disposed to allow armed
vessels to be cleared from our ports. also
that YOU are not favorably disposed to
the idea Of this government taking any
definite step toward preventing American
citizens from embarking upon armed
merchant vessels. Furthermore, that you
would consider it your duty. II German
warship should fire upon an armed mer-
chant vessel of the enemy upon which
American citizens were passengers, to
hold Germany to strict account.
Numerous members of the Senate
and the House have called to discuss
this subject with me. / have felt that
the members Of the two houses who
are to deal with this grave question
were entitled to know the situation
we are confronting as I understand it
to be. think should say to You that
the members Of both houses feel deep
~ concerned and disturbed by what
they read and hear. 1 have heard Of
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