South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-02-24
SAYS He Sees No Reasons to
Change Attitude or to Take
Up Dispute With Con-
greSS at Present.
WILL INSIST ON RIGHT
OF AMERICANS TO SEAS
Takes Personal Charge of
Negotiations and Calls Off
All But Engagement
to Meet Cabinet.
International News Service 4:

International News Service
WASHINGTON. Feb. 24.-Pres't
Wilson today defied congress to in
terfere in the international relations
of the United States. He declined
to receive Rep. Flood, chairman of
the house foreign affairs committee,
who was commissioned by a number
Of his colleagues 10 tell the presi-
dent that if he persisted in his de-
mands that Germany refrain from
attacking armed merchant vessels
without warning, congress would
pass a resolution demanding that
passports be refused Americans who
would not agree TO remain off such
vessels.
The president told Rep Flood
over the telephone that he saw no
reason to change his announced at
utude and that he must decline to
further discuss the submarine ques-
ton at this time.
simultaneously with this announce
ment Sec'y to the Pres't Tumulty
cancelled all Of the presidents en-
gagements for today and tomorrow
with the exception of tomorrow's
cabinet meeting. The president then
lef. the white house and walked
leisurely down town and looked
| over the exhibits Of the safety first
\ exhibit in progress at the new Ma
! tional museum under the auspices
Of the governments departments.
President in Charge.
The president has taken personal
! charge of the negotiations with Ger
many. Until a definite settlement is
reached, or a break comes, officials
said he will remain in closest touch
with Sec'y of State Lansing. It is
understood TO be the intention OF
the president TO bring the negotia-
! tons to a head without any unnec-
/ essary delay. The German reply to
! Sec'y Lansing's informal communi-
cation of a week ago, in which Ger
many was asked whether the new
declaration that commencing March
! l all armed merchantmen will be
sunk without warning does not
abridge the promises previously
made by Germany TO this govern
ment will be made to Sec'y Lansing
late today or tomorrow.
1t may be made the medium OF
the president demanding a speedy
reply to the main points at issue.
inasmuch as it is stated to be a
question in turn as to just what this
government considers defensive
armament for merchant craft. In
replying to this query, the president
may. officials say, ask that Germany
make prominent reply 10 the orig
inal question. This easily could be
done as the administration has re-
fused TO accept the promises made
in the Lusitania case which were
! offered to completely dispose of the
! submarine question.
The president, it is stated in
q hite house official circles. has DO
come convinced that the German
foreign office is seeking to take m
due advantage of the efforts made by
the United States 10 bring about
inodus viVendi in the armed mere
chant question and resents it. Critl-
cism that he has changed front on
the issue the president is cony need
has been fostered by German dIpIo-
matte sources in this country.
And in consequence officials say
he is determined 10 get unmistak-
sble assurances that international
law will be observed by the central
powers even 1T the risk Of war. For
officials no longer hold 70 the pleas
ant fiction that diplomatic relations
can be broken off and the matter
permitted 10 rest there.
Break to Mean War.
Germany viii not accept a diplo-
matte break, officials here have
have learned. without forcing a
dec laration Of war. and IL is this
knowledge that has brought about
the open crit ism OF the presidents
police in congress The southern
and middle west senator's and repre-
sentatives fatty insist that their con-
stituents are utterly opposed to any
+ policy that viii cause a break with
/ Germany over the submarine issue.
only the coming Of night prevent
( ed action on the submarine question
/ in the house yesterday. T. the ses-
sion had lasted Is minutes longer
there is little doubt that efforts
| v ould have been made 10 force
action on a resolution warning
Americans 70 keep of armed ships.
7 Leader Kitchin and Chairman o.
/ the Foreign Relations Committee
Flood were convinced that the votes
W ere available then 20 have forced
I through such measure. Today They
were hopeful that they had the sit
uation in hand. They were working