Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-02
TIDE OF REBELLION
CONTINUED from Page One)

some way 10 keep the question OUT Oh
Congress altogether. Tonight when the
White House was seeking some of the
leaders. notably Chairman Flood. they
were not to be found at their places of
residence or their usual places of assem-
bly,.
Assurances Unsatisfactory
AS if to emphasize that the President
absolutely refuses to continue the ne
gctiations with Germany until the at
titude Of Congress is settled, II was
made clear that the United States does
not consider the latest assurances from
Count Won Bernstcrff, German ambassa-
dor. as broad or as satisfactory as
those originally given. No further step
will be taken. however, while the Presi-
dent waits on Congress. Meanwhile the
pending Lusitania agreement will not be
finally accepted.
The whole situation in Congress, con-
fused by the Presidents call yesterday
for vote. was thrown into a snarl today
when at an early morning conference the
President outlined his position to Chair
fairs committees, Senate Leader Kern.
Speaker Clark, House Leader Kitchin and
Acting Chairman Pou OF the House rules
committee.
IS soon as the delegation returned to
the capitol with news of what the Presi-
dent had said, it was apparent that some
OF the leaders who had secretly support
ed the anti-administration forces and un-
dec administration pressure had pocketed
resolutions in committee when there was
danger Of their being passed. realized
thu. the President and his friends had
suddenly gained the whip hand.
1t was plain that they at once de-
voted their efforts to attempts to avoid
a defeat at the hands of the admins
tration formed by side-racking the
confidence for the President in which
they could join without compromis-
ing their position in support Of warn
ing Americans to avoid beliigerent
armed ships.
Virtually in control of the machinery
Of the House these leaders held the
situation in deadlock today, while
they conferred and sought for some
proposal which would satisfy the
President and still save their positions.
the maneuvering closely, saw the OBJ
ject, and tonight from the White House
came the word that there should be no
compromise. Congress will meet to-
morrow facing a clearcut issue with
the President.
Resistance Political?
The Presidents friends openly
is purely political. They make it I'M
clear that he does not in
tend to let the question be passed over
by a compromise and risk being en-
barrassed later in his negotiations
with Germany by having the agitation
come up again to weaken his. hand.
They say he intends to have the ques-
ton removed once and for all from
the field Of possibilities and pointed
out that the extent Of the discussion
the President faced may be judged
from the fact that the chairman of the
foreign affairs committee in both
branches of Congress and even Speak
er Clark were to say the least luke
warm in their support of him.
The administration whips in their
canvass have satisfied themselves that
majority of the rank and file of the
Democrats and many of the Republic
cans will stand by the President if
they can succeed in forcing the ques-
ton across the opposition of the lead
ers who control the machinery and to
the point of a vote.
The possibility that the effort to
bxng overlooked by the Presidents
friends, although they are confident his
course will prevail. They say. how
ever. that if the opposition in Con-
gress should avoid the issue the Presi-
dent would not hesitate to take his
case to the country.
No Doubts in Senate
So far as the Senate is concerned.
the administration has no doubts. Even
the proponents of armed ships reso-
lutions admit that a majority on that
side Of the capitol stands ready to sup
port the President. No effort to bring
about a vote was made today, however,
and it was indicated that action by
the House probably would be awaited.
After many informal conferences up
on the return of the leaders from the
White House, the House foreign affairs
committee held a two-hour session
late in the afternoon and adjourned
until 1890 tomorrow morning without
taking any action. Mr.. Flood made no
announcement but one of the commit
teemen said later that the chairman
intended to ask the President to re-
ceive the full committee at the White
House tomorrow. 1t was apparent dur
ing the committee meeting that the
element was anxious to
prevent the reporting of any resolu-
ton. Chairman Flood went to the
meeting with at least three resolu-
lions bearing upon the subject, but he
offered none Of them
All of the members except two Demo-
Gratis we're present and discussion was
INDUCED in freely by Democrats and Re-.
publicans alike. Some members said they
thought they should have more detailed
informa ton regarding the International
situation than had been given them. They
said they wanted a clearer exposition Of
the Presidents position, all information
that Secretary Lansing could give them
and whatever documents the executive
had at hand bearing upon the
submarine controversy, particularly pho
tographic copies of the alleged British