The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-12
SIRE. WOOD AND PAGE
Will QUIT CONGRESS
Feel That They Are Out OF Tune With
policy of President and the Prob
able. Action Of Democratic
Party ON Preparedness
Question

washington, March 11.--Represen-
tHtive Isaac r.. Sherwood, Of Toledo,
Ohio, a Democrat and noted Civil
War general, has Joined Representa-
tive Robert N. Page, of North Caro-
lin.., in announcing that he would not
stand for reelection. Statements
from both Congressman explaining
their position follow. General Sher-
wood said.
ut Isl evident to my mind that the
st Louis Convention will adopt a
platform that would carry the country
into miiitism. with the biggest army
and navy in the world. ! am opposed
to Tnilitarisrn and have been since
the Civil War. have made speeches.
in every Congress against II.
II think it Is due the Democrats in
my district TO have a candidate In
harmony with the platform. some
candidate who believes In military
propaganda that is being exploited
And therefore. not to ernbarrass the
party, I thought l would decline to
be q candidate.
This Is the frst time In the his
tory of the country when any point
ieai party and any President have
advocated. in time OF profound peace.
the biggest army and navy In the
world. I think II is departure from
the policy founded by the fathers and
step In the direction Of the military
autocracy. arm not standing for 1t.
Time TO Retire.
II understood my speech In the
House against militarisrn on January
first was not approved by the Presi-
dent, and that speech represented my
views OF fifty years standing. l think
i should retire to private life where ]
will feel free to exercise my judy
snent.
II voted to tabls the McLemore
resolution against INV better tudg-
1nent. so that ] will not be accused
of any disloyaity 10 the President OF
the party. Since they made this
party question, voted as loyal mem
Der OF the Democrats party on this
resolution. though my convictions are
strong the other way.
II would vote II had the opportu:
nifty to warn all American citizens of
armed merchantmen. The talk OF
international law Is a farce as APP
piled TO the. present situation. There
is no international law touching sub
marines. It Is a new instrument of
warfare. We are building submarines
now and I suppose we Will use them
II we have war. as England and Ger
many are using them. 4
Amy merchantmen armed with
gam Is in realty an armed cruiser so
far as the submarine IL concerned.
and this was recognized and acknowi-
edged In the note OF the President OF
January 5 to the allied governments.
Congressman Pages Statement.
Representative Robert ~. Page
made the following statement;
MY decision not to be a candidate
fer denomination was not prompted
because of any indifference of opan-j
ion that Nigh have existed between
Mr. Wilson and myself over the warn
ing to American citizens, or any other
question, but because I WAS forced TO
the conclusion that considerable
number of my constituents were not
willing TO accord me personal tudg-
nent.
II supported the rule for consid
GRAFTON OF the McLemore resolution
today for the reason that It was per-
fee;ly fair and not subject 10 the
criticism OF closing debate. voted
TO table the McLemore resolution for
two reasons: First, because in its
preamble II contained matter that
should have been acted on In the
House: and, second. because tabling
che McLemore resolution restored Dip
iornafic negotiations to the Executive.
where. in nay judgment, 1t belonged,
II will say, however. that II the
concrete question OF warning Amert-
can citizens against taking passage on
armed vessels of the belligerent ma
.iens came up ! would unhesitstingiy
support the resolution. though / hope
this question VIII remain whore II be
iongs-with the Executive branch of
the government.
MY hope In that Americans VIII not
take passage on armed ships as l DO
not believe that an American citizen
should insist upon the exercise of any
. bstract right that will Jeopard'ze tho
pence OF the country"