The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-06-07
viii Compel Convention to De-
eide on Embargo on Arms
Resolution. 4,
PLANK IS REALLY ALRIGHT
Other Embarrassing Questions
to Be Put Up to Platform
Committee by Delegations.
BY JUDSoN C. WELLIvER.

BY JUDSON G. WELLIVER.
CHICAGO, June 1.-The La Fol-
,lette delegations from Wisconsin
and North Dakota, something less
than thirty votes in strength, but
full of zeal for producing trouble,
are going to compel the conven-
ton to decide on some highly en-
barrassing propositions. These in
clude: .
A resolution, which will be offer
ed to the platform committee de-
claring for an embargo on exports
Of arms and war munitions.
A resolution, also, declaring in
the most sweeping way for Gov
eminent manufacture Of all war
supplies.
A group Of social welfare planks
Of the most advanced sort.
The embargo plank is by far the
most embarrassing to the rank and
file of Republicans. 1t is under
stood that Senator La Toilette is
preparing to make himself the
leader Of pacifist wing in the Re-
publican party, that he has drafted
some planks on these subjects, and
that the embargo plank is so air.
tight that a row of brass buttons
for military uniform couldn't be
shot through it with a whole bat
tory of Busy Berthas."
BIG FIGHT DUE.
Now all this wouldn't be particularly
troublesome IL il were certain that no.
body except the La Toilette forces
would support this Kind of declaration.
but there is to be big fight stirred up.
The resolutions committee will un-
questionably reject the embargo plank.
but there will be a minority report. The
embargo people claim they have num-
Der Of supporters on the resolutions
very respectable showing in the COM
'mittee, but force a division in 4 great
many State delegations when the roll
call is taken on the floor Of the con-
Senator La Toilette Is known to be
intensely hostile to Roosevelt. and IL
there were serious prospect OF the
nomination of Roosevelt, II is believed
the Senator would come here. go on the
floor of the convention with a proxy. and
force an issue that would be most un-
comfortable.
OF course, some Of the leaders point
out, It would be possible to suppress
such a demonstration by adopting q
rule forbidding resolutions to be brought
before the convention on minority re-
ports. unless some fixed number OF
members Of the resolutions committee
united in the minority report.
Would Look Like Gag.
But that would look like gag rule
of the rawest sort. and would probably
do as much damage as to have the dis
cussion out fully and freely. Mr.. La
Toilette has said in recent weeks that
he would never support Roosevelt, but
rather. should Roosevelt he the Re-
publican nominee, would stump for
This would seemingly be almost equiv
alent to counting political ruin, for WIS.,
consin's Germans are intensely antago'
nlstic to Wilson.
But La Toilette has never been much
on eXpedency. He has way OF doing
as he pleases, and an unexampled ca
paclty for making trouble.
The presentation of an embargo plank
In the Republican convention would de-
monstrate how uncontrolled and uncon'
trollable is the present Republican party
For once. the Democratic convention Of
this year will be the trained, disciplined
nj
through a cooked-up program just al
the leadership requires.
The Wilson administration has beer
opposed to anything like arms ant
munitions embargo and that Will be the
policy at st. Louis. II anybody tries Il
start trouble along such lines the
power of the Wilson machine will SLUG
him out Of the place.