The Washington times., 1916-03-02

Playing for time. the House ComHit-
tee on Foreign Affairs postponed It's
meeting seheduled for IL o'clock to dis
cuss the international situation. and
VIII convene at 8 this afternoon.
simultaneously with the postponement
OF the meeting. word came from the
White House that the President would
not agreo to any compromise -resolu-
tion.
Members Of the committee again will
be told by Chairman Flood that the
President wants clear-cut vote by
Conkress on the principle of the Mo.
Lsrnore resolution whether americans
shsil be warned to refrain from travel
on armed merchant ships.
The indecision of yesterday prevailed
again in the House today.
Leaders were once more constantly
in1 conference.
''sddltiohaI information, to lay before
the Foreign Affairs Committee this
This Information was obtained from
the President and the state Department
and relatea to the submarine contro-
Meanwhile, however, there Is no
change In the desire of the big ma
joEity Of the committee to delay action
Hope For Way Out.
The secret hope of Democrats and
Republicans alike is that a way may
be found to avoid report OF any resolu-
ton whatsoever.
Final action by the Foreign Affairs
Committee this afternoon is doubtful.
Unless the President brings the great.
egt pressure to bear, the committet
will merely discuss the situation, and
will refuse to vote on any resolution
There was never so concerted move
risnt at the Capitol to delay consider
alton on q matter upon which the Pres
iu IN dsVeioped today that Republican
members from the various States have
been In informal conferences on IN
unusual situation presented IN tn'
House. The result Of these conferences
mat the Republicans will not suppor
any resolution carrying only a olanke
Endorsement of the Presidents foreigr
THAT a large Republican vote will b
cast for a resolution advising Amer
cans not TO travel on belligerent shlps
but this vote will be reduced IL TN
resolution also contains dlsay0wal o. o;
tfns Government of responsibility 10
the safety OF Americans who do traVe
rbe yirtuaf ultimatum from the Whit
House that no resolution OF % cSnndeno, n,
that he desires q straight-out vote oi
the principle OF the McLemore resolu
tion. added to the uncertainty today
House action.
Won't Be Unanimous, Fear.
House leaders are fearful the Presi
aent. will not get anything like unani
NOUS support: that the opposition viii
ha 40 stronE as to hurt the Presiden
abroad even IL the McLemore resolution
10 defeated.
Accordingly the plan In Congress a
this hour Is one Of delay.
Chairman Flood. of the Foreign Al
fairs Committee. was delegated by nj
So the White House this morning an
act Traditional information" to lay be
fore the committee.
ii was admitted by one Of the member
that additional Information 10 hos s os
sired so much as a postponement OF &c
Prosident Wilson is said to be NOR
dStermined than ever to force a SHOW
down on Capitol Hill; The fTesiden aI.ir
clined to continue negotiations Wit
0eymaAy so long as the impression pre-
vaiis that Congress is not behind him.
Wilson Wouldn't Listen.
Thea President would not listen to an
suEsd stion that vote Of confidence .
passsh without referring to the prir
oiple> Of whether warning shall be issue
20 Americans not to travel on belliger
sut Irnerchantmen.
Cbnsressman Cantrill sugsested to tn
White House the adoPten OF such
rSeoiution. Mr.. Cantrill, a member {
tiIsiRules Committee, was told that M
Wilson does not want an empty resC
luton; that he desires a IecoTd yoIe o
the principle involved In the McLemo'
When the Foreign Affairs Committt
adjourned late yesterday put Iour men
bef1 were understood to ne squarely
syf8pathy with the Presidents unpr'
cederSted demand. Other members wei
NfHt OF all for delay, for postponihg IA
thin from day to day.
pfhA fear was expressed by maJorl'
members OF the Foreign Affairs Con
nAittee that a vote In the House miEi
raveaI such a division of sentiment tn;
G6rmany would assume the Presidel
did not have Congress behind him al
J.