The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-03-04

WILSON WOULD. SNOW TEuToNIC
F0WER6 a UNIFIED COUNTRY
BEHIND HIS POLiCY.

49,. ..ft =. ~. vi 4 . fs.t.
Prestdeat Writes - Chairman OF Rules
C0nmistec Asking Easly Vote on
Resoauaon With Regard e. Travel on
A1med Merclhantmep -Beaieyes !That
AstAer Ghoua4 b Handled By Pros
tans-Wants sappors q House in
sshaaaxlne ConG<oversy.
r. WIAshinston. Feb. 2a.--Preside ent
Wilson decided today that he can not
Ieroc,ssd with the German submarine
|I,egctiations while dissension in con,
trea wsakens his position before the
world. % he called for a showdown
lon the pending proposals to warn
|Amssicans OK the merchant ships OF
Fths European belligsrsnts armed for
bt1efeuse.
Naking clear that he conalders tho
lprsqkisnt apd not congress charged
with the conduet Of foreign relations
|of The Unitsd States. he wrote q let
ter y, Representative. Pou, acting
chairman Of the house rules commit
|tee. ssktng him 20 provide pArliamen-
lltary meanofor bringing the agitation
out into the open on the floor of the
house for full discussion and a vote,
Later he summoned Senator Stone and
Representative Flood, chairman OF
the foreign affairs COMMITTED, and
Senator Kern. majority leader. in the
senate. for . conference at the White
House tomorrow morning at which no
win request that one OF the various
|pendins resolutions be acted upon In
each house. j.
Adrninistration leaders. working
stesdily for the last week strengthen
ing their lines and counting on the
Fsnpport Of the Republicans. now are
|so sass ct their position that they plan
Ito end al agitation with q vote OF
|confldshce in the president.
The presidents letter to Mr.. pou,
lthe signal that the administration was
ready to give Germany a demonstra-
|tton Of unity, follows: rA
my Dear Mr.. Pou:
~Inasmuch as learn that Mr..
Henry the chairman OF the commit
tee on rules. is absent In Texas, take
the liberty Of calling your attention,
as ranking member Of the commit
ltee. TO q matter Of grave concern to
the country which can. I believe. be
handled under the rules of the house
only BY that committee.
''The report that there are divided
counseas in congress In regard to the
foreign policy Of the government !,
being made industrious use OF ir
tforeign capitals. believe that re.
port to be false. but SO long as 1t /.
anywhere credited IL can not fail tc
do the greatest harm and expose tho
country to the most serious risks. ]
therefore feel justified In asking tha,
your committee will permit me to urge
an early vote upon the resolution.
with regard to travel on armed nler.
chantmen which have recently been SC
much talked about. in order that ther.
may be afforded an Immediate oppor.
tunity for full public discussion ant
action upon them and that oil doubt.
and conjectures may b. y it ava,
and our foreign relations once moro
cleared Of damaging misunderstand
ings.
"The matter Is Of SO grave import
ance and lies 90 clearly within tn,
field OF executive initiative that ven
turs TO hope that your committee will
not think that am taking unwarrant
ed liberty In making this suggestion a.
to the business of the house and / yer,
earnestly commend it to your consii
eration.
Cordially and sincerely yours.
.,,. Woodrow Wilson,"
This course was decided on afte,
today's cabinet meeting, at which 1
was discussed, and after. a week ;,
Fauiet steady work at the capitol
Prompt action is desired, particular,