The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-03-03

sign Policy Of This Government Is
'Reing Made industrious Use Of In
Foreign Capitals.
Washington. March 1.-President
Wilson startled congress last evening
by calling for showdown on his sub
marine policy. The president wrote
10 the acting chairman of the rules
committee of the house urging an
Sarly vote on the resolutions now
Uending which warn Americans from
4raveling on armed merchant vessels.
The president In this letter declares
&aat "the report that there are dlvid-
I'd counsels in congress in regard to
sehe foreign policy Of the government
% being made Industrious use of in
&oreign capitals" He expresses the
0Aiief that the report is false, and
ADDS that so long as II is anywhere
esEodited it can not fail to do the great
ost harm and expose the country to
Ehe most serious risks"
The president thus has thrown
NAown every barrier against the public
discussion of foreign affairs in con-
lRress, and has in fact invited a frank
and full exchange of views on the ad-
lAinistration's record. The challenge
Atom the president will mark the
sNDening of debate in congress,
which is likely to be one Of the most
Sspirited that has taken place in years.
Confident of Victory.
What the outcome will be is now,
~ course. n matter of mere specula-
&sOn, as many unexpected events may
Intervene to influence the sentiment
OF congress- before the resolution is
RrOught to a vote. At present, though,
dhe administration is confident Of vic
tory In both houses of congress, and
n seems fairly certain to unbiased
observers that those wno are opposing
(the administration will not be able to
control a majority of votes in the sem
ate. even Is they succeed in pushing
- resolution through the house.
sEpeaker Clark and Leader KitChin
DSedicted last week that tae house
szould vote tvs 10 one in favor of such
@sgislation.
In throwing down the challenge to
asongress President Wilson was ac.
saEated by the following considera-
4exons:
astrength on this issue was inevitable
aHooner or later, the president select
ssd the present as the most opportune
WHINE. He apparently felt that the ad-
sAninistrations strength In congress on
eHhis Issue would be greater now than
soa the verge OF a possible crisis.
Second charged with responsibility
s90r the conduct of foreign affairs, the
Nresident desired an immediate deci.
SEi1n as to whether he was to be left
astth free nand in this matter, or
uwhether his efforts were to be handi.
saapped Ivy further interference on the
Rart of congress.
Third. the president decided that
'Sn immediate challenge was the only
us1y 10 end the impression which the
Bsriin authorities have obtained that
IN lacks the support OF the country
<an ths conduct OF his submarine nego-
aelnliUns.
compllcates Situation.
The president has unwittingly com.
aWaiGated the situation by appealing TO
11hs rules committee for action. Tlis
Snommittee can not act In the way the
sgResldent desires without going over
Ahe head OF the committee on foreign
saEfairs OF the house, before which the
EaaaN .taen q
psnding. The presidents ignoring of
aAe foreign affairs committee already
a,as aroused resentment among the
lHaembers OF that committee,
The presidents letter follows:
MY dear MI Pou.
1nhsmuch as I learn that Mr. Henry,
Atise chairman Of the committee on rules,
q absent In Texas | take the liberty pf
sailing your attention, as ranking mem
iber OF tho committee. To matter OF
grave concern TO the country. which can,
y believe. be handled. under the rules
sof the house, only by that committee.
The report that there are divided coun-
uscls in Congress In regard to the foreign
NpHitcy Of the government ~ being made
Aadustrious use of In foreign capitals |
Ooiieve that report to be false, but 80
beng na II is anywhere credited n cannot
MN 10 do the greatest harm and expose
~Anr country 10 the most serious risks
Nherefore feel justified In asking that
gDur committee viii permit me TO urge
aAA early vote upon the resolutions with
U1gnTd to travel on armed merchantmen
Nalich have recently been 40 much talked
-1sssut. In order that there may be ar
HhSrned an immediate opportunity for full
UuaAtc discussion and action upon them
md that all doubts and coniectures may
0s swept away and our foreign relations
-gnce more cleared OF damaging mlsun-
1erNtaniings.
The matter Is OF 80 grave Importance
sAnd HES 80 clearly within the field oi
~sEecutive initiative that venture q
hOpe that your committee viii not thini
fthnt I am taking unwarranted liberty m
enaling this suggestion as TO the businos,
'Nof the honhc. and I very earnestly com
anend II 10 their immediate consideration
Iaymen Meet at Columbus.
Columbus, March THE laymen's
'nissionary movement convention II
~.