Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-03-02

| tacks an armed merchantmen and any
American is injured, the question Il
presented to this government what our
attitude would be. If nD American
citizen was on board we would have no
cause to interfere unless we proceeded
on the altruistic theory Of obligations
| of humanity.
"To my mind this emergency Is OF
high Importance. The president, sena-
tors and representatives should speak
with each other and with the country
free from political bias. We should
wear our hearts on our sleeves SO we
may know our position exactly.
THE presidents s attitude is this: He
supports the contention that belliger-
. ent merchantmen have the right tc
| bear arms for defensive purposes, but
he does not say, nor do l. what con-
stitutes defensive purposes. a7
Not Political Question.
Furthermore, If German warship
without warning should attack and
sink merchantmen, the president
proposes to consider the attack a law
less act. He will be disposed to hold
the German government to strict ac-
countability and If the German govern
ment persisted he would be tempted
to sever diplomatic relations and sub
NIT the matter to congress, which un-
der the constitution Is the war-making
body. -. -
IF it must come to this, and must
disagree with the president, and If l
must disagree with my colleagues, I
must not, face this as a political 1ues-
ton. Ny duty is clear. I can not but
believe that if a belligerent merchant
man is armed, whether for defensive or
offensive purposes. If 1t is transport
ing munitions, it is the equivalent Of a
war vessel.
Il can not discuss the question now,
but must state. in duty to myself, I will
discuss it here at length in the near fu-
ture. The president is opposed to the
Gore resolution. He is not opposed to
laws on the subject, but to any form Of
official warning, keeping people off bel
ligerent ships. ,5r-f$ E--
IF could have my way. I would
take some step to save this country
from becoming embroiled in the Euro
pean war thru the recklessness of some
thoughtless citizen"
"No ise"-WiIson
President Wilson today told Chair
lIdS lOOu, ol tlf. AO10'ltoi otheAAAS
committee, that he would consent to no
compromise on the armed ship issue
and desired a direct vote on the reso-<
luton warning Americans off armed
ships of belligerent nations.
Repor.s to the administration today
We're that yesterday ten members Of
the foreign committee were in favor Of
out the McLemore resolu-
a.
ships and nine members were against
it. There are twenty-one members OF
the committee. Some Of those who ex-
pressed Opinions were opposed to the
McLemore resolutions because 1t con-
tains expressions not connected direct
~ with the issue on which the presi-
dent insists on vote. i. :. ,.6. a
a meeting of the committee, which
was. to have been held this morning,
was postponed to 8 o'clock this after
noon. when Chairman, Flood VIII ads-s
liver Che presidents message
Says It's Soft Soap. s
. The president had no engagement,
with conversational leaders today. Up
to the present Mr.. Wilson had not been
asked to see any committee of either
house, to send any facts to congress or
tozappear before congress in person, as
has been Informally suggested. 1t was
said at the White House that no such
questions would be taken up until they
were presented. 81 Z. = 80 u.
Administration officials characterized
the proposed vote on confidence as a
soft soap" resolution to endorse the
president and at the same time warn
Americans off armed ships. They re-
iterated that no such resolutions would
be satisfactory. e..
This is clear-cut ISSUE" said one
administration official, "and we do not
want it muddled" .-'.s G- II
Having Desired Effect.
There were some indications, accord
ing to these officials, that the presi-
dents stand was having the desired ef-
feet on the house. They felt that the
rules committee was ready to- act and
that the only obstacle now was in the
foreign affairs committee.
In his talk with Representative Flood
today the president said fatty that
what was wanted was c vote on the
McLemore resolution or similar one
He made it plain that he wants the
armed ship agitation disposed once and
For all, 50 it Will not come up later to
embarrass the diplomatic negotiations.
Chairman Flood said on his return
to the capitol that he believed some
resolution acceptable to the president
would be agreed upon IN the foreign
affairs committee today.
Seeking RepubIicanAid.
President Wilson and Republican
Leader Mann Of the house will discuss
the attitude Of republicans on the
armed ship issue at 5 o'clock this
afternoon. at the presidents request /
The president intends to place the is- !!
sue squarely before the republicans in |:
IN effort to gain their support.
Says German Americans Are Loyal.
Paul F. Mueller. of Chicago, presi- !,
lent of the National Association Of !;
German Publishers. and editor Of the |
Chicago Abenpost, told President Will |
ION today he believed most German
Americans were loyal TO the United
States. s, r.
The president told Mr.. Mueller he |
'elt confident that the German-Ameri- |
,ans In common with other Americans /
# foreign birth, were loyal
Mr.. Mueller declared there was no |
political significancs to his visit. He |
,aid the publishers' association was |
.rying to arrange news service out |
# washington for German American
,apers. e sss 81
QUEEN MOTHER DYING.
Condition Of Elizabeth Of Rcumani