New-York tribune., 1916-03-07

risk be what It may. And men, by fool
ish talk. by forcing an issue, giving AID,
not Intentionally, but actual AID and
comfort TO the nation with winch we
are in controversy, have made 1t neces-
sarv that this House shall say 10 the
world that the President does not
speak his view only. but speaks the VIII
and purpose Of America.
"This is broader question than
whether Americans shall be allowed TO
travel on armed merchant vessels OF
bellgerents," declared Mr.. Flood.
at is whether you are going 10 stand
with America or government with
whom America Is negotiating. ! believe
that every patriotic Congressman-an nd
] believe we have none here but patric-
tic ngressmen-will be found stand
ing behind President Woodrow wilson
and behind his country.
President Hampered.
"We know that we have talked in
this House about warning resolutions
and it has gone abroad that the House
of Representatives favored the NC
Lemore resolution, which would warn
Americans to stay off armed merchant
vessels and disavow responsibility for
them. The fact that that information
got TO the German capital stopped the
negotiations that were going on be-
tween the President OF this country
and that government. hampered the
President, baked him and left TINS
situation in the condition where not
10 act upon the matter tends more 10
bring about war than anything that
we could do"
Does the gentleman" interrupted
Representative Good, of Iowa. think
then that in the present circumstances
the House, irrespective Of the belief OF
the members. ought 10 vote with the
President whether they think the
President is right or wrong IN TINS
emergency, especially when the Presi-
dent in letter 10 the chairman OF the
Committee on Rules asked US for a
vote upon this question? -
II think in this emergency. IN TINS
crisis. it is the duty of patriotic Con-
gressmen TO stand with their Presi-
dent. with their country.
"All over the world there are Ameri-
cans, men and women, in missionary
work or in business, and suppose they
are in South Africa or in China or
some other place; they will have 10
ING from there. Some of these ships
may carry a 6-inch gun or a machine
gun Of some kind, may be armed. Are
we going to serve notice on foreign
nation which is using submarines that
she can torpedo any Of those ships on
sight without warning? Are We going
to serve notice that we DO not propose
TO protect ouf American citizens "
Travelling upOn such ships!
1--WE have not any ships OF our own
upon which they can travel. If we
are going 10 stop them from travelling
entirely, if we are going to be so
cowardly as TO say in advance that we
are not going TO give them any pro
lection. | for one feel as though |
would like 10 renounce my American
citizenship. do not like 10 belong
TO country of such towards.
Mann Opposes Vote.
az dare say there are few members
of the House who would say that the
NcLemore resolution, so called. eX-
nressed his sentiment or his position
said Republican Floor Leader Mann.
"And | undertake to say that majority
Of the members Of the House. If they
expressed their opinion, are Of the be-
lief that American citizens at this time
ought not 10 complicate the situation by
travelling in armed merchant vessels
as the gentleman Of the opinion that
a majority Of this House thinks we
ought to abandon those American citi-
zens if they do disregard that warn
ing ?" asked Representative Gardner.
"When that question arises we ought
TO meet it," Mr.. Mann answered, but !
do hope that our citizens may be so
advised that we shall never be put TO
the test whether we have TO fight be
cause some fool has entered upon JOY
ride voyage.
J "If we take no action at all in this