New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-08
The House and the President.

last Friday, the action taken yesterday
in the House Of Representatives must be
considered in two aspects. The first con-
Germs the conduct of our international re-
lations. The second concerns the Presl-
dents efforts to reestablish his leadership
of the Democratic party.
The House of Representatives followed
the Senate's example in meeting by IN
direction the issue raised by President Will
sons recent letter to Mr.. Pou. The Senate
refused either to discuss the issue or TO
vote on it on It's merits. 1t tabled a
nroposition which had been before 1t Tor
consideration not more than one or TWO
minutes. which was fully understood by
few of those voting and which involved
n different question from the question on
which the President had urged the Senate
70 act. The whole performance smacked
of insincerity. 1t was discreditapie
niece of hippodroming on the Senate
part.
The House allowed liberal measure OF
debate on the subject matter OF the
McLemore resolution. But 1T also de-
clined to deal directly with the main IS
suc-whether or not warning should be
oiven TO American citizens not TO travel
on armed merchantmen. The House tooh
the McLemore resolution from one par
Iamentary morgue and, after discuss.
ing it accidentally, sent 1t back 10
another parliamentary morgue. Under
the provisions of the rule reported by the
Committee on Rules there was Lot-and
could not be-a clear division between
those who favored an abrdgment of the
rights of Americans travelling on defen-
.ively armed merchantmen and those
who favored asserting and indicating
those rights at any cost.
The Tribune is heart and soul against
INV surrender of rights guaranteed our
citizens under international law. 1t would
deplore any attempt by any branch OF the
government to limit the exercise of neu-
trial rights merely for the sake OF avoiding
friction with belligerent powers deter
mined to override international law on the
false plea of military necessity. we are
opposed to any participation 10y Congress
in the conduct of foreign relations-in
the shaping of diplomatic programmes
while they are still in the making. 1t is
the function of Congress to declare war
or 70 refuse to declare it. 1t Is also
within its power TO restrain the EXecu-
tive-if it disagrees with hm--by pass
ing. on its own motion. concurrent resolu-
tions expressing its dissent from his for
eirn policies. But it is a departure from
sound practice for Congress, at the Presi-
dents solicitation, TO arrange sham bat
Ties on diplomatic issues with which he Is
nccupied-to take up resolutions and then
table them simply for the purpose OF
Offering "vote of confidence to the
President.
In so far "a the votes in the two houses
may be construed as strengthening the
President i'm his purpose to surrender no
American rights-to stand for the strict
fulflment Of all the obligations Of inter-
national law-we welcome them. If they
steady the Administrations policy, they
will have done a useful service. But it Is
impossible to blink the fact that they have
not really altered the status quo existing
before the Pou letter was written.
There was no more danger then of Con-
eressional interference with Mr.. Wilson S
diplomacy than there is now. The inter
fering resolutions which Democratic Con-
gressmen introduced were never intended to
be voted on. They were introduced chiefly
20 enable members TO square themselves
with pro-German and pacifist constituents.
They had their origin in the exigencies OF
domestic politics. and it is obvious that
the exigences of domestic politics were
also responsible in large measure for the
Presidents demand on the Democrat,
leaders in Congress that this covert sor;
Of agitation at the Capitol, highly damag-
ing to his prestige and his leadership
should be suppressed.
This brings US 20 the second aspect OF
the votes taken in the two houses. Mr.
Wilson, in form and in effect, demanded a
vote Of confidence from the Democrat
party organization in Congress. lie did
not get what he asked for. In his letter &
Mr.. Pou. which started all the trouble, h.
wrote: II therefore feel justified in ask
ing that your committee will permit me T.
urge an early vote upon the resolutions
with regard 70 travel on armed merchant
men which have recently been so mucf
talked about, IN order that there may b.
afforded an immediate opportunity for fld
public discussion and action upon then
and that all doubts and conjectures MAJ
be swept away and our foreign relations
once more cleared Of dangerous misunder
standings"
Neither house was willing 20 permit q
vote on any proposition with regard &c
travel on armed merchantmen. In tn.
Senate a resolution was tabled which de-