The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-25

mercnantmau fa dlEtinCtty 0epatApic N
view of the new element In naval war
fare, the appearance of the submarine
has created. In discussing this phase
of the subject a department official
said:
This much can be said in advance
OF the argument. Germany Will be
assured that the United States will not
permit any merchantmen which we
consider armed extensively to leave an
American port. When she asks for
mally for definition of what con-
stitutes defensive armament. she Will
get II insofar as we have determined
s. definition. IT is reasonable to sup
pose and we have reason to believe
that she will propose an amendment OF
existing definitions. Such an amend
ment is a fair subject to diplomatic
negotiations"
Hysteria Continues.
The hysterta of excitement which
y yesterday threw the House into tumult
continued throughout the day. Chair
man Flood, of the Foreign Affairs Conn
mittee, made an effort to obtain an op-
pointment with the President. He was
informed that the President did not
wish to discuss the situation.
Before the House met at noon a
half dozen secret conferences had
been held Chairman Flood had met
Chairman Stone, OF the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee. Representative
Dorsey Shackleford, of Missouri, one
OF the leaders OF the anti-war forces,
had conferred with Speaker Clark,
Chairman Flood, Majority Leader
Kitchin and various other members.
While the excitement was at Its
height, Chairman Flood, in spite of
his failure to get in touch with the
White House, sent Representatives
Harrison, of Mississippi, Sherley. or
Kentucky. and other administration
supporters among members of the
House with the word that the situation
looked more hopeful"
1t was then proposed that Speaker
Clark, Mr.. Kitchin and Mr.. Flood go
to the White House and inform the
President Of the sentiment In the
House. The three leaders agreed, and
at 2:3O o'clock Speaker Clark's secre-
tary called the White House on the
telephone. Secretary Tummulty was
out at luncheon, but at $3.50 he called
the Speaker and promised to acquaint
the President with the request.
From that time on through the rest
OF the afternoon the House waited to
hear from the President. While
Speaker Clark remained in his room,
Representatives Kitchin and Flood
waited on the floor and in the cloak
rooms, ready to hurry to the other
end OF the avenue at the first word
that their request had been granted.
But no word came. No word had
come when at 5:25 the House adjourn
ed.
While Representative Kitchin was
waiting for word to start for the
White House, he stated his position
as follows:
Kitchin's Position.
'I hope the President and Con-
grcss will be able TO get together
on some proposition so that IL will
remove any demand for any reso-
luton warning Americans of bel
ligerent armed ships. III there Is
real, genuine corporation be-
tween Congress and the executive,
am sure that sucl a proposition
will be worked ont and that there
will bc no trouble between this
country and Germany or the
President and Congress"
Out OF score of additional reso-
buttons on the situation, only two were
INTRODUCED Representative Hillard,
of Colorado. presented a resolution
warning. Americans off belligerent
ships and withdrawing government
guarantees of safety to citizens taking
ge on such ships. Representa-
tive Mondell introduced in the House
the bill introduced in the Senate yes
terday.
Senator stones heroic efforts to pre-
vent discussion on the floor of the
Senate of the proposed resolution
warning Americans of armed mer-
chantmen met with complete success
today. In the cloakrooms, however,
there was plenty of talk protesting
against the policy OF the President.
Senttor Gore attempted In vain to
| Introduce a concurrent resolution
which IL passed by both houses would
amount to an official expression OF
the views of Congress without the ap-
prevail of the President. Senator
Brandegee's objection prevented II
Senotor Gore issued Il formal state
ment In which he said
1T seems to me that the ship OF
state is drifting or driving headlong
upon the breakers.
When the Senate adjourned It was
under a unanimous agreement that
during the morning hour" tomorrow
nothing except routine business shall
he in order. This means that Senator
Gore will have another opportunity of
presenting his resolution. but under
the rules