Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-14
Senator Burleigh with
Lodge in Armed Mer-
chantmen Discussion
HOUSE REPUBLICAN
VOTED THE SAME WAY
Under Prevailing War Excite
ment Business in Congress
Drags-Gossip of Maine Peo-
pie and Maine Interests at the
Capital

Washington, D. c., March 13.-(Spe-
ciaD Maine Republicans in Congress
are we'll satisfied with their record
through the recent controversy over
armed merchantmen in Senate and
House. There was complete unanimity
on their part with reference to the
proper policy to pursue. Senator Bur-
leigh decided at the start, when the
matter was at issue at his end of the
Capitol that he would stand by the
President. Indeed the Presidents po-
sition was that which had been recon-
mended by eminent Republicans all
along. not only with special reference
to submarine warfare but with REFER
ence to Mexico. There seemed to Sen
ator Burleigh not much else that
loyal Republican could properly do
Furthermore the way had been blazed
by Senator Henry Cabot Lodge of
Massachusetts, Republican ranking
member Of the Foreign Relations Com
mittee Of whose solid Republicanism
there is no doubt. But Senator Lodge
is conceded to be the best authority
in Congress. if not in public life. on
matters Of diplomacy and international
law.
New England Republicans at the
Capitol were quite generally of the
opinion that it was the only way. Fol-
lowing the Senate vote at the .erth
end of the Capitol came the contest in
the House and the three Republican
representatives from Maine all voted
the same way-to support President
Wilson. They stood by him on three
roll calls. one ordering the previous
question on the special rule, another
on adopting the special rule and the
third on tahlng the McLemore resolu-
ton which proposed. in substance. that
II American citizens travelled on arm
ed merchantmen, even though these
ships We're within the provisions of in
ternational law. should forfeit right to
protection of their government at Wash
ington.
Neither Senator Burleigh nor Maine
Republicans in the House intend that
their votes supporting the President
shall mean Republican endorsement
for him. They have their own ideas
Row the negotiations with Berlin over
the submarine controversy should have
been conducted but whatever differences
Of opinion with the President they may
have on these scores. they propose 10
give him the freest hand possible for
the present and when the negotiations
are done. will then say what they
think
No one from Maine in Congress took
any part in the discussion Of Senate and
House during the monentous armed nler-
chantmen days. Indeed, il was the gem
eral policy of Republicans who were sup
porting the President TO say very little
but to vote and leave the case right
there. However. Senator Johnson and
Representative McGillcuddy, the two
Maine Democrats in Congress. were for
once in entire accord with their Repuhl-
can colleagues. They had nothing to say
in debate but contented themselves with
voting 70 support the President.
There was one Maine-born man, Repre-
sentative Ernest W. Roberts Of the Mel
rose. Mass. district. who was one of the
few New Englanders to stand out Mr..
Roberts. while representing virtually the
same district that Senator Lodge repre-
years ago, has often differed with Sena-
tor Lodge on matters of politics. And in
this instance Mr.. Roberts went counter to
the judgment Of all his Republican col
leagues in the House from the old Bay
| State. He voted steadily against the