Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-02-21
Stone Preparing


]icans, discussed the subject last week,
urging that for the United States to
yield to the right of Germany to sink
defensively armed merchant ships
would be an unneutral act and step
towards war In announcing his pur-
pose to address the Senate, Senator
Stone said he would answer some of
the arguments made by the Republi-
cans. but declared the situation was
one of such grave Importance that it
should not be debated in the Senate in
a partisan way Preparing for his ad-
dress the Missouri senator has con-
terred with President Wilson and Sec
retary Lansing and his view on the
subject are being awaited with interest
by members of both houses, who do
not conceal the belief that the nation
is facing the gravest diplomatic crisis
since the beginning of the European
war.
Mexican Agitation
Mexican affairs also are to be aired
again In the Senate, Republican sena-
tors planning to attack the Presidents s
report on Senator Falls resolution
asking Tor information concerning the
Carranza government. Senator Fall has
expressed disappointment because the
President and Secretary Lansing did
not disclose diplomatic correspondence
relating to political conditions in Mex
leo which led up to the recognition Of
Carranza.
IN the foreign relations committee
Wednesday the nomination of Henry
ffather Fletcher as ambassador 10
Mexico will be considered and adminis-
'ratlon senator's propose to demand a
vote on a motion to recommend his CON-
hrmation to the Senate. Democratic
Ieaders are determined to press for con-
nrmat1on There has been no opposi-
tion even from Republican sources TO
Mr. FLETCHER personally and the gen.
eral opinion at the capitol is that his
nomination will be confirmed barore
the end of the week.
Other important matters to occupy
attention Of the Senate during the we.l,
will be the Hatien treaty, a resolution
to direct congressional investigation in
to charges Of inefficiency of the arm,-
AVIATION service. continuation of the in
curry INTO the fitness of Louis d. Rran
dels for the supreme court, water now
er legislation and further inquiry into
the alleged effort of American interests
to monopolize the sizal OUTPUT in yu-
catan
IN poth houses the preparedness pro-
gram Will be urged on, in committee
which are framing the navy and army
appropriation bills. There is general
satisfaction among administration lead
ers over the progress that is being made
and the apparent disappearance of much
OF the earlier opposition to the necess-
ity for reasonable plan Of national
defense
The kitchin resolution to repeal the
free sugar clause of the Underworld
Simmons tariff law may be reached late
this week in the House. Consideration
of it has been postponed until Thurs
day. at least in order that Rep. Ford
ney Of Michigan the ranking Repubh-
can member of the ways and means
committee who is at his home, may be
present when debate opens.
Ten Democrats already have notified
Majority Leader Kitchin that they will
not be bound by the caucus decision to
support the measure when a vote is taxi
en-. Other Democrats may join the
"Insurgent" ranks, it is said. AS vet
no attempt has been made by the op-
position to perfect an organization and
it is probable that they will do no more
than speak and vote against it indi-
vidually. Majority leaders aver that
adoption of the resolution in the House
is assured
The postoffice appropriation bill win
be passed early this week and the
space payment railway pay and en-
ployes guaranty fund clauses are ex-
pected to be adopted approximately as
drawn by the committee.
If consideration of the free sugar
resolution does not follow disposal Of
the postoffice bill. the Burnett immigra-
ton bill will be taken up instead. Rep
SABBATH and others opposed
to the literary test will wage a deter
mined fight on the floor against the
measure. The Asiatic seclusion bill now
is being read by paragraphs in ten i'm
migration committee and it's introducer,
Rep. Baker of California. hopes to have
it reported.