The state herald., 1916-03-03
TELLS CONGRESS ACTIONS MAY
IMPERil PEACE OF U. S.
WITH GERMANY.
TO IGNORE BERNST0RFf
U. s. TO DEAL DIRECT IN EFFORT
TO SETTLE LuSiTANIA
CONTROVERSIES.
we,,ern New.paper un!on Mew. s.rvle..

Washington. Feb. 26.-Congress set
tied down Friday to await develop
ments in the submarine controversy
between the United States and Ger
many with an overwhelming majority
of both houses apparently very def
nitely determined TO take no action
which might embarrass the admins
tration in the present stage of diplo-
matte negotiations.
A few of the more ardent advocates
of legislation to keep Americans off
armed ships continued their activities,
and former Secretary Bryan's sup
port for them was shown in the form
OF telegram, but even most of them
admitted there was no prospect of i'm
mediate action. So far as the admin
istration is concerned, it was stated
authoritatively that, while any agita-
ton of the issue just now was unde.
sirable, there was no disposition 10
oppose vote on the pending armed
to force one.
1t was declared that reports from
the capitol during the day showed con-
clusively that both the Senate and the
House would stand behind President
Wilson in his refusal to permit any
abridgement of the rights OF American
citizens on the seas, as outlined in his
letter to Senator Stone.
The President reiterated his state.
ment in that letter to Speaker CLARK,
Majority Leader Kitchin and Repre-.
sentative Flood. chairman of the
House foreign affairs committee, early
in the day when they called at the
White House to tell of the situation
on their side Of the capitol and hear
the executives views.
There was plain speaking both By
the President and his callers Mr..
Wilson said plainly that his efforts
to keep the country at peace were
liable TO be hindered by Impressions
sent abroad by Congress and the Con.
gressmen were equally frank in CIV
ing notice that strong sentiment'ox.
listed at the capitol against taking the
possibility OF war by permitting Amer
leans TO travel on armed belligerent
ships, whatever might be their
rights under international law.
Although wholly different reports
came from other sources during the
day, Speaker Clark declared he be-
lieved a resolution to warn citizens
off armed vessels would carry IN the
House By two to one II It reached a
vote.
The House delegation went back TO
the capitol with word that the pres!.
dent stood unalterably by his position.
The cabinet discussed the matter at
length and one of the secretaries said
afterwards that the members stood
behind the President to q man"
Berlin.-The morning newspapers
print u Havas dispatch from New
York which says that the adminstra.
tion At Washington has determined
to break off relations with Count Won
Bornstorff. the German ambassador
to the United States. and negotiate
direct with Berlin. Nothing II known
here regarding the reported dislayor
OF Count Won Bornstorff. but Il is con
Sidered extremely probable that the
submarine negotiations will be trans.
ferred TO Berlin In accordance with
recommendation submitted To prnsi
dent Wilson several weeks ago. II l.
felt here that this may expedite s,l'
isfaetory settlement OF the whole sub
marine controversy.