Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-02-24

Washington, Feb 2s.-With large
and clamorOus faction in congress at
odds with President Wilson, the admin
istrltion today neared the crux of Ger
man. American relations. The situation
admittedly was the most critical since
tne dispute arose over the TeutOn proc
lamatiOn of war en- armed merchant
men.
The president has taken drastic meas
ures to check an incipient revolt against
his refusal to warn Americans that they
must keep off armed merchantmen and
he was expected to give the faction in
favor of such steps an ultimatum at his
scheduled conference with Chairman
Stone and Flood of the congressional
foreign committees.
That ne would deliver a message to
congress asking support against recog-
nition of the TeutOn armed merchant
men decree was still forecasted, should
Berlin instructions to Ambassador Bern
storf prove to be of dilatory and un-
satisfactory nature. The administration
also was considering having Secretary
of State Lansing send Stone and Flood
letter pointing out why Americans
have a right to travel either on armed
or unarmed merchantmen. In this con-
nection il was recalled that Secretary
of State Bryan sent a letter to Stane
last year when congress threatened to
pass a resolution for an embargo on
expectation Of munitions.
Situation Is Grave.
Receipt of Germany's reply to Ameri.
g. ..r. L.. i'm ha nj
merch lntman was expected soon, while
the administration was resigned to the
belief that it would be unsatisfactory.
The next move in the situation would
he a vigorous warning to the TeutOns If
their new campaign endangered Ameri-
cans.
The delicate situation in which the
administration found itself today be-
gan Monday night when Chairman
Stone and the president clashed in a
conference at the White House. Stone
is understood to have voiced strong OPP
position to the president 8 stand, while
the president in turn is reported to
have replied firmly that he would not
alter his course.
Among the difficulties confronting
President Wilson was the fact that
both Senator Stone and Representative
Flood favor q warning to Americans to
keep off armed ships rather than to risk
war with Germany through a break in
diplom attic relations. II is believed too
that the majority of both foreign com
mittees favor the same idea as the
chairmen Representative Webb and
Others had prepared petitions asking
the president to issue a warning. And
/ il was reported that o canvass of con
gressional sentiment would be present
cd to the president as soon as possible
perhaps today.
Republicans Back Him.
Friends of the president feared that
perhaps IL would be necessary for aim
to depend upon republican members u
staye off passage of the warning reso
luton. Representative Cooper, Of the
house foreign committee, said, however
that many minority members stand
with the democrats in favor Of warn
ing
On the other hand, Senators Calling
er, Lodge and SCOT and other promin
ent republicans sustain the president Z
position. Minority Mann in also will
the executive.
The administration is trying hard Il
postpone action by congress, and taos
supporting the president believe that
in the meantime, the excitement will
subside. The executives friends point
led out that passage Of warning resolu