Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-02-26
Tells Leaders Resolutions
Proposed Will Simply
Make Course Hard
EXPECTS TO AVOID
WAR WITH KAISER
Hopes to Hear Soon That
Germany Will Suspend
Admiralty Order

. /. r
hight In congress over warning
Americans off armed ships mark
cd time today, with the parlia-
rentary situation and other deveI-
opments favoring President VIII
sons position.
President Wilson firmly reiter-
ated to house leaders the unyleId-
Ing position he outlined last night
In his letter to Senator Stone.
Former Secretary Bryan's In
f,uence came openly into the fight
today when Representative Bailey
Of Pennsylvania gave out teIe-
gram from Mr.. Bryan opposing
the presidents position and sup
porting the agitation in congress.
Senator Lodge, ranking repub-
Ilcan Of the foreign relations com.
n,lttee, declared support Of the
president's position. Senator Gore,
q democrat, introduced his resoIu.
tlon warning Americans, and Sen.
ator Jones, republican, introduced
. resolution to require break In
diplomatic relations to be referred
to congress. There was no dis
eussion.
Washington, D. c., Feb. 25.-Presi
dent Wilson reiterated his opposition
to any action in congress warning
Americans off armed ships In a con
ference early today with Speaker
Clark, Majority Leader Kitchin ant
Chairman Flood of the house foreign
affairs committee, and they in turn
told the president that if such a resc
luton were brought to a vote in the
house at this time it would be passed
by majority of two to one.
The president was unshaken in his
position that congress should take nc
action embarrassing his contention
that the rights of Americans on the
seas must be upheld at any cost and
repeated what he had written last
night to Senator Stone.
The house leaders went away tell
ing the president nothing would be
done today but they ventured no pre-
dicuons. They admitted the situa
lion was serious and could not tell
how far the sentiment In congress
would be swayed by the publication
Of the presidents letter to Senator
Stone.
To Postpone Order. ~.
After the conference Speaker Clark
said there was rumor that Germany
would postpone the beginning Of the
new submarine campaign until April
| or the middle Of March. He would
1ot say whether he got his informa
ion from the president.
''The sum and substance of the con.
'erence,' Speaker Clark said, s'outside
If an explanation made as to the tenn.
per of the house regarding the diplo.
natic situation with Germany and
some argument on both sides, is fully
,et out in Senator Stones letter 10
he president and the presidents let.
.er to Senator Stone.
"We explained to the president how
he house felt, in our judgment. l told
he president that this warning reso-
ution would carry two to one if they
,ver got chance for a vote. Some
enthusiastic gentlemen, said, thought
t would carry three to one.
"Of course there was a great deal
y talk about international law regard
ng the rights Of Americans on the
'eas, and precedents. At the conclu.
ZION of the conference it was very
;lear to all that the president stands
IN his letter to Senator Stone.
But there are rumors which were
discussed that Germany may postpone
enforcement Of the new admiralty or
Ter to sink all armed ships from
March l, either to April or the mid
lie of March. I think the chances are
hat Germany will postpone this
performance This will
i've more time for consideration of
his matter.
'We told the president that in the
went of such postponement all ac-
ion in congress certainly would be
Meantime these resolu.
ions would remain in statu quo"
Regarding the possibility OF action
n congress in case Germany adheres
o her announcement that the admir-
ic1aaaued ON page ~