The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1916-03-03
The President Calls for "Shcw
Down" in Congress on ResO-
lutiOns Warming Americans
Off Armed Ships.
WRITES ACTING HEAD
OF RULES COMMITTEE; L;
Administration Leaders COnfi-
dent Each Body Will Give Vote
of Confidence in Chief Execu-
tive.

dent Wilson decided to-day that
he cannot proceed with the Ger
man submarine negotiations
while dissension in Congress
weakens his position before the
world, so he called for "show
down" on the pending proposals
to warn Americans off merchant
ships of the American belliger-
ents armed for defense.
Making clear that he consid-
ers the President, and not Con-
gress, charged with the conduct
of foreign relations of the Uni
ted States, he wrote letter to
Representative Pou, acting chair
man of the House rules commit
tee, asking him to provide par
liamentary means for bringing
the agitation out into the open
on the floor of the House for
, full discussion and a vote. La
SEer he summoned Senator Stone
and Representative Flood, chair
men of the foreign affairs COM
mittees, and Senator Kern, ma
jority leader in the Senate,
for conference at the White
House tomorrow morning, at
which he will request that one
the various pending resolu-
tions be acted upon in both hous-
eS.
Administration leaders, work.
ing steadily for the last week
strengthening their lines and
counting. on the support of the
Republicans, now are so sure OF
their position that they plan to
end all agitation with vote of
confidence in the President.
The Presidents letter to Mr..
Pou, the signal that the Admins
tration was ready to give Ger
many demonstration of the uni
ty, follows:
The Presidents Letter.
"My Dear Mr.. Pou: Inasmuch as
learn that Mr.. Henry, the chairman
OF the committee on iules, is abseut
in Texas, / take the liberty Of call
ing your attention, as ranking mem
Der OF the committee, to matter
OF grave concern to the country
which can, i believe, be handled
under the rules OF the House, only
by that committee.
"The report that there are diyid-
4 ed counsels in Congress in regard
a TO the foreign policy OF the Govern.
ment is being made industrious use
of in foreign Capitals. 1 believe that
is anywhere credited it cannot fail
to do the greatest harm and expose
the country to the most serious risks.
I, therefore, feel justified in asking
that your committee will. permit me
to urge an early. vote upon the reso-
lutions with regard to travel on
Harmed merchantmen which have re-
Gently been so much talked about,
in order that--there may be afford
ed an immediate opportunity for
full public discussion and action upon
them, and all doubts and conjectures
may be swept away and our foreign
relations once more cleared of dam
aing misunderstanding.
"The matter is of so grave impor-
tance. and lies so clearly within the
field of executive Initiative, that ]
venture to hope that your committee
will not think that | am taking un-
warranted liberty in making this sug-
gestion as to the business of the
House. and l very earnestly com
mend 1t TO their immediate consld-
Grafton.
Cordially apd sincerely yours.
"Woodrow Wilson"
Speaker Clark, Majority Lead
er Kitchin, Representative Flood
and Representative Foster. Of
Illinois, conferred at the Capt.
tol tonight and agreed to urge
Shat the rules committee take
no steps pending action by the
foreign affairs committee. and
that the foreign affairs commit,
tcontlnued ON Page Four.)