The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-26
Leaders. However, Hold in
Check Resolution Taking
Diplomatic Matters in Hand
GERMAN REPLY WILL
BE RECEIVED MONDAY
Republican Senator from
Washington Offers i>esoIu-
ton Having Sweeping Effect
on Power Of Executive

Washington, Feb. 25.-Out OF
tho chaos OF the last forty-ci2ht
hours the belief grew tonight that
the general airing of the dfplc-
matte situation has brought the
submarine controy ersy with Cor
many nearer To solution.
At the same time IL was apptr-
Cnt that the differences between
tho President and Congress have
not been smoothca over. The
Presidents letter to senator Stone
failed to placatc the senate and
House. There was n temporary
truce, but that was all.
Developments of the day giving
rise to the feeling that "a way out
OF the difficulty with Germany
will he found were:
The receipt of apparently
authoritative forecasts OF the Ger
man reply indicating that Ger
many will suggest discussion IL
the disputed question OF defensive
armament.
\ direct statement by Secretary
OF State Lansing that the United
States will discuss this question,
ard the opinion given by Speaker
Clark. after visiting the President,
that Germany will postponc'vpevs~
alton of Its new submarine war
fare pending such discussion.
Discussions of Issues Pro!abie.
From Teutonic diplomatic quarters
come the statement that once the
United States and Germany embark
on a diplomatic discussion of defensive
armament the danger of war is over.
Nations can't go TO war over diff
ference of an inch or two in tha
caIIbre of gun" one official said.
Two resolutions affecting the situa-
ton were introduced in the .Senats
today tone was by Senator Jones, OF
Washington, which directs that before
the President disposes of any question
involving national honor or sewers
diplomatic relations with any foreign
power the matter must first be sub
mitted TO Congress. The other was
concurrent resolution by Senator
Gore. 1t admitted the right of Ameri-
cans to travel where and how they
would, but warned them to keep off
betigerent armed ships. Both resolu-
tions were laid on the table.
Leaders In Conference.
The conference of Democratic lead
ers with President Wilson at ths
" bite House this morning paved tha
way for a general quietins OF cordi-
lions on the House side of the Capitol.
Speaker Clark, Majority Leader
k:tchin and Chairman Flood, of the.
House Foreign Affairs Committee, cir
culated on the floor after their return
from the White House and succeeded
in quieting TO some extent the clamor
for immediate action on the warning
resolutions. Several times during the
day there were momentary fare-ups,
but they were suppressed for the time.
President Wilson was silent on the
situation today. Late this evening
Senator Kern made an appointment
TO see the President Monday. He
said it was practically certain that
nothing will be done in the Senate
before then to hamper a diplomatic
solution OF the difficulty.
Postmaster General Burlesou
during the afternoon assured the
White House that the adminis-
tration now controls the situa-
ton and that u warning rcsoiu-
ton cannot be passed. Similar
assurances also came to the
White Lousc from congressional
leaders. They were given after
the House weathered a new threat
of hysteria that came after a tele-
OCHnlnSS
Bryan urging Congress to imme-
mediate legislative action, was
passed about the floor.
Reply Expected Monday.
Count Won Bernstorff. the German
am bassador. is expected to deliver the
German reply to the State Depart
ment Monday.
The ambassador has refrained from
any communication with officials while
the furry between the President and
Congress was In progress.
IL was apparent today that there
are two things that may delay the
progress of diplomatic negotiations.
The reply of the allies to Iansing's
proposals for disarmament have not
been received The department is also
awaiting receipt OF the appendices to
the German submarine decree. which
are said to prove by the text of OFF,
cial orders that British merchantmen
are armed deliberately to destroy
German submarines.
What IL considered the all-impor-
tant question in the diplomatic stu
alton is just how far Germany will
go in her forthcoming reply to pave
the way for further negotiations
Coupled with the consideration OF
that question Is speculation as to what
attitude the United States will take IL
an offer Is made to discuss the con-
stituent elements of defensive arms
On the solution of this question: