Albuquerque morning journal., 1916-03-02
COLD JOLT FOR CONGRESS.

With that precision OF intellectual
process which has marked his ever,
action since ho became president
Woodrow Wilson has just handed {
sudden, weli-merited but entirely ua
expected solar plcxus blow to thos,
democratic members OF the loNoi
house of congress who have been
seeking to embarrass him In the con.
duct OF the foreign affairs of the ma.
tion. Last week there was sudder
flare-up. panic, revolt, In which
a large percentage OF the democratic
congressman sought 10 have Amcri.
cans warned 10 keep off armed
merchantmen Of the entente powers
and further sought TO have the lcgls-
lotive branch Of the government plac-
cd In practical control OF the nations
diplomatic negotiations.
After giving the statesmen time IA
cool off bit. the president has ad-
dressed a letter to the acting chair
man OF the ways and means commit
tee asking that the question be
brought squarely before the house for
discussion and decision as to whether
the house of representatives favors
the yielding Of American rights to any
beiligerent. Now the democratic
congressman are running In circles
ana don't know where to head IN.
30 far as can be gathered. the re-
volt OF the democratic members wns
not so much to keep the country out
OF war as It was to embarrass the
president and break his Influence IN
affairs Of legislation. II was fo-
mented by the pro-German paciflsta,
the anti-preparedness cult, the Hearst
influence and a number Of Champ
Clark men who have been irreconeil-
ably hostile toward the president ever
fince the Baltimore convention, al
though the speaker himself Is stand
Ing beside the president and prevent
cd a vote being taken on tho ill-con,
sidered McLemore resolution.
II the democrats lose the next cleo
tion their defeat viii be due TO tho
foolshness of the democratic mem.
bcrH OF congress, not 80 much be-
cause Of the laws placed upon statute
books. or lack OF them, but because
Of the distrust inspired In tho coun-
try generally.
congress. compared with its mem
bcrship Of a quarter Of a century ago
is not strong legislative body. The
personnel from oil sections OF the
country has deteriorated. with the
most marked deterioration, however
Ia the delegations from the southern
states John sharpe Williams. Oscar
Underwood and Champ Clark are b'G
men--at lenst reasonably biz men, To
what other democratic member .,
either house can the term big be ap.
piled by any ordinary stretch OF tbs
imaginationl
The president stands for interna.
tionai law, just as he has stood from
the time the first discussion OF sub.
marine warfare began with Ger
many. Americans have the right e
travel on enemy merchant vessels
aud their lives shall not be imperilct
unless there Is resistance or attemp
10 escape; American manufacturer
have tho right TO make and expor
munitions TO any belligerent, and TIM
right shall not be sacrificed.
II Il Is necessary TO 80 to war 4
maintain these rights, the presidcn
is for war II they can be maintain
ed without war. he is for peace. !
any Of these rights are TO be yielded
congress must assume responsibilit
for placing this nation in the attitud
OF a craven. Fortunately there ar
enough democrats. together with th
republicans. to insure that the presl
dents Amerieaniam shall not be re
pndiated and that the nation shall no
be humiliated by an aggregation o
near statesmen.