The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-02-26
BRYAN WOULD
IGNORE WISH
OF PRESIDENT
Wires Congress to Pass
Resolution Objectionable
To Wilson
MANY CONGRESSMAN
RECEIVE KILOGRAMS
Wilson Reiterates His Posi-
ton Opposing Any Con-
gressional Action
MANY CONGRESSMAN
RECEIVE KILOGRAMS
81 ASSOCIATED Press.


Washington, Feb. 25.-Telegrams
to congressman from William Jen-
nfngs Bryan, supporting the move
nent for warning Americans off
armed ships, began arriving today.
Representative Bailey of Pennsyl-
vania, received one and planned to
read 1t from the floor.
Representative Bailey, after a con-
ference with Majority Leader Kitch-
in, however, simply made public the
telegram which follows:
II honestly hope that congress will
speedily announce legislation refusing
passports to Americans travelling on
belligerent ships; or still better, re-
fusing clearance to belligerent ships
carrying American passenger ships.
mo owner of belligerent ships will
claim that he has the right to safe
guard contraband cargo with Amer
lean lives and no citizen should be
permitted to endanger the peace of
the nations at a time like this. Ours
is the. greatest neutral nation and
will probably be the mediator when
the time for mediation comes. 1t
would be crime against civilization
as well as against our own people to
become involved In this war and thus
lean our army and navy to En-
ropean monarch to use in settling his
uuarrels.
eff congress has the right to de-
clare war, 1t certainly has the right
to promote peace by restraining citi-
zens from taking necessary risks. A
mayor keeps the people of his city out
of the danger zone during riot. Can
our government afford to do less when
the world is In riot"
That is right" Representative
Bailey quoted Mr.. Kitchin as saying
when he read the telegram.
AGITATION CONTINUES.
Although the ardent advocates OF
legislation to keep Americans off
armed ships continued their activities
in congress today. An overwhelming
majority of both houses apparently is
determined to take no action which
might embarass the administration in
the present stage Of diplomatic nego-
tiations.
After a conference between Speak
er Clark, Majority Leader Kitchin
and Representative Flood and the
president today, in which Wilson re-
fterated his position of opposing any
congressional action at this time as
set forth in his letter of last night to
Senator Stone, it was the opinion of
congressional leaders that no serious
effort viii be made to bring legisla4
tive action unless developments make
a rupture with Germany imminent.
Although wholly different reports
on congress- attitude came during the
day, the seriousness of the situation
for the administrators position was
seen when Speaker Clark declared he
believed the resolution to warn Amer
leans off armed ships would carry in
Z the house IL it reached a vote by
about two to one. Despite this it is
reported authoritatively tonight that
the administration, while desiring no
action, has no disposition to oppose
vote if its sponsors try to force
one.
REPUBLICANS WITH WILSON.
Senator Lodge, ranking Republican
member of the foreign relations COM
Inittee, declared in a statement today
that he was in full accord with Pres
ident Wilson's views on the subma-
rine issue as expressed in his letter
Continued on Page Two.)