The Cook County news-herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Cook County, Minn.) 1909-current, 1916-03-02
RIGHT TO TRAVEL ON B6[uGERENI|T'[
VESSELS UPHELD BY PRESIDENT
STONES LETTER TO PRESIDENT
OUTLINES HIS UNDERSTANDING
OF EXECUTIVES ATTITUDE.
Strives to Prevent Congress from Do
ing Anything to Embarrass Dip
lomatic Negotiations.

washington, Feb. 26. - Senator
Stones letter to the president follows:
Dear Mr.. President: Since Sena-
tor Kern, Mr.. Flood and talked with
you on Monday evening, I am more
troubled than I have been for many
day. l have not felt authorized to
report our conversation, but have at
tempted, In response to numerous in
Qulrles from my colleagues, to state to-
them, within the confidence that they
should observe, my general under
standing of your attitude l have stat
ed my understanding of your attitude
to be substantially as follows:
Wilson's Stand Explained.
"That while you would deeply re-
greet the rejection by Great Britain
OF Mr.. Lansing's proposal for the dis
armament Of merchant vessels of the
Allies with the understanding that
Germany and her allies would not fire
upon merchant ship if she hauled to
when summoned, not attempting to
escape, and that the German warships
would only exercise the admitted right
OF visitation and capture and would
not destroy the captured ship except
reasonably assured Of the safety of
passengers and crew, you were of the
opinion that if Great Britain and her
allies rejected the proposal and in,
sisted upon armng her merchandising
she would be within her rights under
international law. Also that you
would feel disposed to allow armed
vessels to be cleared from our ports;
also that you are not favorably dis.
posed to the idea of this government
taking any definite step towards pre-.
venting American citizens from EN-.
barking upon armed merchant vessels.
Furthermore that you would consider
it your duty, if German warship fire
upon an armed merchant vessel of the
enemy upon which American citizens
were passengers to hold Germany t.
strict account.
Congress Deeply Concerned.
81 think that I should say to you
that the members of both houses feel
deeply concerned and disturbed by
what they read and hear. have heard
of some talk to the effect that some
are saying that after all it may be
possible that the program of prepared.
ness, sO-called, has some relation to
just such a situation as we are now
~
selIed all who have talked with me
to keep cool; that this whole business
is still the subject Of diplomacy, and
that you are striving to the utmost
to bring about some peaceable adjust
ment, and that in the meantime con-
gress should be careful not to ball
up diplomatic situation by any kind
Of hasty and iII-considered action.
Defines Personal Attitude.
However, the situation in congress
is such as to excite a sense of deep
concern in the minds of careful and
thoughtful men. I have thought that
1t is due to you to say this much.
think you understand my personal at.
titude with respect to this subject. As
much and as deeply as would hate to
radically disagree with you, find il
difficult for my sense of duty and re-
sponsibility to consent to plunge this
nation into the vortex Of this world
war because Of the unreasonable OBJ
stinacy of any of the powers on the
one hand, or on the other hand, of
foo'hardiness, amounting to sort of
moral treason against the republic,
Of our people recklessIy risking their
lives on armed beIligerent ships. /
cannot escape the conviction that such
would be SO monstrsus as to be in
defensibIe.
Wishes to Help President
Il want to be with you and to stand
by you, and I mean to do so up to the
last limit, and want to talk with you
and Secretary Lansing with the ut.
most frankness-to confer with you
and have your Judgment and counsel,
and 1 want to be kept advised as to
the course of events, as it seems TO
me am entitled to be. In the mean
time am striving to prevent anything
being done by any senator or member
calculated to embarrass your dpIo.
matte negotiations. Up to the last
you should be left free to act diplo-
maticaIIy as you think for the best to
en*fI0 ho