South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-04-19
TELLS WORLD HE DIS
PATCHED AN ULTIMATUM
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.)
his power to refer the message to
DeIuged WIth TeIegrams.

the foreign affairs committee.
Deluged With kilograms.
Congress was deluged with tele-
grams today from German-Amer-
leans in every part of the country,
but especially from the great mid
die west, calling upon the members
TO use their best endeavors TO pre-
vent any diplomatic break with Ger
many One Of these, typical Of the
majority, from the German Singing
society of Cincinnati, said;
use your best efforts to prevent
a break between this government
and Germany. The political situa-
ton demands careful handling"
While the house went about its
regular business awaiting the arrival
of the hour for the joint session.
the crowded membership on the
floor gathered in little groups and
discussed the coming address. The
business before the hcuse-a con-
ference report on the free sugar re-
peal bill-was given scant attention,
and Speaker Clark had difficulty in
preserving any semblance of order
in the chamber.
Chairman Flood, fresh from his
conference with the president, Ma
jority Leader Kitchin, Republican
Leader Mann, and others talked
over the situation during roll call
on the sugar bill. The house was in
tCmult with members talking and
laughing until the din drowned out
the clerks call and the responses
I IL. .
roll call was interrupted while the
speaker sought to restore order.
For the first time in years the dig
nihed offices and corridors of the
capitol, the senate and house office
buildings were crowded before s
o'clock Groups of excited members.
in almost total ignorance of what
the day might bring forth, but con-
| fdent that great events were i'm
| pending, gathered TO talk things
over. From the meager information
available there developed a feeling
/ that before nightfall the long ex-
pected crisis in the relations between
| this country and Germany would be
reached.
Speaker Champ Clark, Majority
\ Leader Kitchin, and Republican
/ Leader Mann were at their offices
/ early. and they conferred on the de-
tailed arrangements for receiving the
president. The leaders were at a
\ loss TO make any definite plans for
/ handling the situation, after the
presidents address had been deliv.
cred. Majority Leader Kitchin said
action by congress would depend en-
tirely upon what the president said
and what he asked congress to do.
/ The leaders believed, however, that
the president would merely advise
with congress and would not ask for
any legislative action. 1t was pointed
out that the president himself had
ample power 70 break off diplomatic
relations with Germany and that
there would be no necessity for con-
gressional action, If a break was the
only move contemplated at this time.
Democratic Leader Kern of the
senate conferred also with the
house leaders as to the routine ar
rangements for the joint session.
/ Under the direction OF Speaker
Clark extraordinary police precau-
tons were taken on the house side
Of the capitol. The thousands OF
visitors who sought TO force their
way into the house wing, for a
glimpse OF the history making event,
found themselves confronted by a
Gordon Of uniformed police and Sc
cret service men. Every corridor
was barred. and only those holding
tickets 10 the gallery were passed
through. They were forced 10 IN
dergo a close scrutiny and all
bundles and packages were thor
Oughly searched. No suspicious-look-
/ ing packages passed the police lines
the capitol police holding up al
bundles and issuing checks for their
return.