Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-03
Selected by Tavenner

ed the presidents suggestions for dis
arming merchant ships and the allies
rejected them. The central powers had
pledged the president to comply with
international law In conducting their
submarine warfare, but declared arm
ed merchant ships were Illegal and
would be treated as auxiliary cruisers
by submarines just as the president
said they should be in his note above
quoted. The logical thing for con-
gress to do then was to warn our citi-
zens off armed merchant ships while
the negotiations were pending. reserv-
ing all rights under the law, and thus
remove the danger of war. II we did
not do so our peace would be con-
stantly menaced till the controversy
over what constituted legally armed
merchant ship was settled. Admiral
! Mavo in the flag salute case brought
us to war with the de factor govern
ment of Mexico and congress had to
act, or thought it did, to back up his
demand. Some of us could plainly see
ahead Of us the possibility Of another
such case and proposed to remove as
many chances for trouble as possible,
naturally followed and started the con-
troversy in congress. 1t was clearly q
question of policy and not of diplom-
acy. The president undoubtedly rec
ogni2ed 1t as such by asking Chair
man Pou to bring the matter before
the house of representatives for settle
ment one way or another. The pres1-
dent knew that If he held to the doc
trine which he considered doubtful
that our citizens had legal right to
protection on armed merchant ships it
might lead to war and he said so In so
many words to Chairman Flood OF the
foreign affairs committee, and | heard
Mr.. Flood repeat it in the cloak rooms
| of the house. Therefore it was ques-
ton for congress to decide upon pol
icy, because it was a question OF war
or peace. 1t was not a question OF d.
plomacy because we had no fixed pol
| icy on the subject. We not only dis
agreed among ourselves but the bel
| ligerents were also divided on the
question. The president is an eXecu-
tive officer and derives his power from
congress where his duties are not spe-
officially defined by the constitution.
Now let us see how the Nebraska
delegation responded to the presidents
request to congress l quote the main
paragraph in his letter to Mr.. Pou as
follows:
II therefore feel justified in asking
that your committee will permit me to
urge an early vote upon the resolu-
ton with regard to travel on armed
merchantmen which have recently
been SO much talked about in order
that there may be afforded an immed-
late opportunity for full public discus
sion and action upon them and that al
doubts and conjectures may be swept
away and our foreign relations once
more cleared of damaging misunder-
standings" (Signed by the president
What did the president want con.
gress to do? To take up the resolu.
ttions and consider them so there could
be full public discussion and actor
upon them. That is what the president
wanted and asked for, but what did he
get? He got the whole question side
tracked, tabled and lodged. But the
Nebraska delegation voted to give hin
exactly what he asked for by voting
against tabling the resolution so they
could come before the house for full
consideration upon their merits. We
wanted congress to fix policy on this
mooted ship question and avoid the
danger of dragging this nation into war
Therefore the Nebraska delegation
, voted against tabling the resolutions
To vote to table was to evade the dut,
of deciding the question as the presi
dent requested, because in deciding M
matter which way one voted a large
, number Of people would be disappoint
, ed. But to dodge it as congress die
was to offend no one. The Nebraska
delegation did not dodge, but did 1t:
duty as it understood its duty, whel
it cost something to do it. 1t has wor
the abuse of your paper and a few
others whom you quote SO copiousl,
and many others no doubt who wisl
this country to abandon neutral grount
and join in this mad war. l feel tina
our feeble protest has contributed t
the peace and welfare of this nation
and for that I am willing to make an,
personal sacrifice that is necessary
Yours truly,
DAN Y. STEPHENS,
} Member of Congress from Nebraska