Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-02-25

| 70" 1898 CERTAIN, out the leaders were
confident that vote would show an
overwhelming majority for upholding the
President.
Late today Secretary Lansing conferred
with Chairman Flood over the telephone
and told him he considered the situation
| was improved
secretary Lansing told Mr. Flood he
considered that the situation had been
improved because Congress had refrained
from embarrassing the state department
IN its diplomatic negotiations. The same
view prevailed elsewhere in official circles
bill Identical with that prepared by
Senator Gore was introduced in the House
late today by Representative Mondell Of
Wyoming.
Congress Calrner
Congress found itself in calmer
mood today after yesterdays furry Of
agitation for action to warn Americans
off armed ships. Leaders in both the
Senate and the House saw to it that
none of the various proposals found
their way into the open and their atti
tude had quieting effect. Advocates Of
action insisted. however. that they had
not retreated from their position but
merely had agreed to wait until they
could be more fully informed about the
status of the administrations diplo-
matte negotiations.
Gore Smothered
In the Senate. Senator Gore made an
| unsuccessful attempt to introduce a
concurrent resolution expressing the
sentiment of Congress that Americans
should keep off armed ships and also
a. bill requiring Americans in procur-
ing passports to take oath that they
would not travel on such ships. For
him to introduce these measures re-
quired unanimous consent and objec-
ton was Immediately made by Sena-
tor Brandesee. member of the for
| eign relations committee. Tonight Sem
! ator Gore said he would ask tomorrow
that the concurrent resolution lie on
the table for day. He had no dispo-
sition to discuss it at this time, he
SAID. unless a motion should be made
to refer it to the foreign relations COM
mittee.
MondelIs Bill
On the House side. Rep. Mondell of
! wyoming. the first Republican to ap-
pear as supporter of warning legis-
latlcn. introduced a bill similar to the
Gore passport measure which was re-
| ferred to the committee on foreign af-
fairs. Representative Hilliard, Demo-
crat or Colorado, also introduced a res
olutlon These will be considered by the
committee together with the McLemore
resolution which is being urged by
many champions of legislative action
on the subject
Cores Attempt Blocked
| The first attempt to introduce legis
| lation warning Americans off armed
heiligerent ships made in Congress to-
, day by Senator Gore, a Democrat. was
summary blocked by Senator B,ande
gee. Republican. and the rules of
the Senate cannot be resumed until to-
morrow.
Senator Cor. sought to introduce his
Dill prohibiting passage of Americans
on such ships and also to introduce a
, concurrent resolution. requiring pass
age by the House, but until his bill
not requiring the approval Of the Presi
dent.
claring:
1T seems TO me the ship Of state
Is drifting or driving headlong upon
i the breakers ! do not say Deliberate
. ~ but fear directly upon the break
ers
When asked about reports that he
had conferred with Former Secretary
Bryan before preparing his bill and
resolution Senator Gore said
II have not seen Mr. Bryan since last
January. did talk to him at that
time about the bills on this subject I
had then introduced. OF course I know
thai Mr. Bryan favors action such al
propose
After outlining in the Preamble the
situation in Europe and the desire of
this country to keep from becoming in
Nolred. Senator Cores resolution says:
Whereas. the rights of American
citizens to travel on armed belliEerent
vessels rather than upon unarmed ves-
sells. is essential neither to their liberty
or safety. nor 10 the independence, dig
t nifty or security of the United States.
and whereas Congress alone been vest
, ed with the power to declare war which
involves the obligations to prevent war
by all proper means consistent with the
! honor and vital interest of the nation;
now therefore be it resolved by the
Senate. the House of Representatives
| concurring, that it is the sense of the.
! Congress vested as it is with the sole
power to declare war, that all persons
owing allegiance to the United States.
should. in behalf of their own safety
and the vital interest of the United
| States forebear to exercise the right to
/ travel as passengers on any armed YES
sci of any belligerent power. whether
such vessel be armed for offensive or
! defensive purposes; and it is the fur
! Their sense of the Congress that no
passport should be issued or renewed
! by the secretary of State or anyone act
ing under him. to, be used by any per-
son owing allegiance to the United
States for purpose Of travel upon any
such armed vessel Of a belligerent pow
err"
Status Explained
The exact status of the situation
was explained as fellows:
| Many members Ct the House and
some in the Senate. being much in the
dark as to exact facts in the negotia-
i tions with Germany. fear that it would