Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-03-07
The Treason IN Congress

TIME state department mas TeCSlNeu duNiSSS
from Berlin that reports are being circulated
- in the German capital to the effect that Con-
gress stands five to one against the President in
the pending crisis. Is it to be wondered that the
German militarists defy International law and ig-
more neutral rights and scOrn American protests
when they believe that no matter what outrages
they commit the Congress of the United States will
merely blink in asinine submission?
The fact is, of course. that the Presidents OPP
ponents in this issue are in lean and low minor
ity: they include marplots and hyphens and dema-
gogues, but they no more represent the Judgment
and patriotism of Congress than they do the sover
eighty and honor of the nation. Yet, they have had
their noisy say. They have proposed resolutions to
deny American citizens the common rights OF the
high seas. They have trnckled to the Kaiserized
vote and have sought TO tie the Presidents hands
against uphodng the nations integrity. 1t is from
them. quite naturally, that Berlin has drawn its
inferences and not until the conduct of these miser
able renegades is rebuked emphatically by Con-
gress itself may we expect Berlin to understand or
respect the United States.
Recent dispatches quote the Vossche Zeitung as
urging the German Government to order the sub
marine destruction of all vessels sailing for Eng
land, regardless of whether they are armed or un-
armed and adding:
This course is not without risk; but the
risk, perhaps, is smaller since the American
Congress SHOWS signs OF demanding InaI the
decision in international affairs be taken from
the Presidents hands and placed in those of
Congress-
That is plainly an echo of the traitorous outbreak
which shamed Washington last week. and is an in
dication of the lengths to which Prussian lawless
ness will go, once it is assured that our peace-at-
any-price politicians are in control. The New York
World logically observes that what the Vossiche
Zeitung said yesterday, "other German newspapers
will be saying tomorrow, and that throughout the
Teuton empires the impression will grow that the
President has been morally repudiated by Con-
gress and that the war-making power of the Amer
lean Government will never permit finger to be
lifted for the protection of American rights or
American honor"
1t may be that some of the revolters against
the Administration So stupid to believe that
their policy will conduce to peace; but matter
of fact it is a slippery path to war. For if Ger
many, emboldened by that sheepish policy, per-
perates another crime like the Lusitania the last
restraint of the American temper will give way and
almost inevitably the deluge will come. But in
any event if the orignators and supporters of the
so-caIled warning" resolutions have any honesty
of conviction they should raise objection against
putting the question squarely and fairly to vote
in Congress. Why do they shrink from that, test
today when only week ago they were clamoring
for il? Have they become less solicitous of peace
at any price, or they awaiting orders from
Count Won BernstOrn?
It is plain enough why the mutineers oppose
vote on their original resolution. They oppose it
simply because they moral towards. They have
heard from the country. They have awakened to
the fact that the people with the President.
They are trembling for their political hides They
are lodging and squirming and covering to avoid
responsibility. They are scurrying like so many
rats to escape the issue which they themselves
have raised.
But the issue faces them nexorably; the Presi-
dent faces them, and behind him the country faces
them. Not until that issue is settled the for
egn affairs of the United States be conducted with
any degree of certitude with hope of a happy
outcome. Not until the folly and treachery of those
un-American Senators and Congressman are repu-
lated by Congress itself will Germany understand
that the United States is nation of free citizens,
not a flock of the Kaiser's subjects.
The Government needs an unmistakable record
on this matter. and the people demand record In
every State they are entitled to know just where
their Senators and their Congressman stand,
whether for the rights and honor of America for
the lawlessness of a foreign despotism.
Paying an income tax is another method of
paying for success.