The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1916-03-03
WILSON DENIES
cores CHARGE
President Did Not SGy He Was
Ready For War.
U-B0AT TILT IN SENATE


In Debate in Armed Ship Controversy
Mr.. Wilson Was Accused of Saying
War With Germany "Would Not be
Unurateful," and Might Hasten the
End of Conflict"
Washington, March 3-The contro-
versy between President Wilson and
congress over the wisdom OF warn
ing American citizens to keep on
armed merchant ships Of belligerent
nations burst into flame.
1t was openly declared in the senate
by Senator Gore, Democrat, OF Okla
homa, that he had heard well au-
thenticated report that the president
had told congress leaders tt war
between the United States-dnd Ger
many might not be ungrateful. and
might result in advancing civilization
by bringing about the end OF the Eu-
rGpean war by midsummer"
Senator Gore, whose words prec1pi-
tated most sensational debate, and
resulted in a formal denial from the
White House, is the author of one OF
the resolutions before congress warn
ing Americans off belligerent nations
vessels because of the Teutonic pow
ers' new submarine campaign.
When the account of what Senator
Gore had said was carried to the
president, the following statement was
issued:
when the attention of the White
ments in Senator Cores speech the
president authorized an unqualified
denial of any uttarance to which any
such meaning could be attached"
An authoritative account of what
had happened at various conferences
between the president and the mem
hers of the senate and house said the
president had impressed on senator's
and representatives the view that the
United States must follow establish
ed international law in dealing with
the submarine issue, because If any
other course were followed, the Unit
ed states would be unable to steer
straight course in its dealings with
foreign nations.
Both sides in the war, the president
said, hal committed acts in retaliation
against acts OF the other side, which
were not in accord with Internal ma
law. The president declared it w3s
said that to warn Americans to keep
off armed ships of belligerent nations,
in effect, would acknowledge justifica-
ton for attacks on such ships.
In reply to questions at one of the
conferences, the president is under
stood to have said that following out
the notes CT the United States govern
ment, diplomatic relations mi 5ht be
broken off with a nation wh:cl cau3-
the death of American citizens III dis
regard of international law and the
stand of the United States.
The president added, it was sal !,
that he had been informed from GER
tain sources that breaking off diplo-
matte relations might precipitate war.
He said he could not certainly predict
what might follow, but that, despite
his earnest efforts to keep the United
States out of war. he must uphold
the rights of American citizens to the
freedom of the seas.
The president was said to have
been asked at one conference what
effect the entrance Of the United
States into the war would have. He
= tD bov rQnliaI thof IT
might shorten 1t.
1t was denied in well-informed
quarters that the president had any
intention of conveying the impression
that he desired the United States to
enter the war to shorten 1t, or for
any other reason.
On the contrary, he IS said to have
urged in the most vigorous possible
manner, his desire and hope that the
United States might keep out Of the
war. He is understood to have said
that he had made earnest efforts to
keep the U3itel States out OF war
since it started, and would CONTINUE
20 bend his every effort in that di
recion
In connection with the controversy,
the state department announced that
it had received advices that reports
are being circulated in Berlin. as com
ing IRON = ashington, that coTgr
stands five to one agai' st the pre-
lent in the present crisis. Officials
made their information known to show
the extent to wf.ich they believe Be-,
lin is being misinformed.
Tie storm brcke uneE pectedly W eli
Senator Stone, announcing that he
wa not in accord with tbs preside It's
dc nand fer a defeat of tie ar1ae,,
sip r.lations, proposed a means t.
let the Gore resolution come to vote
and Senator James announced tha
the administration forces had the
votes to defeat it. The defeat Of tie
resolutions is necessary, Presidenf
Wilson contends, if he is to be abb
to continue, with hope of success, his
negotiations on submarine warfare