New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-24
Fear That Wilson Will
Fight U-BOat Order
Causes Panic.
WARN AMERICANS
OFF SHIPS, DEMAND
Committee Members to
Present Appeal to Presi-
dent To-day.
From The Tribune Bgresu.l

From The Tribune Blresu.l
Washington, Feb. 23.-Fear ruled
at both ends Of the Capitol to-day.
War with Germany was the spectre
conjured up by almost hysterical
members of Congress following the
statement that President Wilson
was through note writing and would
insist on upholding the right Of
American citizens TO travel on
armed ships.
This statement was made by Sem
ator Stone, chairman of the For
eign Relations Committee of the
Senate, and by Chairman Flood OF
the House Foreign Affairs Commit
tee. A frightened delegation Of
Missourians at once waited on Sem
ator Stone to know the worst. He
told the representatives that he
would not follow any such leader
ship" as that now taken by the Pres
ident, which might involve the coun-
try in war.
Although more secretiye than
Senator Stone, Mr.. Flood inspired
just as much fear, and it was soon
learned that he stood with Senator
Stone against the alleged determi-
nation Of the President to protect
American rights.
Stone and Flood were being inter-
viewed by Senators and Represent
atives most Of the day, and before
the adjournment Of the two houses
American rights were not worth ,
cents on the dollar, if they had TO
be asserted or maintained by any
thing to be done by members Of Con-
gresS.
Eleven Hold Secret Session.
The climax was reached when
eleven Democratic members Of the
House Foreign Affairs Committee,
in secret session. unanimously
adopted a resolution stating it TO be
the overwhelming sentiment that
warning should be issued to Amori-
can citizens to keep off armed ships
of the belligerents. Chairman
Flood was instructed to call on the
President at 10 o'clock tomorrow
morning and advise him Of this ac-
ton and Of the sentiment Of men,
bers of the House generally.
Only two Democratic members OF the
committee were absent when this sc-
ton was taken-Linthicum Of Mary
land, and Harrison. Of Mississippi.
The members who voted 10 yield
American rights when they interfered
with German demands, and to submit
to the slaughter of American men.
women and children if liner carrying
defensive gun should be torpedoed.
were: Henry D. Flood. Virginia;
Cyrus Cline, Indiana; William s. Good
win, Arkansas; Charles VI. Stedmsn,
North Carolina; Charles b. Smith, New
York; J. Randall Walker. Georgia;
Dorsey ". Shackleford, Missouri.
Adolph J. SABBATH. Illinois; J. willard
Ragsdale, South Carolina; George ".
Loft, New York, and George Huddle-
ston. Alabama.
4 few cool headed friends Of the ad-
miistration in the House are confident
that the President Will make personal
appeal 10 the members to stand by him.
on the ground that passage Of a resolu-
tion absolying the government from re-
sponsibility for Americans who insist
on travelling on armed merchantmen
would be a direct reputation of bis
handling Of the foreign situation.
Would Weaken Administration.
He will declare to Congress, they
say, that he is in position TO know
the situation better than the members
do, and that action by Congress in d.
rect opposition to his will and judg-
ment would terribly weaken the hand
Of the administration in future diplo-
matte negotiations.
However, great majority Of tho
members OF the House are almost hys-
terical over tho situatiou They arc
firmly convinced that If the President
maintains his position. aud Congress-
does not adopt resolution forbidding
Americans 10 travel on armed merchant
vessels a, the peril OF losing the pro-
lection Of The government, that tho
delicate diplomatic situation with Ger
many will be strained 90 the breaking
point. In short, they are convinced
that the United States will be forced
into war with Germany II the Presi-
dent does not alter his position, and
that the only thing Congress can do to