The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-03-07

ance was on the previous question.
rh the previous question on the
present a substitute resolution which
would simply warn Americans of the
danger OF travelling on ships of the
nations at war This does not go into
All the questions raised by the Me-
Lemore resolution, but Will bring the
House to a square vote upon the prop
osition which President Wilson asked
Congress to accord q full discussion
and express Itself squarely.
III the previous question is not de-
toated, then the House Will not do
the very thing asked by the President
namely, that 1t give him an unquali-
Md opinion as to the rights OF Amer
leans to travel on these armed me. .
chant ships.
eve arc not confronted today with
aigreat crisis involving the honor of
the nation. This IL diplomatic sit
uatton. Tho President says his arm
has been paralyZed because OF the
agitation In Congress over this issue.
Calls Power Closed.
"The Administrations letter written
on January ~. 1915, to the powers at
war touching the submarine warfare
really closed the Admln'stration's power
70 insist further upon the right OF It's
citizens to take passage on armed mer-
chant ships. That letter of Secretary
Lansing said there was no essential
dinerencc between an armed merchant
ship and an armed cruiser.
who Is there will contend that an
American citizen has a right aboard an
armed cruiser of a nation at war?
The handling of diplomatic AFFAIRS Is
solely an executive duty. The Execu-
tive at this moment Is asking Congress
% assume n diplomatic function and
a.eclare that the citizens of, this repub-
TIC not only have the right, but may,
with impunity. exercise II, and take
passage on these armed merchantmen
and these merchantmen are armed not
only for defense. but, IL need be. for
offense."
Mr.. Campbell closed with a plea for the
defeat Of the previous question that the
House might have opportunity to vote
upon the real Issue involved and not
upon q faulty resolution as made priv
LEGGED by the Democrats of the Rules
Committee.
Acting Chairman Pou. OF the Rules
Committee, told the House that the Nc
Lemore resolution had been tele-
Sraphed to the capitals Of Europe and
mad paralyzed the arm of the Tx &.
ecutive In dealing with foreign nations.
because there accompanied the resolu-
ton reports that Congress was not be-
hind the President of the United
States"
Thinks II Is Final.
ut IL charged" continued Mr.. Pou
that the McIemore resolution docs
not raise the real issue. We believe II
does because II says that Americans
travelling on armed ships do so at their
rs there memcer here who would
stand for such a doctrine as that? Is
there a human being In this country
who would SO rclinuuish our rights!
The President Is standing for the
sovereignty of this nation, he IS stand
ing for all that goes to make up -re
sovereignty of great government
When the American flag means no pro-
lection 10 the citizens of this country
II means the contempt of the civilized
world for q nation that will not pro
iect Its citizens.
There has teen another Charge that
President Wilson wants war. All tie
inips OF hell never devised more ir'
famous lici
mo President except Abrar am Lin.
such as Woodrow Wilson has Under.
\ gone in the last twelve months"
Mr.. rou se!d President Taft had re-
Gently advised Americans to utand te'
"'Mr. Taft's entire course since he left
office has been characterized by Sren
patriotism end the finest tacte,' salt
Mr.. Pou. And II Is remarkable fac
men who have boon observation-disclosures
welt and Taft, forme" Executives ant
, the present Executive all stand to-
Eethcr as IL unit today for the pro
;ectiun 49, preservation of the rights
Of America:I citizens"
Issue Is Clear Cut.
CONGRESSMAN Harrison Of Mississippi
followed Mr.. Campbell. Mr.. Harrison
said.
The issue is clear cut and we'll de
fihed. BY your vote you will SAY
whether YOU are to continue to embar,
rass and hamstrinG the President In hi
dinIomatic negotiations or whether yoI
propose to rise above narrow nar;i'
sanship to the hei6hts of true patriot
ism. II the rule is defeated the dcsir'
Of the President to get vote on thu
motion to table cannot he had and ycl
send JOY to people In foreign capitals
and stab the President In the back
He declared that II THE country yield
ed to Germany In the submarine. con
tFpversy the whole fabric Of inter
national law would he destroyed HI
denounced as ridiculous the charge tina
the President wanted war.
How ridiculous Is the charge tina
the President wants war said Mr.
Harrison. what a ridiculous charg,
aKainst that man who has practice;
peace, not preached It,"
and the clamor for war that followed
and described how the President haC
fought To quiet the country. He saiC
n Congress had been in session TIL
reciylessness and carclessness Of som'
Of the members here would have force.
a break In diplomatic relations.
CONGRESSMAN Chipperfield OF Illinois
was the next speaker.
"a question has been presented by IN
President to Congress" said he. which
it decided according to his reques
meGns either state of war or grea
national humiliation"
Not towards and PoltrOOns.
Oyer one hundred million souls In thi
country. he said, prayed for peace. an
the man who wanted peace was neithe
a coward nor a poltroon.
"There Is no more dangerous man,
he continued, than the man who insist
ON the full technical measure of hi
ri6hts without regard to the effect 1t ha
on others. But such a man Is either
fool or n knave, or more
Congressman Gardner OF Massachu
1.-THE whole fight is on the previou
question. The rule is absolutely fair.
the previous question is voted down til
opponents OF the Administration will TT
10 get this matter into Committee 9
the Whole Why? In Committee of I'll
Whole there is no yea and nay Vot'
No wonder they want to gea II int
Committee of the Whole House"
He urged the House to stand by I'll
views of the President and the two e'
presidents of the United States