The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-02-25
Urges Members TO Issue Warns
ing to Americans.
In Direct Opposition to Policy
Advocated by Wilson.
but WOODROW IS iJNSWERVED
Is Told House Is Two to One
Against His Plan.
Leaders Leave White House De-
claring Situation Grave.
| GERMANY POSTPONES THREAT
New U-BOat Raid on Merchants
men Deferred a Month.
Maintain Americans Rights on
Sea Is Executives Demand.
Is Told House Is Two to One
Against His Plan.
Leaders Leave White House De-
claring Situation Grave.
GERMANY POSTPONES THREAT
New U-BOat Raid on Merchants
men Deferred a Month.
Maintain Americans Rights on
Sea Is Executives Demand.

Washington, Feb. 25.-Tele-
grams to congressman from Will
liam Jennings Bryan supporting
the movement for warning
Americans off armed ships be-
gan arriving today. Represent
tative Bailey of Pennsylvania re-
ceived one and planned to read it
from the floor.
Representative Bailey. after a con-
ference with Majority Leader Kitchin,
however simply made public the tele-
gram, which follows:
II honestly hope that congress will
speedily announce legislation refusing
passports to Americans travelling on
belligerent ships, or still better, refus-
ing clearance to belligerent ships car
rying American passengers.
Refuse Clearance Papers.
mo owner of belligerent ships will
claim that he has the right to safe
guard contraband cargo with Ameri-
can lives and no citizen should be per-
mitted to endanger the peace of the
nation at a time like this. Ours is the
probably be the mediator when the
time comes for mediation. II would
be a crime against civilization as well
as against our own people to become
involved in this war and thus loan our
army and navy to a European mon
arch to use in settling his quarrels-
"If congress has the right to declare
war it certainly has the right to pro-
mote peace by restraining citizens
.~faLra A
mayor keeps the people Of his city out
of the danger zone during riot Can
our government afford to do less when
the world is in riot?'
That is right" Representative
Bailey quoted Mr.. Kitchin saying
when he read the telegram.
Confers With Leaders.
President Wilson reiterated his on
position to any action in congress
warning Americans off armed ships in
a conference early today with Speaker
Clark Majority Leader Kitchin and
Chairman Flood of the house foreign
affairs committee. They in turn told
the president that if such a resolution
were brought to a vote in the house at
this time it would be passed by
majority of two to one.
| The president was mistaken in his
position that congress should take no
action embarrassing his contention
/ that the rights of Americans on the
seas must be upheld at any cost and
repeated what he had written last
night to Senator Stone. The house
! leader told the president nothing
would be done today but they ven
tured no predictions for the future
/ They admitted that the situation was
serious and could not forecast how far
the sentiment in congress would be
swayed by the publication of the
presidents views in his letter to Sem
ator Stone.
Postpone Raid Law.
! When the conference was over
| Speaker Clark said there was q
! rumor that Germany would postpone
the beginning of the new submarine
campaign until April / or the middle
of March. He would not say whether
he got his information from the presi-
dent.
"The sum and substance of the con-
I ference" Speaker Clark said. out
side of an explanation made as to the
I temper of the house regarding the d.
pIomatic situation with Germany and
/ some argument on both sides, is fully
set out in Senator Stones letter to
the president and the presidents let
ter to Senator Stone.
I'VE explained to the president how
| the house felt. in our judgment told
| the president that this warning reiso-
luton would carry two to one il they
ever got a chance for a vote.
/ AT the conclusion Of the confer-
/ ence it was very clear to all that the
president stands on his letter to Stone.
I'VE told the president that in the
event of such a postponement all ac-
ton in congress certainly would be
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