Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-01-04
CONGRESS REAssEMBLEs
At MOST CRITICAL TIME
General Feeling of Uneasiness Over
Gravity OF Foreign Affairs
at Present Moment.
STONE CoNFERs WITH LANSING
Returning Members Talk of Little
But consequences That Might Re-
suit From Sinking OF the Persia,
With Loss OF American Lives.

WASHlNGTON, January 3.-Coneress
rcassembles tomorrow in The midst
of an international! situation. which
rival political leaders admitted to-
has confronted tho nation. Returning
members talked Of little but conse-
Qu"nces that might result from the
sinking of the British steamer Persia
in the mediterranean with loss Of
American lives. and the strained diplo-
matte relations between the United
States and Austria.
Although administration leaders
We're uniformly inclined TO proceed
cautiously, and to await positive in
formation. there was a general feeling
of uneasiress among Senators and Rep
resentatives over the gravity OF foreign
affairs.
Senator Stone. chairman of the Sen
ate Foreign Relations COMMITTEES con-
ferrcd with Secretary Lansing at the
State Department. and will seek a con-
ference with President Wilson before
meeting of the committee is held on
Wednesday 10 begin consideration of
matters pertaining TO the diplomatic
affairs of the nation. II seems assured
that the committee will take up the
resolution submitted by Senator Hoke
Smith. calling for an inquiry into Great
Britain's interfcrcnccs with neutral
commerce. and the amendment by Sena.
tor Lodge to investigate destruction
OF The Lusitania and other acts by
belliserents resulting i'm destruction Of
American lives.
SEES NO ORJECTIoS
TO EITHER OF MEASURES
"Of course. we must consider those
resolutions" said Senator stone to-
night They are OF the calendar. and
must be disposed OF. I do not know
the sentiment of the committee. hut /
see no objection to Congress having
all information called for in the rcsolu-
ton of Senator Smith or the amend
inent by Senator Lodge.
Il talked to Secretary Lansing about
the sinking of the Persia. but we can
do nothing with that until we get all
the facts"
Senator Stone also discussed with
Mr.. Lansing the long pending Nicara-
guam and Colombian treaties concern.
ing which there still is persistent op-
position by some Senators. including
Republican members OF the Foreign
Relations Committee The Missouri
Senator wants these treaties disposed
of one way or another. If il is ap-
parent that opposition is ovcrwhelm-
ing. ii is proposed TO discover this as
soon rs possible. so that further time
may not be wasted in attempting TO
force their ratification. Another sub
ject OF discussion was the nomination
of Henry +. Fletcher tn lie ambassador
10 Mexico. Senator I5orah. a member
of the committee, Will strcnuously op-
pose MIR. Flctcher's confirmation. on the
ground that no ambassador to Mexico
should be named by the United States
until conditions in the southern re-
public are more settled.
ACTIVITY AT ONCE OVER
NATIONAL PREPAItI;DNEsS
Although foreign affairs ovcrshadow
everything else in interest for the mo-
mcnt activity over national prepared
ness will begin at once. Hearings will
be held tomorrow before the House
Naval Affairs Committee on the annual
appropriation bill. the first subject to
he taken up being that Of yards and
docks, including the project for q big
dry dock at Norfolk. Va The Senate
Naval Committee will meet to consider
Senator Tillmnn's bill for erection OF
n government armor plate factory. ON
Thursday the House Committee on
Military Affairs will meet. and Sccrc-
tary Garrison Will, appear to explain his
plan for reorganization OF the army.
Other legislation ready for considera-
ton includes the waterpowcr and min
crai land leasing bills and the farm