Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-02-25


mature decision OF the people through
their Representatives in Congress of
the causes and justification for such
declaration; and,
whereas, an assault upon the ma
tional honor would be a justification
for y declaration of war and,
whereas, on one man Is the sole
custodian Of the national honor.
"Whereas the issue of war IL too
momentous and fraught with too
grave consequences to the people to
be decided by any one man, and
whereas the people OF this country
are not seeking war and do not de-
sire 10 be led into t. hut II involved
would be united as one man in sup
port OF the Government, and
'whereas, by the arbitrary act or
demand of its Chief Executive they
may be placed in a situation from
which they cannot withdraw without
humiliation and be involved in war
for causes the Justice OF which they
have not been permitted to pass upon;
therefore, he II
'Resolved, that Il is the sense Of
the Senate of the United States OF
America that any issue claimed 10
AFFECT the national honor should he
referred for its decision to the Con-
aress of the United states and no
uItimatum should he sent to any
belIigerent power and no severance OF
automatic relations he brought by
executive action until after the advice
and consent of Congress-"
Senator Cores resolution to keep Amer
teams off armed merchantmen was also In
froduced today on Senator Cores mo-
tlon Il was laid on the table until TO-
morrow Despite the tension caused Dy
the reading of the resolution, the Senate
held to its agreement of yesterday ana
refrained from any discussion OF the IN
IVVNNy yNafNtl q n
the reading of the resolution the senate
went into secret session.
The first effort to discuss the interna-
ffonal submarine issue on the floor OF the
House was smothered today by Speaker
CIarlt Representative Hubert, of New
York, sought to have put through mo-
tion to print 5000 additional copies of the
resolution of Representative McLemore
warning Americans Off belligerent ships
CABINET BACKS PRESIDENT.
The Cabinet today assured President
Wilson that its members were behind
him to q man in the decision to refuse
10 permit congressional interference in
the international situation. Even the
members who have been inclined TO beheNe
that concillation tactics would be worth
trying indorsed the declarations contained
In the Presidents letter to Senator stone
and his warnings to the House leaders
who conferred with him earlier in the day.
BRYAN TAKES STAND.
influence of former Secretary of State
Bryan was swung against the president
in the House A telegram from Bryan
Endorsing the plan to warn Americans off
armed ships was received by Representa-
tive Bailey and circulated among House
members on the floor
Bryan also stated he will reach Wash
ington March 4, make an address on
peace in local theatre and remain here
until March 6. Bryan's friends de-
clared however, he would not make an
active fight for passage of warning
resolution.
Bryan's telegram said:
'If Congress has the right to declare
war it certainly has the right to promote
peace by restraining citizens from taking
unnecessary risks
When the House convened today Chair
man Flood of the Foreign Relations Com
mittee, and other Democratic leaders were
on guard to block any open discussion in
the House.
Although todays conference at the
White House was arranged at the request
of the House leaders, it was learned that
the President monOpolZed most of the
conversation He complained that the
'Ioose talk of certain Senator's and Rep
resentatives was really responsible for the
entire controversy and insisted that the
agitation in Congress for legislation of
the character proposed was IAN unwar-
ranted interference with the constitutional
rights of the executive branch of the Gov
ernment by the legislative division"
CONFERENCE FAILS.
The conference failed utterly to restore
amicable relations between the White
House and the Congressional leaders.
Speaker Clark and Leader Kitchin are out
spoken advocates of the suggested legis.
iation. while Representative Flood favored
the proposition In a general way But the
leaders agreed to hold the House I'm check
as long as possible and in the meanwhile
the Administration is hopeful that public
sentiment throughout the country will
change the attitude of the advocates OF
the proposed legislation.
REPORTS that Senator Stone would re-
sign as chairman of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee because of his diff
ferences with the President were met by
a heated denial from the Senator today.
Speaker Clark was designated to do
the talking for the House leaders. He
declared that President Wilson had been
told hatly that in the present temper of
the House a resolution warning Ameri-
cans Off belligerent ships would pass the
House two to one. The speaker said
'The Presidents letter TO Senator
Stone, and Senator Stones letter TO the
President set forth the sum and sub
stance of the conference outside of an
explanation made as to the temper of
the House regarding the diplomatic situ-
alton with Germany and some argument
on both sides.
WOULD PASS IN HOUSE
I'VE told the President how the House
felt in our judgment | told him that
this warning resolution would carry two
TO one If Il ever reached vote on the floor.
Some of its supporters. l said, thought it
would carry by three 10 one.
"Of course, there was a great deal of
talk about International law as TO the
rights OF Americans on the seas and in
ternational presidents When the con-
ference closed it was very clear to all of
us that the President stands firmly on
his letter to Senator Stone,
But there were mentioned and dis
cussed certain rumors that Germany may
postpone enforcement of the new Ad-
miralty order TO sink all armed ships from
March 1 10 March l5 or until April l. /
think the chances are that Germany will
postpone the threatened performance.