The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-04-01
CONGRESS- FACES PROBLEMS.
FOREIGN RELATIONS AGAIN
DISTURBING TWO HOUSES.
Administration Leaders Insist That
President should be Left With Free
Hand.

Va q OSih8cISuL snip UcarluS american
citizens again are disturbing the lead
ers In congress. What appears to have
been the torpedoing Of the channel
steamer Sussex. coming soon after the
presidents victory in congress over
the warning issue, is regarded by
champions Of the proposal that Amer
leans should be warned not to travel
on belligerent ships. likely to provoke
revival Of discussion in congress.
Administration leaders, however,
insisted tonight that the president
should be left with q free hand to deal
with the case, and every effort will be
made to prevent agitation in congress-
Senate Republicans who conferred
Saturday regarding Mexican affairs
will confer again tomorrow with a
view to action towards enlargement Of
American military forces on the bor-
der. The Republicans have been DEL
uged with telegrams from border cit-
izens, who insist that military forces
left behind when the punitive cxpedi-
ton entered Mexico are inadequate.
The Republicans are seeking more In
formation as to actual conditions and
hope to outline q definite plan Of ac-
ton tomorrow. The minprity leaders
s4y they indorse the presidents course
ID regard to the pursuit, of Villa. but
will do everything in their, power to
influences the administration to send
moro troops to the border States.
Democratic leaders view the action
OF the. minority senator's as an effort
to. make political capital and to take
Advahtage Of an acute situation which
they say is already too much ngitated.
They Insist that the majority In com
GrSss stands ready to take any action
with respect to Mexico that develop
mentg may require and deprecate ef-
foftS to call out more troops II they
Art not actually needed because OF the
mttleading effect It might have on the
minds Of Mexicans. @s
b Leaders In both houses are hopeful
that foreign affairs will not monopo.
1l5e the attention Of congress just
when the legislative programme II
being whipped into workable shape.
The army reorganization bill will be
Submitted to the senate tomorrow,
when Senator Chamberlain will re-
port the house bill amended by sui!
Stituting the senate bill. An effort viii
hS made to get the bill up for general
nebate after the passage Of the Indian
appropriation bill. which is expected
S0Ihe time tomorrow. Fl BssDa
Z. In the house there are fears Of " q
prctracted session unless there is inA
tsliigcnt cooperation In the speeding
| up programme. Prompt consideration
| OF TINT prosra nue depends upon spe-
| cial rules to come from the rules corn.
mittee, constant attendance OF MEM
bers. tiShtenin8, of the lines Of debate,
tam work generally ana the tactics
OF the Republicans. Sc
" Members OF the minority, however,
are chaflng to get away early Tor tlis
coming campaigns and Will not be In
cltned to cause unnecessary delays
The house committees will be busy
this week. The rules committee Ii ex-
pected to consider the caucus plan
The naval committee will wind upi
hearings on the naval appropriation
bill. The Judiciary committee will
meet Tuesday with view to acting
on the Susan b. Anthony woman suf.
frage amendment.
The ways and means COMMITTEES
soon will be busy with the omnibus
revenue bill. which will include the
tariff commission bill, to be reintro.
duced tomorrow by Representative
Rainey Of Illinois. ss
The judiciary committee also has
the impeachment charges against Dis
trict Attorney Marshall of New York
and other business pending. t{
The appropriations committee has
virtually completed the fortifications
bill. the District Of Columbia and
other supply bills and deficiency
measure to provide approximately
100000 on account of the Mexican
expedition and. the expense Of bring
Ing Of the standing army up to its
maximum strength.
Chairman Burnett says the tmmi.
grafton bill will be passed Dy Tues.
day night. The rivers and harbors ap-
preparation bill, always the vehicle
OF lively debate. will follow it in the
house.