Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-02-26
HOUSE is STRONG
FOR ARMED SHIP
WARNING MOVE
Clark, Ktchin and Flood Tell Will
son Resolution Will Pass Two
to One if 1t is Brought
to Vote.
PRESIDENT is STANDING PAT
Leaders Told Congress Should Not
Embarrass Executive by
Action Now.
GERMANY MAY DELAY ACTION

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.--Presi-
dent Wilson reiterated his opposition
10 any action in congress warning
Americans off armed ships In con
ference early today with Speaker
Clark, Majority Leader Kitchin and
Chairman Flood of the house foreign
affairs committee. and they in turn
told the president that il such a reso-
luton were brought to vote in the
house now It would pass by major
ity of two TO one.
The president was unshaken in his
position that congress should take
no action embarrassing his conten-
tion 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.
Tho house leaders went away telling
the president nothing would be done to-
day, but they ventured no predictions for
uatlon was serious and could not yet
tell how far the sentiment In congress
would he swayeo by the publication OF
the presidents views in his letter TO
Senator stone.
speaker Makes Statement.
when the conference was over Speaker
Clark said there was a rumor that Ger
many would postpone the beginning OF
the new submarine campaign until April
a. Il ~
say whether he got his information
from tho president.
"Tho sum and substance OF the con-
ference" Speaker STARK said. ''outsIde of
an explanation made ms TO the temper
OF the house regarding the diplomatic
situation with Germany and some argu-
ment on both sides. is fully set out In
Senator stones letter TO the president
and the presidents letter to Senator
stone.
1--WE explained to the president how
the house felt. In our Judgment. told
the president that this warning resolu-
ticn would carry two a. one IL they ever
got chance for vote. Some enthu-
slastio gentlemen I said thought II
would carry three 10 one.
"of course. there was great deal of
the rights OF Americans on the seas and
precedents. AT the conclusion OF the
conference Il was very clear to all that
the president stands on his letter 70
Senator stone
Germany May Postpone Action.
"But there are rumors which were dis
oussed that Germany may postpone en-
forcement OF the new admiralty order 10
sink all armed ships from March either
to April / or the middle of March.
think the chances are that
Germany will postpone this threatened
performance. This will give more time
for consideration Of this matter.
I'VE told the president that in the event
OF such postponement all action in
congress certainly would be postponed
Meantime, these resolutions would re-
main in statu quo"
Regarding the policy OF action in con-
gress in case Germany adheres 70 It's an
nouncement that the admiralty order will
be made effective March 1, Speaker Clark
said II would be difficult TO got the warn
ing resolution out Of a committee for
action. and that there was no way for the
issue TO get before the house today.
"Of COURSE" he continued. someone
might try unanimous consent. but that
would be ridiculous. because there would
be many objections TO such a course.
ut IL obvious that It would be impossi-
BILE TO get unanimous consent for con-
slderation of a warning resolution, Ic
the resolution should be reported from the
foreign affairs committee It would take
It's place on the calendar unless the rules
committee should interfere. The reso-
luton is i'm no way privileged and II
would go to the foot OF the calendar.
/ That would mean we could not get TO It
1 Continued on Page Five. Column one.)