The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-03-03
STONES LETTER PRESIDENT
OUTLINES HIS UNDERSTANDING
OF EXECUTIVES ATTITUDE.
Strives to Prevent Congress from Do
ing Anything to Embarrass Dip
Iomatic Negotiations.

Washington, Feb. 26. - Senator
Stones letter to the president follows:
Dear Mr.. President: Since Sena
tor Kern, Mr.. Flood and l talked with
you on Monday evening, l am more
troubled than l have been for many
day. | have not felt authorized to
report our conversation, but | have at
tempted, in response to numerous In
quiries from my colleagues, to state to
them, within the confidence that they
should observe, my general under
standing of your attitude. l have stat.
ed my understanding of your attitude
to be substantially as follows:
Wilson's Stand Explained.
THAT while you would deeply re-
greet the rejection by Great Britain
of Mr.. Lansing's proposal for the dis
armament of merchant vessels of the
Allies with the understanding that
Germany and her allies would not fire
upon merchant ship if she hauled to
when summoned, not attempting to
CoSoPSB aud thdl lnC dCI iidh al APo
would only exercise the admitted right
of visitation and capture and would
not destroy the captured ship except
reasonably assured of the safety Of
passengers and crew, you were of the
opinion that if Great Britain and her
allies rejected the proposal and in
sisted upon arming her merchantships
she would be within her rights under
international law. Also that you
would feel disposed to allow armed
vessels to be cleared from our portsi
also that you are not favorably dis
posed to the idea of this government
taking any definite step towards pre-
venting American citizens from en-
barking upon armed merchant vessels.
Furthermore that you would consider
1t your duty, If German Warship fire
upon an armed merchant vessel of the
enemy upon which American citizens
were passengers, to hold Germany to
strict account.
Congress Deeply Concerned.
81 think that l should say to you
deeply concerned and disturbed by
what they read and hear. have heard
Of some talk to the effect that some
are saying that after all it may be
possible that the program of prepared
hess, so-called, has some relation to
ust such a situation as we are now
jailed upon to meet ! have coun-
selIed all who have talked with me
% keep cool; that this whole business
IS still the subject of diplomacy, and
that you are striving to the utmost
to bring about some peaceabIe adjust
ment, and that in the meantime con-
5ress should be careful not to ball
If hasty and iI-considered action.
Defines Personal Attitude.
However, the situation in congress |
S such as to excite a sense of deep |
oncern in the minds Of careful and
thoughtful men. l have thought that |
is due to you to say this much. /
hink you understand my personal at
itude with respect to this subject. As
much and az deeply az ! would hate to
disagree with you, ! find II
fficult for my sense of duty and re-
to consent to plunge this
alton into the vortex of this world
var because Of the unreasonable OBJ
tinacy of any Of the powers on the
ne hand, or on the other hand, of
amounting to sort of
ira The rAnIIhItc |
{ our people recklessly risking their
yes on armed beIiigerent ships.
annot escape the conviction that such
,ould be so monstrous as to be in
efensibIe.
Wishes to Help President.
81 want to be with you and to stand
y you, and l mean to do so up to the
list limit, and / want to talk with you
nd Secretary Lansing with the ut
lost frankness-to confer with you
nd have your judgment and counsel,
nd want to be kept advised as to
lie course of events, as it seems to
lie | am entitled to be. In the mean
me am striving to prevent anything
cling done by any senator or member
alculated to embarrass your diplo-
attic negotiations. Up to the last
Oh should be left free to act dipIo-
as you think for the best to
title the question involved. ! need
ardIy say that my wish is to help,
ot to hinder you.
With the highest regard and most
consideration, | have the
onor, Mr.. President, to be,
Very sincerely yours, II