Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-02-24

Washington, Feb, 23-- Agitation IN
congress for action warning Americans
off armed ships of the European bel
ligerents suddenly grew to such pro-
portions that democrats Of the foreign
affairs committee voted tp canvass the
sentiment of the aouse on several
pending resolutions Of hat nature.
Sentiment In the senate IN favor Of
some such action also was expressed
openly but at the end Of day Of
surprises tension and agitation such
az has not been seen In congress In
some time the word came that Pres
ident Wilson still was unalterably OPP
posed TO any such action py congress
and that he would only be embarrassed
thereby in the negotiations with Ger
many
Nothing Determined Upon.
To widely circulated suggestions that
the situation had reached a point
where the president would soon lay
II before congress that Secretary Lans-
ing might in some wny define the at
titudc of the government in a com-
municatun to senator Stone and that
a time had been fixed within which
the United States would expect Ger
many TO signify her intention Ia
abandon The announced Intention tn
sink armed merchant ships without
warninL. the uniform statement WAS
made officially that nothing had been
determined upon; that the situation
though grave, still was a waiting one,
and that no final position would he
until Berlin was heard
from.
The sudden developments ut the
capitol brought surprise aud appre-
hension to the administration leaders.
While confronted with the possibility
Of congressional interference with all
its grave aspects ranging from a de-
fectlon from the administration policy
to downright embarrassment Of the
president and the secretary Of state.
the leaders were confident they would
control the situation and leave the ex-
ecutive branch Of the government free
to carry ON diplomatic negotiations
with Germany.
High Tension Apparent.
At no time today did the question
come out openly on the floor of either
the house or the senate. but about 4
score of congressman who announced
they were In favor Of warning Ameri-
cans, even If II involved a repudia-
ton OF the administration policy, If
thereby they thought war would be
aVerted kept both houses IN a state
of tension that practically blocked bus
mess.
All the demonstrations were IN The
democratic ranks and there was no
open show of sentiment among the
republicans. It was indicated how
ever, that Republican Leader Mann
sympathizcd with President Wilson's
policy and that any outbreak wnuld
have TO reckon with his forces
From apparently authentic sources
came statements tonight HAT The pres
ident was determined that the dispute
pending with Gcfmany be settled
without prolonged negotiations. He isl
known to believe, however, that the
breaking Off of diplomatic relations
with Germany means war and there
will he no Undue haste in handling the
situation involving such a possibility
Administration View.
The administration view is that 4
broad and Important principle is IN
vulved in The right of Americans tn,
travel ON bellieerent merchantmen
and that this right must not be
abandoned
Developments are expected mo-
moniariB Tomorrow may bring
Germans's reply To the request 1t
the United States made last week
through Ambassador Won Bernstorfi
fer assurance that the notices to sink
armed merchantmen after February
eg. does NOT nullifN previous pledges
given In the Arabic ana Lusltania ne
gutiations. official adviccs from Ber-
lin have indicated that Germany viii
reply that previous assurances VIII not
be- affected but that they applied on'y
ta unarmed ships and probably viii
ask the Am@ican government for It's
definition of defensive armamen3
which may be carried by a merchant
man without sacrificing it's peacrful
character
The state department VIII take 40
action pending The receipt of this re-
sponsc ana officials also are await
lug with interest the arrival Of GER
tain appendices Ia Germany's most
recent declaration whlch are coming
from Rerln by mail only six days
remain, however, before the new or
der to submarine commanders goes
into effect. There have been strong
intimdions that before the end Of