Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-25
KAISER WILL PUT OFF
NEW SEA WARFARE
Continued from Page One.)

lTOIl dkC ohC.J
far the sentiment in congress would
be swayed by the publication of the
presidents letter to Senator Stone.
Clark Tells of RumOr.
After the conference Speaker Clark
said there was a rumor that Germany
would postpone the beginning of the
new submarine campaign until April
l or the middle of March. He would
not say whether he got his informa-
ton from the president.
The sum and substance of the con-
ference Speaker Clark said out
side of an explanation made as to the
temper Of the house regarding the
diplomatic situation with Germany and
some argument on both sides, is fully
set out in Senator Stones letter to
the president and the presidents let
ter to Senator Stone.
I'VE explained to the president
how the house felt, in our judgment.
l told the president that this warn
ing resolution would carry two to one
if they ever got chance for vote.
Some enthusiastic gentlemen,I said,
thought it would carry three to one.
"Of course there was great deal
of talk about international law re-
garding the rights of Americans on
the seas, and presidents. At the con-
clusion of the conference it was very
clear to all that the president stands
on his letter to Senator Stone.
But there are rumorS which were
discussed that Germany may post
pone enforcement of the new admiral
ty order to sink all armed ships from
March !, either to April l or the
middle of March. l 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 a pOstponement all &C,
ton in congress certainly would be
postponed. Meantime this resolution
would remain in status quo
ftdEu u UPt nPSulullDH Vuts
Regarding the possibility of action
in case Germany adheres to her an
nouncement that the admiralty order
/ will be made effective March l, Speak,
, er Clark said it would be very difficult
I to get the warning resolution out OF
a committee for action and that there
was no way for the issue to get before
the house today.
! If the resolution should be re-
ported from the foreign affairs COM
mittee," Mr.. Clark said, "it would
take its place on the calendar unless
the rules committee should interfere.
/ The resolution is in no way privileged
and it would go to the foot of the cal
endar. That would mean we could
not get to it before July or August
The only remedy. if action is to be
had on this resolution soon, is the
committee on rules"
Majority Leader Kitchin and Rep
resentative Flood declined to discuss
what took place at the White house
They said Speaker Clark had beer
selected to issue all statements. 1t is
known, however, that both of them
advised the president that sympathy
for the resolution was strong in the
! house.
Must Uphold American Rights.
The president told the house lead
ers he felt the United States mus
stand for the right of Americans tt
the freedom of the seas, and that thu
honor of the nation must be protected
at any eventuality. He said he would
soon be able to conduct the negotia
lions with Germany in such a wa,
that war would be avoided and re
iterated his hope that Germany woult
explain the apparent discrepancie.
between the assurances previousl,
given and the new warning that armed
merchantmen would be sunk withou
warning after Feb. 30. He told tn,
leaders the position of the United
States would be weakened if congress.
took action such as had been proposed
Speaker Clark, Mr.. Kitchin and Mr.
Flood all expressed the hope that tn
United States would not go to wa
over the armed ship issue but the,
left the White house saying they be
lleVed the situation serious.
Talks With Morgenthau.
The president laid the issue befor
the leaders in plain language, and the
told him of the strong sentiment il
congress. The president spent the en-
tire morning discussing phases of tn
foreign situation. He saw Henry Nor
genthau, American ambassador t
Turkey, before taking up the interna
tional situation with the cabinet.
+, Administration officials said that tn
presidents warning in his letter t
Senator Stone that the United State
must defend International law fro1
lnfraction by any nation or group {
nations was directed toward all tn
European belligerents The govern
ment is about ready, it was said. I
forward to Great Britain the contra
= band note which has been under PREF
n aration for weeks and will push vigol
= ously the protests already mad
Z. against seizure of American mails.
: Stone Not RufiIed.
Senator Stone said today he woul
u continue to do all he could to prever
Il open discussion.
The time is not opportune." he sal
e body the jim jams in this situation