The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1916-03-02
WILSON APPEALS
TO CONGRESS TOR
cONF|DElCE VOTE
Wants to Show Ger
many it Supports His
Foreign Policy.
WOULD DE EAT
w OULD DEF EAT
Anti-Admjnistration Measure
on Floor of House. .-Presi-
dent Writes to Mr.. Pou.

dent Writes to Mr.. Pou.
Washington, ID. C.-House
leaders today drafted for con-
sideration of the House meas
ure proposing that Congress eX-
press its confidence in the presi-
dents handling of the armed
meTcha nnmen controversy and
recognize that it is not matter
for legislative, but of executive
concern.
Washington, d. C..--At confer
ence at the white House this morning
President Wilson and the admins
tration leaders made plans for bring
ing the armed ship agitation in Con-
gress to an end Immediately with a
demonstration of unity to convince
Germany that the American Congress
stands behind the foreign policy of
the government.
The president reiterated to the
leaders that while the dissensions in
the American Congress over the ques-
ton of warming Americans not to
travel on armed shi. S were being
made, industrious useiof" in foreign
capitals, being pictured as evidence
that the country doas not support
the president in his stand his nego-
tiations with Germany embarrassing
and in fact cannot be continued.
Want Confidence Vote.
Confident that they can beat all
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. resolutions by
a heavy vote, the president and his
leaders framed plans to bring them
out on the floor OF the House, defeat
them, and put them through vote
of confidence in the president.
Making clear that heaconsiders the
president, and not Congress, charged
with the conduct of the foreign re-
lations of the United States, the pre-
sident, yesterday. wrote letter to
Representative Pou, acting chair
man of the House rules committee,
asking him to provide parliamentary
means for bringing the agitation out
into the open on the floor of the
House for a full discussion and
vote.
The presidents letter to Mr. Pou,
the signal that the administration
is ready to give Germany demon
stration of her unity. follows:
The Presidents Letter
"My Dear MIR. Pou: Inasmuch as
learn that Mr.. Henry, the chairman
of the COMMITTEES on rules, is absent,
! take the liberty of calling your at
ltention. as ranking member of the
comittee, to matter of grave con-
Germ to the country which can, ! be-
lieve, be handled. under the rules
of the House only by that committee.
THE report that there are divided
counsels iii Congress in regard to the
foreign policy of the government is
being made industrious use OF in
! foreign capitals. | believe that re-
port to be false, but so long as 1T is
anywhere credited, it cannot fail to
do the greatest harm and expose the
country to the most serious risks. L
+, therefore, feel justified in asking that
your committee permit me to urge
1 an early vote on the resolutions With
regard to travel on armed merchant
men. which have recently been so
much talked about, in order that
there may be afforded an Immediate
opportunity for full public discus
sion and action upon them and that
all doubts and conjectures may be
swept away and our foreign relations
once more cleared of damaging mis-
Understandings.
4 "The matter is of so grave impor-
,tance and lies SO clearly within the
field of legislative initiative that
venture to hope that your committee
will not think that | am taking un-
warranted liberty in making this sug-
gestion as to the business OF the
House and l very earnestly commend
it to their immediate consideration
Cordially and sincerely yours,
(signed) WOODROW WILSON,
Avoids Strength Test.
The president made it clear thai
he did not want vote on resolu
tion expressing support of his conduc'
of the diplomatic controversy and a:
a result of his position the CONFER
ence agreed that vote will be taker
on the rsolution warming American!
off armed ships. The administration
forces are sure they can beat 1t.
The president also discussed thu
, question with acting Chairman Pou
tof the rules committee. The presl
. dent asked that as soon as the HOUSE
foreign affairs committee had prepar
ed its resolution, the rules commit
tee bring in a rule for dlscussloi
and vote on the floor. The presiden
\ explained to the leaders that he hat
written to the rules committee, no
because he was dissatisfied with an.
action of the foreign affairs commit
tee. but because he thought it eS
pedient, as he realized that specla
(, rule would be necessary to prove tn
-Iidea worthy of immediate consldera
!; Congress is ohedient.
Y Speaker Clark and Majority Lead
: er Kitchin said no action could D.
taken in the House today and ina