The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-05
Senator McCumber Offers Re-
solution Which, He Says,
Will Bring Question to Di-
rect Issue
REQUESTS CITIZENS
NOT TO TAKE RISKS
Recognizes That Ship May Arm
for Defense and Retain Status
of Unarmed Ship. But Says
Americans Should Not Jeo-
pardize Country's Peace

Washington. March A.-There Is
every indication tonight that the
Senate viii vote again on the
question whether Americans shall
he warned 10 keep of armed bel
iiger,nt vessels.
Administration leaders admit
ted that the vote by which the
Gore resolution, as predicted. was
tabled yesterday was insonclusiva
senator James Hamilton Lewis.
of Illinois, Democratic whip OF
the senate said:
Any one may offer n resolu-
ton just as senator c(umber
has done. and the Senate will he
confronted again with the same
proposition. l do not see how the
senate can escape a direct vote on
the question. Ii may come at any
time"
senator Mctnmber' rcsolu-
ton declares it the sense OF Con-
gross that merchant vessel
armed with n small stern gun for
defense has the status of an nm
armed vessel. but that citizens OF
the United States be requested To
refrain from travel ON such armed
the peace of the country.
VIII Press Vote.
Other resolutions to the same effect
will be introduced. Senator
said etonight;
II am going 10 press my resolution
10 Cote at the earliest moment pos
hbie n liz shorn OF all coliatera
questions. II liz clear-cut and 10 this
point and expresses the opinion o.
Congress on the one question OF Amer
cans travelling on armed merchant
men.
II am going 20 try to have debate
Upon II until it is exhausted so tina
he issue may be fairly and SQUARED,
net II makes no difference whether
he vote comes on adopting or reject
ng the resolution or On motion e
able. In either case II will be the &C
1on OF the Senate on the direct dues
ION, and that 10 what the Presiden
wAnta
This matter must come up agair
q the Senate, and l hope to see def
rite action taken on my resolution"
Senator McCumber's View.
Senator McCumber addressed
tho senate ON his resolution this
Afternoon. He said:
~ do not aSrcc with the Presi-
deut that 1t would be improper TO
suggest TO tho American travelling
pubic that they refrain from
doing that which by every princi-
ple OF patriotic duty thaS ought
to refrain from doing without any
su&x cstion from any source.
am not I'm accord with Ris views ms
to the full extent of our right to
control the metl,ods which may
be adopted by befiigcrents TO
prosecute their warfare to a sue
eesefHl issue. And i further be-
lieve that Congress, representing
the sentiment of the country, can
very properly give expression 10
its views. although. as l have sug-
gested, feel that just ut this
crucial and critical period of our
diplomatic controversy. VIC might
well have deferred our action un-
til the executive department had
announced either an agreement
or disagreement.
mo one questions what the
rule of international law hereto
fore has been. That rule IL that
merchant vessel, armed with
stern gun. for defense only, has
the same rights and the same
status as an unarmed merchant
vessel. That rule would forbid
such vessel being torpedoed or
sunk without notice by subma-
rine.
ut IL equally true that writers
Of International law agree that as
all nations are supposed to con-
form 10 international law and
practice obtaining before war.
and TO make their preparation for
war In the light OF such rules,
and I'm the expectation they will
he followed should war ensue:
therefore. the insistence by a neu-
trial power that such rule be
modified during the progress OF
the war would he an unneutral
art.
.sBut the science OF war may de
Felop so rapidly during a great world
|sruggle like that now prevailing ant
|uch exigencies involving the very lif
lf belligerent nation may arise a
Eould not only Justify. but necessitat
|hat nation to decline to follow
Fule adopted under conditions which
Ia longer prevail. or which are so ma
|erjally modified by new instrumen
h titles of warfare as To require 1
khange.
Existence May he at Stake.
"While neutral may do nothing
In weaken or modify the rule, Their
Continued on Fifth Page.)