The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-03-01

would be deliberate abdlcation of
our hitherto proud position as spokes-
man. even amidst the turmoil Of war,
for the law and the right. It would
make everything this government has
attempted and everything that it has
achieved during this terrible struggle
OF nations meaningless and futile.
"lt Is important to reflect that IL in
this instance we allowed expediency
to take the place Of principle the door
would inevitably be opened to still
further concessions. Once accept o.
single abatement Of right and many
other humiliations, would certainly
follow. and the whole fine fabric OF
International law might crumble un-
der our hands piece by piece. What
we are contendinG for in this matter
IL OF the very essence OF the things
that have made America O sovereign
nation. She can not yield them with
out concedins her own impotency as
a nation and making virtual surren-
der Of her Independent position among
the nations Of the world. ~
II am speaking. my dear senator,
In deep solemnity. without heat, with
q clear consciousness of the high re-
sponsibilities Of my ONCE and as your
sincere and devoted friend. II wa
should'unhappily diffsr. we shall ar.
Ter = friends, hut who're Issues = mo-
syz,,
Spsax Asr minds without reservation.
Faithfully yours. 1'
Woodrow Wilson"
The president wrote his letter, dur
ing the afternoon. shutting himself
up In hin study while congressional
leaders vainly attempted to get him
on the telephone to toll him of de-
vslopnents at the capitol and arrange
for the call Of the house leaders. He
continued to write after telephone
Conferences with cabinet officers ond
other cloSe advisers. His decision was
70 end all speculation as to what the
position Of the government was ana to
let. congress and the country know
that the administration believed the
United States could do nothing but
stand behind the right Of its citizens
to the freedom of the seas.
At the state department today It
was stated that In It's international
aspects the situation has not changed
In the slightest degree for three or
four days. Officials said nothing had
been heard from Germany In re-
sponae to the request of the United
States for assurances that previous
pledges given in the Lusieania and
Arabsc negotiations would not be null
lifed by the new campaign against
armed ships. Nt.
Confidential advices from Berlin.
however. have indicated that Ger
many would reply that all assurances
previously given would be observed
but that they applied only to unarmed
vessels. and would propose discussion
or what defensive armament proper
iy may be. How far such a proposal
would so towards altering the situa-
ton is said to depend largely upon
additional information as to how
armed British merchantmen are said
to have warred on German subma-
rines, which is on the way to Wash
ington by mail.
Administration officials reiterated
today the declaration that the United
states never had departed since tho
beginning of the submarine contro-
Versy from it's firm stand for the oh.
servance OF international law, and
they point out that throughout his
tory the right Of a merchantmen to
carry limited armament solely for do
Tense never has been questioned.
Today's developments in congress
showed the administration leaders
holding their lines against any such
actioh as the president opposes. A
canvass OF the senate disclosed senti-
ment in favor of President Wilson'S
position dominating. In tho house tho
position was less GER
tam but the leaders were confiden,
'h"t vote would show ar over
majority for upholding the
president.
Senator Stones letter to the presi-
dent follows: