Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-03

what did on the theory that the dip
| lomatic situation was being mainly
conducted between the two powers l
named and this government"
Lodge in "FulI Accord"
II think the position of the Allies, who
| have command of the seas. is the same
on this question: Senator Lodge contin-
! ued. IF l understood the position OF
the President as stated by the senator
| from Missouri on the question Of armed
| merchantmen and on the rights OF neu-
trails to travel and ship their goods on
merchantmen armed within the limita-
! tons generally imposed with that posi-
! ton, | am in full accord. l think that
| neutrals have right established for
centuries to ship their goods and. take
passage on belligerent merchantmen
whether armed or unarmed, if armed for
! defence only.
THE precise question. as ! understand.
presented by the President and also by
the senator from Missouri. is whether
Congress favors passing a resolution
! warning American citizens to desist from
i the exercise of an undoubted right. No
matter how it has been raised. 1t has
been raised on the precise point embod-
led in the Gore resolution in the Senate
/ and in similar resolutions in the House.
and if the President wishes vote on
| that precise resolution and on the precise
| point raised by the resolution, / think he
ought to have that vote from Congress.
| Il think under these circumstances he
|
| ing been raised, what the attitude Of
Congress is OH that question of warming
, American citizens from the exercise of
what they have hitherto always consid-
cred undoubted neutral rights. l think
we must meet the question as it is pre-
! scented.
THE last administration warned citi-
zens of the United States to leave Next
/ CO. ! have Joined in criticism OF that
myself. and it would be utterly impossi-
BILE for me to- criticize this administra-
| ton for failure to protect American lives
! in Mexico despite the warning that mas
/ been given, and then myself turn around
! and publish to the world that an Ameri-
| can who exercises equal right. to
which he is equally entitled, on bellig-
protection of his country. l speak only
for myself, but l cannot supply two rules
to question like this
+ Williams Defense
4 Senator John Sharp Williams. Demo-
crat staunchly defended the President.
The time has come for you and me-
| said Senator Williams, Ito act on an
! issue that is before us, not because OF
/ any action OF the President. but be-
| cause of what he has been compelled
to confront because of constant nag
sing. constant querying and constant
| expression of opinion in favor OF the
negotiations Of foreign power as
| aga inst our own"
| "'Che time has come continued Sem
ator Williams, when the question
| states Itself this way: Shall | acclaim
! America first. or shall acclaim
| Deutschland Ceber Allies
Il have the highest contempt for one
| who would inject politics in this situa-
ton. Politicians looking for a racial
vote of some kind to be gained from
! this arc not only poor Americans but
| poor politicians.
| Through resolutions and in speeches
/
been prodded and nagsed ard dared. to
do what" To surrender the initiative
| tie constitution places with him, and
| let Congress take the lead in foreign
relations. Now the patience of a very
patient man has been exhausted. Now
he says. YOU have given comfort to
foreign nations you have given them a
contempt for your own government,
you have weakened my hand; now l
want show down. And / believe it
will be a show up. l am through
You have nagged and prodded him
! until he has picked up the gauntlet
7 and said: II the patriotism of Con-
gress is behind me, let's find it out
/ and if it is not behind me. let's find
/ that out If I'm to be hamstrung, just
| kill me as negotiator and have it
| done. If am helpless. say so, and let
/ me and the people know it,
THE President has offered no new
doctrine. The proposition of armed
merchantmen is a principal recognized
| in the war with Spain and the Civil
! War. What Germany wants to do.
| what she wants us to do, is to change
! international law ard she is trying to
make us a particepts criminals.
The only danger of war today, the
| only cloud on the horizon comes from
| the fact that politicians have not let
him alone. and that some of you must
seek to create the impression that he
| American people are not behind the
American government and to your &C
ton alone is due the last position taken
by the Germans"
Gore Defends Resolution
Senator Gore defended his resolu-
ton.
I'm my judgment any American
placing Germany's interest above