Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-02-25
REPEATS
HIS OPPOSITION

Continued From First Page1
per of the House regarding the diplo-
matte situation with Germany and
some argument on both sides, is fully
set out in Senator Stones letter to the
President and the Presidents letter
to Senator Stone.
I'VE explained to the President how
the House felt in cur Judgment. I
told the President that this warning
resolution would carry two to one il
IL ever got a chance for q vote. Some
enthusiastic gentlemen, l said, thought
II would carry to l.
President Stands Firm
"Of course there was a great deal
of talk about international law re-
garding the rights of Americans on
the seas and precedents. At the con-
clusion of the conference, IL 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 admir-
atty order to sink all armed ships from
March /, either to April LIST or the
middle OF March. I thing the chances
are that Germany will postpone this
threatened performance. This will
give more time for consideration of
this matter.
we told the President that in the
event of such poStponement all ac-
tion in Congress certainly would be
postponed. Meantime these resolu-
tions would remain in status quo.
Difficult to Get Out
Regarding the possibility of action
in Congress in case Germany adheres
to her announcement that the admir-
atty order will be made effective
March 1st, Speaker Clark said 1t would
be very difficult to get the warning
resolution out of committee for ac-
tion and that there was no way for
the Issue to get before the House to-
day.
'Of course" he continued, some
one might try unanimous consent but
that would be ridiculous because there
would be many objections to such a
course Even the men who seriously
favor this resolution would not want
to adopt such q course. Naturally
the resolution should come from the
committee on foreign affairs. mo-
ton to discharge the committee can
only come up on the first and third
Mondays of the month and motions
to discharge must follow the unani-
nous consent calendar and suspension
of the rules.
Impossible to Get Consent
1T is obvious that in this situation
it will be. impossible to get unani-
nous consent for consideration of a
warning resolution. If the resolution
should be reported from the Foreign
Affairs Committee il would take its
place on the calendar unless the rules
committee would interfere. The reso-
luton is in no way privileged and it
/ would so to the foot of the, calendar.
Ihat would mean we could not get to
1T before July or August. The only
remedy, If action is to be had on this
resolution in the near future is the
committee on rules"
There is some doubt because of re-
cent developments as to the attitude
OF that committee. A week ago, how
ever, members who were anxious to
have the resolution brought on the
| floor were given little encouragement
/ Majority Leader kitchin and Repre-
sentative Flood declined to discuss
what took place at the White House.
They said that Speaker Clark had
been selected TO issue all statements
and that they would adhere to this
| agreement. 1t is known, however
/ that both of them advised the Presi-
/ dent that the sentiment in the House
for the resolution was strong.
Can Avoid War
The President told the House lead
| ers he felt the United States must
stand for the right of Americans to
the freedom of the seas and that the
| honor of the nation must be pro-
tected in any eventuality. He said he
hoped he would be able to conduct the
| HeSoliatloHS WIN Germany In SUCH q
way that war would be avoided and
reiterated his hope that Germany
would explain the apparent discrepan-
/ cies between the assurances previously
given and the new warning that armed
merchantmen would be sunk without
warning after February 29. He told
the leaders the position of the United
States wculd be weakened if Congress
took action as has been proposed.
Believe Situation Serious
Speaker Clark, Mr.. Kitchin and Mr..
| Flood all expressed the hope that the
United States would not go to war
over the armed ship issue. They left
the White House saying they believed
the situation serious.
How much the sentiment for con-
| gressional action would be affected by
publication of the Presidents letter to
| Senator Stone, the leaders thought
i nn11ld only he shnu-ra nv Tina The