The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-07

ing with those nations TO SrdllIy 1tAe
desires of people to travel on armed
ships. The thing today is to avoid
war. The question ought not to have
been brought out here. Now it is
here vote squarely on a resolution
warning citizens of the danger they
are in when they get on armed ships
of a belligerent.'
Question of America First.
Representative Harrison of Missis-
sippi, Democrat, took up the debate
for the administration.
'SThis is not a question for US to
divide up on as Democrats or Repub-
lcans," said, he. 1T is a. question of
America first. 1t is a question wheth-
er you shall rise above narrow par
| tisanShip and stand for the American
! government. The only safe course for
US to pursue is to follow the rights of
neurals under international law. If
we allow one column to be taken from
| the structure of international law, we
| endanger the whole foundation of our
| government
The question +oday," he conclud-
ed, is whether you are with the
president or against him. If this rule
is defeated you not only will send joy
to the hearts of the people in foreign
capital but you stab your own presi-
/ dent in the back
Representative Chiperfield, Repub-
ican of Illinois, declared he favored
standing by the president.
| Scattered applause from the Dem
ocrat side greeted Representative
Gardner, Republican, who spoke on
the parliamentary status of the Nc
Lemore resolution.
''If you want to stand with the pres
ident and two ex-presidents, you will
vote to sustain the rule and table the
McLemore resolution he said.
Wilson Not for War.
The thought furthest from Pres
dent Wilson's mind is a desire for
| declared Representative
net, Republican, of New York.
He attacked the rule, however, as
''cowardly, evasive and treacherous.
He complained that the house gave
many hours to routine business and
would give only four hours to con-
slider a resolution Involving war.
Representative CantrilI Democrat,
of Kentucky, member of the rules
committee, said he would vote for the
rule because only by its adoption
could the house put itself on record on
the warning resolution issue.
Thank God that President Wilson
is the chief executive of the nation
now he declared amid Democratic
applause. ITO those who may say
that this action involves a question of
war, I say that today's action which
we propose is the only way to guar
antee peace and an honorable peace is
what we all DESIRE
Picked Up Gauntlet.
Represent native Lenroot of Wiscon-
sin, Republican, of the rules commit
tee, declared:
This house will either defeat this
rule, leaving the matter where it is
now, in the presidents hands, or will
defeat the previous question, which
will permit amendments to the Nc
Lemore resolution so as to permit this
house to express its real sentiment
Republican applause punctuated his
plea for opportunity for amendments
He contended the question was not
partisan one. He attacked Mr.. Gard
ner, saying, when he takes the stand
as he does today he lays himself open
to the charge of cOwardice.
IF you are unwilling to submit to
| a declaration of war, the responsibility
is on you now to defeat the previous
question" he shouted to thunderous
outburst of applause.
Representative Graham of Penn
sylvania, Republican, declared: To
J day, 1 don't want to be pro-German,
} lpro-Austrian or pro-anything. 1 want
! to be only an American to stand up
and face the world for its rights"
The rebel yell rang out from the
Democrs tic side.
IF we are informed correctly" Re
publican Leader Mann said, the pres
ident desires our opinions on the sub
ject of American citizens travelling on
armed ships of belligerent nations. We
express no opinion on the subject by
laying the McLemore resolution on the
table unless such action be construed
as an invitation to travel. am not
in favor of extending any such invi-
tation which might bring US into in
5 ternational complications.
I'VE have not sought to annoy the
president When he asks US for our
opinion let US tell him frankly we do
not desire complications which would
lead to war. If we meet the ques-
ton fairly, we must vote down the
, previous question and then vote on the
I GIIf1 Vh wi offered
: Mr.. Campbell of Kansas.
Let us be fair enough to the presi-
dent, to ourselves and to our country
l to meet the issue and express the
=. opinion that we have thereby to pre-
vent the war which we all hope will
j not come
Representative Garrett of Tennes-
see, Democrat, of the rules committee
said he did not support the resolution
because the action of the house was
/, demanded by Woodrow Wilson, the
: man, or Woodrow Wilson, the titulaI
head of his party, but because it was
= asked by the president of the nation
: Two things admittedly causing the
presidents supporters some concern
were the possible failure of the Re
D publicans to line up for the tabling
motion and the possibility of organ
e lied opposition among a group d
! Democrats who met William J. Bryar
n yesterday at a private luncheon and
t discussed with him the fight owe,
d warning legislation which he is known
e to favor. Although realizing the task
n ahead of them the presidents sup
? porters felt confident that a large ma
s jority of the Democrats and many
= Republicans would stand together tC
O put through the rule under which it :.
e proposed to table the McLemore reso-
4 luton, after ninety minutes debate OF
x the rule and four hours discussion OF
e the resolution
q The administration whips had SEN
I 1IeyT oil nav77 &c, =,
h in reach to hurry to Washington IT
r time for the vote. in addition to the
r influence of Mr.. Bryan, formidable
opposition from some Republican:
was anticipated. Representative
Mann of Illinois, the Republican
ti!-c. q,