The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-11
PRESIDENT GAGGED
SENATE ON LINERS,
SAYS LA TOILETTE
Wisconsin senator Makes
Speech in Favor Of Warn
ing Americans.
WILSON'S POLICY Is
DEFENDED ~ COLT

wAsNuSGroN, March 10 -- Although
Administration officials declared them-
selves so cngrossed in the Mexican st-
uation to-day that they had practically
ignored for the time being the pending
issues betwcen the United states and
Germany. tho senate continued 10 ais
cuss the question Of warning Amer'-
ANS against travelling on armed mer-
chantmen.
The Capitol seemed the only place in
Washington where the German Crisis
wae receiving consideration AT the
White House the President devoted the
day to conferences with members OF the
Cabinet on the Mexican policy. and at
the Government departments II was ala
that the formulation of the American
reply to the recent Berlin note has been
shelyed TO make way for the Mexican
problem.
Reports flew thick and fast that the
villista outbreak was Of German inspi-
ration. but they received no encourage
ment In official circles.
In the Senate senator La Toilette de-
livered his promised speech IN favor OF a
resolution Of warning and severely criti-
cised the administrator leaders Tor the
manner in which they had shut on de-
bate on the Gore resolution last week.
colt supports President.
Senate colt of Rhode Island sup
ported the ADMINISTRATIONS position IN
a speech. contending that Germany mas
no right to change international law dur
Ing the progress OF the war. and that the
American Government would not be JUS
titled in relinQuishing any established
right of its citizens.
Senator Mrcumber also made n
speech. He defended his resolution o'
warning which he withdrew yesterday.
Senator La Toilette in his address in
sisted tina, congress had the right To
issue the warning to Americans not 10
travel on merchant, ships. and cited
precedents which he claimed supported
that contention.
"The peremptory manner In which the
Senate forced action upon the warning
resolution said Mr.. La Toilette. and
the extraordinary proceeding in which
the resolution was changed and tabled
without opportunity for debate warrant
the belief that the President denies Con
gress the right to express rs opinion
upon "A matter which lies within Its con.
0tiNutiotidl dutiloiNs NaAN Ns hiu'' &c
that of the Executive
Mr.. La Toilette expressed his con
Adence in the President for hav!ne
preserved the peace. Despite violent
newspaper attacks and sensational in.
dividual assaults there has been a
strong undercurrent OF sympathetic sup
port OF the Presidents policy in so far
A. 1t makes for peace and a deep ma.
tional gratitude for the result thus IA
0yfntnad - ha varparkal .I ho'faxaI unl
sti!l believe. he should have called 4
conference of neutral nations to NEE
And make articulate the protests OF III,
peaceful half vi the worlds population.
Warming Regarding Mexico.
The Senator said he approved tn.
Presidents course in warning American.
out of Mexico because il was a small
sacrifice for them 10 make 10 preserv,
the peace, But how much less ~sacriiic,
II means for our citizens to refrain from
travel on belligerent ships. :" he eX
claimed,
Senator Colt argued in his speech tina
II the United states comedies TO Ger
many the right to make changes In tn,
international Law regarding naval war
fare. 1--WE automatically invalidate gu
objections against the British infringe
ments or our commerce rights.
III a belligerent has the legal RICH
under international law TO change TX
listing rules by reason Of changed con
ditions." he continued. 1T bccomes tn
legal duty of neutrals Ia submit to a
violations OF internatIonal law which IN
belligerent may commit in enforcement
Of this legal right.
again. II We cOnc-de TO Germany tn
right of altering the rules OF interna
tionai law upon the ground of chango
conditions We must Concede the sam
right to Great Britain. France. Russia
Italy. Japan and Turkey, since to con
cedc this right to one ~helligerent and I
deny II TO the other beliigerents wOul
manifestly be an unncutral act becaus
IL would he granting "a concession q
favor to one which was not granted I
0tAers.
"In our note Of October 81. 1915. IN
charges against Great Britain for In
violation 81 the rules relating 10 neu
trail commerce are summarized unde
%thirty-hve separate heads. Great Brit
aims justification for these alleged vic
tito IL based mainly upon change
conditions in this war.
Hence, II we concede that German
IL right in her contention, Great Brltai
q a perfect legal answer to GU
charges in other words. Great Britai
stands entirely justified In modifyin
existing rules relating to the right G
search. blockade and conditional cor
tFaband. such as foOdsturs.
1.-THE truth Of the matter liz tina
changed conditions. self preservatio
and retaliation are simply the excuse
which are urged by Lelligerents IL
modifying existing rules Of internationf
law. and il the United States as a grea
neutral Power admits III" legal Nalidit
of these excuses the result would he III