South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-03-07
ADMINISTRATION FORCES
WIN FIRST TEST VOTE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE)

20 be plain American"
The house applaUded vigorously
as Republican Leader Mann stroae
down the aisle to make the final re-
publican speech on the rule. He
urged that the previous question be
voted down and said that il it was
so voted down he would vote for the
Campbell sub-rule providing for a
vote on a simple warning issue.
I'VE do not express any opinion
on the subject of Americans travel
ing on belligerent ships by laying
the McLemore resolution on the
table unless such action could be
construed as an invitation 10 Amer
lean citizens so TO travel" he said.
Il do not favor such invitation, for
it may lead TO war. The president
has asked our opinion. Let us tell
him freely, fully. frankly, that we
do not desire complications which
will lead to war"
Garrett Closes Debate.
Rep. Carrot, Of Tennessee, closed
the debate on the rule for the demo-
Gratis.
Il support this proposition because
it is asked by the president OF my
country" he said, who by his po-
sition is today the foremost man
Of all the world and who is car
rying the most tremendous respon-
sibility that ever rested on any in
dividual as the head of a neutral ma
ton"
The house listened in tense silence
10 the vigorous debate Prolonged
applause which greeted the declar-
atoms Of the administration leaders
that the president was not for war
and that the house by its vote must
show a united country behind it, dis
turbed the rapt attention. Both floor
and galleries, crowded 10 overflow
ing, listened closely 10 the argu-
ments of the leaders as they analyz-
ed the situation. Several times the
applause that greeted praise for the
president was so prolonged that
Speaker Clark had trouble in bring
ing the house back to order and his
gavel fell heavily on his desk.
Rep. Carrot of Tennessee. made
stirring plea for support for the
president closing debate or the
special rule. and when he moved to
cut off all further debate and
amendment there was a roar OF APP
plause. A hush Of silence followed
and the house settled down TO the
solemn, long drawn out business of
calling the roll on the first test vote
Of the date.
Limit Debate on Rule.
One hour and a half was agreed
on by the house today as the time
limit under which the special rule
recommended by the rules commit
tee. which would permit the tabling
of the McLemOre resolution warn
ing Americans to keep off armed
beligerent merchantmen could be
debated
Acting Chairman Pou of the rules
committee Immediately opened the
argument, declaring that the tabling
of the resolution would conclusive
~ show that the house was stand
ing squarely behind the president in
his handling of the submarine con-
troversy with Germany.
1T has been said that the presi-
dent wants war" he shouted. "All
the imps Of hell never devised a
more infamous lie The president
has struggled for peace. No presi-
dent since Abraham Lincoln has
borne the burdens that he has. But
the president is not ready to sur
render the rights of American cit
liens under international law"
Rep. Campbell of Kansas open
ed the debate for the opponents of
the rule, explaining that ne would.
if the previous question was voted
down, Immediately offer a substi-
tute.
Campbell Offers Substitute.
The Campbell substitute reads:
The resolution and preamble
shall both be open 10 amendment
With the following amendment con-
sidered as pending, to wit:
Strike out both the preamble
and the resolution and insert in
lieu thereof the following:
RESOLVED, that in the
opinion of the house Of repre-
sentatives. citizens Of the United
States under existing conditions
and irrespective Of their legal p
rights ought to refrain from
taking passage on armed YES
sells Of belligerent nations, ex-
cept in case of imperative neces-
sity, and the consideration Of
the resolutions and amendments
thereto shall proceed under the
five-minute rule to a final vote
in congress"
Does anyone believe that warn
ing Americans not to travel on ships
that have been called by the secre-
tary Of state Extensively armed is
yielding any of the rights of Amer
lea ?" Mr.. Campbell asked.
He discussed the horror" of the
European war and said, we are
parleying with this horror over the
right of foolhardy Americans to
travel on armed ships Of belliger-
ents."
Must Avoid War.
"The one thing for this house to
do today" he declared, lis to avoid
war. so far as the action Of this
house can avoid war
Rep. Pat Harrison. who has led
the fight for the president during
the strenuous weeks OF the congres-
sionaI outbreak, declared the house