The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-02-27

Believing that they are now in abso-
lutte control of the situation in Congress
friends OF President Wilson let II be
known last night that they are ready
at any time for a vote on the question
of taking the submarine issue with Ger
many out Of the hands of the President
by a resolution to keep Americans OF
armed liners. 81
Not since the revolt broke loose among
the Democrats at the Capitol have the
fPresfdent,s friends manifested more con-
fidence in their predictions that legisla-
ton of this kind would never be passed.
| For that reason there was a well de-
fined report in Washington last night
that the administration leaders may go
so far tomorrow as to force a vote on
one of the pending resolutions for the
purpose of defeating it and thus i'm
pressing Germany with the idea that the
President has Congress behind him
The report gained Roadway when press
dispatches reaching here yesterday
from Berlin reorted feeling in Ger
many that the President would not dare
force the issue over the Kaiser's new
submarine policy in view of the revolt
in Congress
At the same time, however, the Presi-
dents leaders in Congress yesterday did
not relax their vigilance.
Try to Check Recurrence. s.-
Despite the present inactivity of the re-
VOTERS against the Presidents foreign
policy, administration leaders are leav-
ing no stone unturned to prevent a re-
currence Of the trouble. In conformity
visers they are doing lot Of missionary
work in an endeavor to convince the bel
ligerents that action by the House on
diplomatic question might seriously en-
barass the United States in its interna-
| tional relations. Among those who are
assisting in this work is Representative
Adamson, of Georgia. Democratic
leader. Mr.. Adamson announced yester-
day:
"In case any resolution comes up in the
House affecting the Presidents manage
ment of foreign affairs 1 will offer the
following resolution, and all the Georgia
members will support it."
The resolution reads:
While it is obviously foolish and reck-
less, showing criminal disregard of the
rights. duties and obligations and peace
able relations of their government Tor
American citizens to take passage on the
ships of any of the belligerent nations
engaged in the present universal war,
| yet We have unbounded confidence in the
ability and integrity Of the President of
the United States, whose constitutional
duty is to conduct all diplomatic business
and look after all the foreign affairs Of
this government, and we recognize his
constitutional power and affirm our con-
fidence In his ability and Integrity TO
discharge his responsibility In the prem
ises'
May Discuss Question.
Representative McLemore. the Texas
Democrat who offered the resolution that
resulted in a capitalization of sentiment
in the House against the foreign policy
of the President gave out statement
last night In which he said that he had
no objection to delay by the foreign affairs
committee in acting on the measure.
Secretary of State Lansing let 1t be
knwon yesterday that the United States
will not object to entering into a discus
sion with Germany as to the application
of the international law permitting mer-
chant vessels to arm for defense
At the same time the Secretary made
it plain that the administration will not
discuss the principal Of the law itself
This was the extent to which he went
in justifying statement that the present
situation is less serious than 1t was and
that there Is no immediate crisis at hand.