The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1916-01-12
CALM CONGRESS
WILLING TO WAIT
ADMINISTRATION LEADERS AL
LAY EXCITEMENT OF BODY.
DAILY TALK CONTINUES.

Washington, Jan. S.--H1Cer q week
of omen discussion in the senate and
house. congressional excitement over
the foreign relations of the United
States has been considerably allayed.
Administration leaders appear to
have succeeded in prevailing upon
most of their colleagues to adopt a
policy of patient waiting for COM
plete investigation of recent war
zone incidents in which American
lives were lost.
1t is certain, however, that there
will be almost daily discussion at the
capital for weeks to come of the con-
ditions affecting the United States as
a result of the European war now
that the bonds of restraint have been
broken.
Senator Hoke Smith, of Georgia,
author of the resolution which asked
direct inquiry into the British
treatment of trade, has given notice
that he will address the senate this
week on phases of the cotton situa-
ton as atfected by Great Britain's
attitude. Senator Smith and other
members of congress today received
cablegrams from the American Asso-
citation of Commerce and Trade in
Berlin praying for action to assist
American firms there declared to be
facing ruin because of the British
blockade.
Thinks of Home Folk.
81 did not pay much attention to
the cablegrams," said Senator Smith.
81 am not interested in Americans in
Berlin. I want something done for
Americans who stay at home. l
want American citizens in the United
States to have their rights. Even
tually the foreign relations commit
tee of the senate will undertake de-
liberations of all matters pertaining
to the European conflict which it has
before it, including proposed in
vestigation in British interferences
with neautral shipping and belligerent
attacks upon neutral vessels in which
American lives have been lost or i'm
periled. The committee planned to
begin the task last week, but deferred
action pending further diplomatic
negotiations by the State Department
with foreign powers.
Delibcration on the subject of ma
tional preparedness is fairly under
way in both houses of congress. The
leaders agree that it will be many
weeks before any definite idea can
be formulated as to the naval and
army bills This week the senate COM
mittee on military affairs will begin
a hearing on army reorganization,
the house committee having begun
hearings last week. Revenue legis-
lation, in the meantime, will not be
considered. Representative Kitchin,
chairman of the ways and means COM
mittee, and Senator Simmons, chair
man of the finance committee, agree
that it would be useless to discuss
means of raising revenue until the
programme is far enough advanced
to indicate how much money will be
needed.
Before the house military committee
this week Major Scott, chief of staff,
of the army and Maj. Gen Bliss, as
Sistant chief will make statements re-
" lkpan2 knpilitary reorganization
4 Z: ! T.: !: 4 !:
= Stamford will
ling conditions
rnnection with
Udre Up.
defense measure
III - hearing before the
house committee Wednesday, when
Representative Hensley, of Missouri,
Gardner, of Massachusetts, and Tav-
enner of Illinois will press for action
on resolutions they have introduced
bearing on Investigations of national
defense preparedness propaganda.
Representative Foss, of Ohio, has CIV