Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-02-24

WashiuGtor Eco. Agitation in
congress for action warming Americans
Off armed shipa Of the European bel
li@crents suddenly grow 10 such proper
tons to-day that the democrats of the
foreign affairs committee voted to can
'dss tho sentiment of the House IN
several poUdirC resolutions Of that ma
turc.
sentiment in the Senate. in favor Of
some such action, also was openly cN-
pressed. hut at the end of "A day of
surprises, tension and agitation such
ias has not been seen in Congress in
some time, the word came that prcsi-
dent Wilson stll was unaltcrably on
posed to any such action by Congress
and believed that he would only be
embarrassed thereby in the ncEotia-
tiuus with Germany.
To widely circulated suggestions that
the situation had reached "A point wher,
the President soon would lay it before
Congress. that Secretary Lansing might
in some way define the attitude of tho
government in "A communication to Sen
ator Stone and that time had tccu
fixed within which the United states
would expect Germany to signify her
|
| tention to sink armed merchant ships
without warning. the uniform statement
was made officially that nothing had
been determined upon; that the situa-
| tion, though grave, stil was "A waiting
ono; and that no iual position would
hc announced until Berin was heard
| from.
| Tho sudden Developments at the tapi-
tol brought surprise and apprehension "a
. the administration leaders. while con
frontcd with the possibility of congrcs'
. sional interference with all its grave
aspects ranging from a detection from
! the administration policy 10 downright
embarrassment of the President and tho
| secretary of state, the leaders were con
| iident they would control the situa tior
aud leave the executive branch of the
government free to carry Oh diplomatic
negotiations with Germany.
At no time to-day did the question
come out openly on the floor of either
the House or the Senate, but about :
score of congressman, who announce
they were in favor Of warning Ameri
cans even If it involved a rcpudiatior
of tho administration policy if thereby
! they thought war would he averted
kept both Houses IN a state of tension
that virtually blocked business.
All the demonstration vas in tho demo
cratic ranks and there was no open show
of sentiment among the republicans
was indicated, however, that Rcpublica,
Leader Mann synnpathized with Presi
dent Wilson's policy and that any ont
break would have to reckon with hi
forces
From apparently authentic source
came statements tonight that the Prosi
dent was determined that the iisput
!. pending with Germany will be settle
without prolonged negotiations. He
known to believe, however that tn
breaking off of diplomatic relations wit
Germany means war and there will b
no undue haste in handling the situa
tion involving such a possibility.
The administrati tion view is that a troa
and important principle is involved i
the right of Americans to travel o
beligerent merchantmen, and that thi
right must not be abandoned
Developments are expected momentar
lily. Tomorrow may bring Germanys re
ply to the request OF the United States
made last week through Ambassador No
Bernstorff. for assurances that the motto
of intention to sink armed merchantme
without warning after February % doe
not nullfy previous pledges given In II
Arabic and Lusitania negotiations. on
cial advices from Berlin have indicate
that Germany will reply that previo'
assurances will not be affected. but tha
they applied only to unarmed ships, an
, probably will ask the American govern
,ncnt for its definition Of defensive arms
ments which may be carried by mo-
. ehantman without sacrificing its peacef'
= character.
Q The state department will take n