Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-03

close of FASHIONED remarks in defence
of warning resolution.
Il cannot say what the truth may be-
he declared. Il tell the tale as it was told
to me. This came to my ears in such
! way, with such a concurrence of testi-
mony, with such internal and external
marks of truth, that / feared it might
be the truth, and if such thing be even
conceivable l did not feel that. discharg-
ing my duty as a senator. / could with
hold whatever feeble service l might rem
der to avert the catastrophe of war.
Now. I do not know that this report
is the truth. l simply suggest is as ex-
planning my own conduct. / think the
senator from Massachusetts and the SEN
ator from Mississippi are right in saying
that the President has a right to know
whether Congress will back him in the
opinion. if he has such an opinion, that
the sinking of an armed bellgerent ship
will be a sufficient cause for war. and
think, too, Mr.. President that members
Of the Senate and that members of the
other house have right to know wheth-
er the opinions and sentiments imputed
to the President were given expression
in their interview with him.
Cores Challenge
III the senator from Missouri tMr,
Stone) will deny that suggestions of that
sort in substance were made, his denial
would be conclusive with me. If the SEN
| ator from Indiana tMr Kern will say to
the Senate upon his responsibility as
senator that the President did not indi-
cate that war might not be ungrateful
and that this republic could render a
great service to civilization, his denial
will be binding upon me-
| Mr.. President, / do not know why
, the senator from Oklahoma quotes me
as saying--'' interjected Senator
Stone. rising from his seat. II did not
quote the senator as saying il, not al
ALL" Senator Gore replied
Then l say. in all fairness TO the
President. Senator stone continued
! land to the facts Of the case. SO far as
! they are within my knowledge, that the
President never stated to me or in my
hearing that he believed in any way or
in any way entertained the thought
that war between the United States and
the Central Powers would be desirable
or would result in good to the United
States"
"Passion for Peace
The President has a passion for
peace" Senator Kern said at this point
but because of illness he did not rise
and few senator's heard him.
j. will accept the remark of the SEN
ator from Indiana Mr.. Kern that he
has a passion for peace. Senator Gore
responded. I'VE all have a passion for
peace Yet I want % say at this place
that | am not for peace al any price.
Asked by Senator James why he did
not ask the President about the reports,
Senator Gore said:
IN the first place. have not evil
dence of any confidential relationship
that might lead me to hope that might
receive his Judgment in the matter or
his impressions in the ma ter. acted
as say upon what seemed to be re-
| liable report. OF course, | may nave
been in error about il. ! realized that
at that time. ! acted in the luild lISht
! of those impressions. Certainly 90
not undertake TO quote what the freSI-
dent said to senators nor dld lntl-
innate that the senator had reported 10
me or repeated to me the conversation
with the President. but l assume tha'
other senator's received the same report
and that if it b untrue Of course every
body must be sratified.
Stones Statement
II desire to state the internahonai
| situation a I understand it. sald SEN
! ator Stone. "A sharp issue mas oee''
defined between Germany and Great
! Britain as to the status OF armed mel
+, chantmen. Germany CONTENDS tha'
| armed merchant vessels are the equiv
alent Of auxiliary war vessels ana mas
announced her policy to he that a1ter
| March ! armed merchantmen would
he regarded as warships and subject TO
! the rules of war.
ION the other hand. Great Britain
contends that under international law
merchantmen have the right to be
| armed for defensive purposes ana that
armed merchantmen are entitled under
armed ships, without regard to cargo.
She has announced her intention 10
| the law to the same immunity as un-
carry out that policy.
THAT is the issue between these two
| governments.
Y. S. Position
Now where does the United states
| come in" In this way: If both persist
in these courses. neither yielding to
| each other nor to the opportunities OF
neutral nations, and if Germany at
tacks an armed merchantmen and any
American citizen is injured. the ques-
ton is presented to this government
what our attitude would be. If no
! American citizens were on board we
have no cause to interfere, unless we
proceeded on the altruistic theory of
obligations of humanity
"To my mind this emergency is OF
high importance.
THE Presidents attitude is this: He
supports the contention that belligerent
merchantmen have the right to bear
arms for defensive purposes, but he
| does ont say. nor DO l. and l doubt
if anyone does, what constitutes defen-