Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-02-24
Congressmen Opposed to wilson's Plan to Defend
 Neutrals' Rights at Sea.
GERMANY'S REPLY
 NOT SATISFACTORY
One Group in Congress Wants Ameri- cans Kept Off of Ships of Belliger. pnts-President Determined to
 Bring TeutOns to Terms.

Washington, Feb. 23.-President Wilson and congress. facing a genu- inc crisis with Germany, are at loggerheads tonight on the question of policy.
 The situation, is unprecedented. Never before in the history of the United States has there been an oc- casicn when the executive head of the ration and the congress have been widely apart On a matter of sucn immediate gravity.
 As a climax to a day of chaos, the German reply to- the latest demands of tie United States reached Wash ington tonight. It is understood to be unsatisfactory. The president has told the leaderss of congress that ha is determined to force an immediate show down" with the Teutonic allies, and has warned them that he will not tolerate any interference with his handling of the information al situation.
 Congress is equally determined tha: Ar ericans shall be warned off armed merchantmen totally in defiance ot the presidents expressed wishes. Ad- ministration advisers and the leaders in congress tonight are in a state Of uncertainty and apprehension that operate against the possibility of concerted action.
 s.sss situation Summarized.
 No one of them is willing to pre- dict what the morrow will bring forth. fhe situation may best De summarized as follows:
 First, Senator Stone, chairman oi the com mmittee on foreign relations and spokesman in the senate for the administration. told his colleagues that the president would take as a personal affront any. legislation re- garding the submarine issue.
 Second, Representative Flood chaiim of the house foreign af fairs committee, will tell presiden' tomorrow morning that a powerful grcup in congress is opposed to hts plan of forcing Germany to admit the right of neutrals to travel On arme. ships. {''' 9'
 Third, senator Gore Of Oklahoma announced he will introduce at the first opportunity resolution pro. hibit:ng American citizens from travelling on armed merchantmen.
 Fourth, Democratic members of thu house committee, deputized Repre- sentative Flood to tell the preslder tomorrow that a resolution warning American citizens off armed ship' will probably be passed unless IL alters his position. "s
 Fifth, from the white house tele phone message went to Representa- tive Flood late in the afternoon, hi reply to which was an aen nouncemen that sentiment in congress was over whelmingly in opposition to tn presidents plan.
 Sixth. a stampede in hysterica rush for immediate action was stave' off only by heroic work on the par of admiiistra leaders.
 Seventh, on the floor, in the cloal room, and in corridors,- >sensationa scenes were enacted nd vigorou criticism was. directed at the. presi dents plans to stand firm in the con troversy with Germany. 4.'.
 Eighth, Majority Leader Kitchin de clared that if the president propose to force Germany into war he coul not count on the support of congress
 Ninth, the Democratic members Q the house foreign affairs committe met tonight and decided that tn situation admits of nc improvement unless the president consents to max some sort of compromise.
 Tenth, at the. white house it wa announced that Senator Stoneh at th request of the president, will no make bjf intended speech in reply :. Roots 4ttack on the administration
 Eleventh; the white house also de nied that the white house has az prcxed a plan for the adoption b congress of a resolution warnin Americans off armed merchantmel : Senator Cores Plan.