The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-03-06
WILSON rule
Anglers NIE.NHOI
both II.|IH PARTIES
Democrats Perhaps More
Bitter Than the Repub-
licans.
The BRANlEIs CASE
March Fourth Next Falls
on Sunday Question
4 For Sharks. (,
me BRANDE!S CASE

4 4 WASHINGTON. March 6.-In a decid-
eddy equivocal manner the Senate has
stood by President Wilson in his de-
mand that he be sustained in his negot-
iattons with Germany, and the pros
poets are. that the House will do the
same. The views of many Senators
and a growing number OF Representa-
tiyes is that, despite their indignation
at the President for forcing this situa-
tion, and Irrespective Of the extent to
which they believe he has bungled the
foreign relations of the United States,
patriotism demands that they withhold
their criticism and stand by the Execu.
tive in his dealings with foreign pow
err, and especially with one which mas
shown a disposition to disregard the
rights Of Americans. In private con-
version, Democrats and Republicans
are almost equally severe In thier con-
formations OF the Presidents course.
The Democrats are. perhaps. more
bitter than the Republicans because
on them, as the majority, falls the re-
sponsibility of voting for President
Wilson'S policy, policy which com
parattvely few of them believe to be
correct. and which most of them ex.
pect their constituents to condemn. II
is the Democratic leaders in Congress
who have been most conspicuously 1g-
nored. They it is who have gone to
the White House singly and in groups
in an effort to ascertain Mr.. Wilson'S
purpose-only to be told, in effect. that
It Is not their business to inquire or
to think, but merely to go back to the
Capitol and carry out the orders OF
the Executive. "Traitor to his party"
and "betrayer of his friends are
among the mildest terms which are
being applied to Mr.. Wilson by his
party colleagues:
Little more than week ago his
orders consisted of peremptory de-
mand that all debate Of foreign rela-
tions be prevented in both Houses,
and that all resolutions bearing on
the German submarine situation be
buried in committee. No sooner, how
ever. had these orders been carried
out than Mr.. Wilson issued his new or
der that, irrespective Of their convic-
tions, Democratic membrs OF botn
Houses vote against a resolution warn
ing Americans to keep of OF the mer.
chantmen OF bellIgerents when armed
for self.defense. Most Of the Demo.
Gratis believe their constituents will
condemn them for casting such q vote.
Many, perhaps q majority, Of the Re-
publicans believe their constituents
will uphold them in such asvote. But
thu Indications are that o majority OF
both Houses will vote somewhat
equivocally it may be-to uphold Mr..
Wilson on patriotic grounds because,
as ex.Speaker Cannon put 1t, HE IS
the man whom we, Of our own free
will, have elected President and to
whom We have entrusted our foreign
affairs. and when we are engaged IN
a controversy with foreign nation 1t
is not the time 20 deplore or even to
admit our mistakes"
An EqulvocaI Endorsements
Pres. Wilson's orders to his subord1n.
ates in Congress were to bring out
of committee resolution warning
Americans off the armed merchant
men Of be1ligerents and to vote 1t down.
This was Impossible in the Senate. It
may prove so in the House. The best
the Senate could do was to vote to
lay on the table, along with the Nc.
This is not, Of course, declaration
that the Gore resolution Is wrong, but
rather that the Senate does not re-
gard 1t as wise to pass 1t at this time.
Senator Gore put one over on his Dem.
ocratic colleagues by presenting sub
stitute declaring that the sinking OF a
German submarine OF such armed ship,
resulting in the death OF an American.
would be sufficient cause OF war with
Germany, This was the resolution
which the Senate unwittingly voted to
I. lay on the table, along with the Nc
Cumber substitute, warning Amert-
cans etc. This was, however, a large
" technical victory for Mr.. Gore, as
a majority OF the Senate undoubted-
ly did vote to sustain the proposition
that the Senate should neither debate
nor vote on the question at this time.
lust what form the action of the House
will take is still problemattcal. but
there Is little prospect that the Presi-
dent will obtain the unqualified and un.
eouiyocal sort Of endorsement which
he demands.
Wilson and srandeIa.
There is abundant evidence that the
President Is exerting on the Senate
the same sort of pressure to compel
the confirmation OF Brandeis as JUS
tice Of the Supreme Court as he is do
ing In the case OF submarine warfare.
In his efforts he is aided by the fact
that it is, a serious matter for leading
lawyers to appear before a Commit
tee Of Congress and testify against q
man who may soon be on the Supreme
Court. Should Brandeis be confirmed
It is highly unlikely that any client
would care to retain as his lawyer in
a cause before that court one who had
testified to Brandeis' unatness. It ts,