Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-03-03


merchantmen have the right TO bear
arms for defensive purposes. but he does
not say, nor do l. and I doubt If any
one does, what constitutes defensive
purposes.
Furthermore. il German warship
without warning should attack and sink
"A merchantmen. the president proposes
TO consider the attacs a lswless act.
He will be disposed 10 hold the German
government to strict accountability.
and II the German government persisted,
he would be tempted TO sever diplomatic
relations and submit the matter to con-
gress. which. under the constitution, is
tie war-making body.
"If IL must come to this. and ] must
disagree with the president, and 4 7
must disagree with my colleagues. I
must not face this a. a political ques-
ton. Ny duty is clear. I cannot but
Relieve that il a belligerelt merchant
man is armed. whether for defensive or
D.tensive purposes. If il is transporting
war material. il is the equivalent Of a
war vessel.
II cannot discuss the question NOV.
Int viii merely state that ir duty TO
n:yself TO my constituents and TO my
country. 7 win discuss IL here at length
ia the near future. The president is OPP
posed to the Gore resolution. lie is not
only opposed tn laws on the subject, but
to any form OF Official warning, keeping
people OF helligerent vessels.
"If 7 coulc have my say, | would
take some step 10 save this country
from becoming embrolled in the Euro
pean war through the recklessness of
seine thoughtless citizen.
The president has written TO Rep
resentative POu that the resolution has
been a source of embarrassment to him
in the diplomatic NEGOTIATIONS with the
EeIiigerents.
Il am sure that is so. have dill
gently sought TO prevent resolutions IN
this subject being adopted and sought
To allsy agitation on this subject. Now
we are informed that the resolution
must be defeated"
LODGES ATTITUDE.
Il thoroughly appreciate the gravity
OF the situation TO which the senator
from Missouri has called attention"
said Senator Lodge. II agree entirely
with him that this is not a party ques-
ton.
II think the president. hampered as
he tells Us i'm the letter to Representa-
tive Pou in his diplomatic negotiations,
has Alright to ask for a vote on the pre-
else proposition. that he may know
whether he can go on with his negotia-
tions with congress behind him or
whether congress takes the view of the
belligerent power with whom he is ne
gotiating. I hope the senate will take
an early vote on the precise question
as TO whether American citizens can
travel on armed merchant ships, right
which has not been questioned for CEN
turtles past"
Senator John Sharp Williams, Demo-
crat. staunchly defended the president
Weak from illness he spoke with great
feeling.
There are times in the history of all
people. all administrations and all par
ties" said he, when men come to the
parting Of the ways. to unavoidable con-
FTict when each must stand as best
he NAV for that which he thinks to oe
brave. Just and patriotic. That time
think has come for you and for me con-
corning the proposition that now races
US.
..Tba time has come when the cues
tion states itself this way: shall 1 ac-
claim America first or shall acclaim
Deutschland uber allies"
81 have the highest contempt for one
who would inject politics in this sltua-
ton. Politicians looking for raclal
vote of some kind to be gained from TINS
are not only poor Americans but poor
politicians.
.sThe moment a factional element, par
ticipating in the government of the
United States, shall implant in them
selves an idea of pleasing racial eie-
ment. that moment they will consolidate
against them every other racial ele-
ment- and all that great element Of cit
liens who are just Americans, without
frilI. without politics and without n.y.
phens or anything else. They have
right to be here.
ALL ARE AMERICANS.
The citizenship Of this country is
derived from every race under the sun.