The Hartford republican., 1916-03-10
CONGRESS 0. KS.
WILSON POLICY
HOUSE TABLES McLEMORE RES
OLUTION BY VOTE OF
270 TO f42.
NOT TO WARN AMERICANS
Both Branches Line Up in Answer to
Demand For showdown" And
Same Policies Will Continue.

Washington, March S.-With Con-
gress standing squarely behind him,
President Wilson was prepared to-
day to go ahead with the subma-
rine negotiations with the Central
Powers.
After an all-day contest such as
has seldom been witnessed, the House
last night answered the Presidents
deman for a "show down" on Con-
gressional sentiment on the armed
ship issue. BY vote of 276 to 142
the House tabled the McLemore res
olution to warn Americans off armed
ships.
This action, together with that in
the Senate in killing a similar reso-
luton, has freed the President from
the bonds of embarrassment forced
upon him by the dissensions in Con-
gress.
His victory, complete after a long
and sensational fight, was regarded
by the President and his advisers as
sufficient answer to reports cir
culated in Berlin that he was making
demands on Germany in direct oppo-
sition to the sentiment of the elected
representatives of the people. Mr..
Wilson is hopeful that there will be
as little further discussion Of the is
sue in Congress as possible.
President Highly Pleased.
The President was much gratified
with the overwhelming support ac-
corded him. He is receiving many
congratulations. The Presidents
next step probably will be to answer
Germany's last proposal to settle the
Lusitania case. In this the United
States will ask for further assurances
guaranteeing that the new submarine
campaign, in which all armed mer-
chant ships are to be treated as aux
iliary cruisers, will not endanger
American lives.
Secretary Lansing to-day was COM
pleting his examination Of the appen-
dices to the last German note which
contain alleged instances of English
merchant ships attacking submarines
and under which Germany has sought
to Justify her new underwater cam
paign. With the armed ship issue
out Of the way, Congress was ready
to-day to settle down to the task Of
clearing up the legislative slate. Ag-
itation on the subject in Congress has
delayed the work of the session.
1t was a big Democratic majority
and nearly half of the Republicans
in the House that ended the move
ment to warn Americans off armed
ships. In turbulent session last
ing for seven hours and to rally cries
of "Stand by the President" Admin
istration supporters without regard
to party three times placed their
stamp of disapproval on the warning
proposition.
Result Never In Doubt.
BY a vote of 256 to 160 the Admin
istration forces carried the first vote,
parliamentary proposition to pre-
vent opening the McLemore resolu-
ton to amendment and unlimited de-
bate. With this crucial vote of the
fight in hand, they moved to the
adoption of a special rule for four
hours discussion of the resolution.
This was carried by 271 to 13S and
then the victory was completed by
tabling the resolution.
During the debate that preceded
each vote the House was swayed back
and forth in a manner probably un-
equaled since the eve of the declara-
ton of war with Spain. The long
discussion, however, was conducted
with entire good feeling and there
was frequent cheering. The CALLER
les were packed throughout the day.
The Presidents supporters praised
him for keeping the country out of
war and for upholding international
law.
Administration opponents charged
that the President was contending
for a doubtful legal right and was
shifting the responsibility of diplo-
matte negotiations to Congress. The
failure of the so-called Bryan infiu-
ences to develop any marked strength
against the President was one of the
surprises of the day. n
nrvau RaIiftlas VtcfOrV.