New-York tribune., 1916-02-21
Will Lead Fight in Senate
Against Arguments OF
Republicans.
MEXICAN SITUATION
AGAIN TO BE AIRED
Nomination of Fletcher as Am.
bassador viii BE Pressed
by Democrats.

Washington. Feb. 20.-Discussior
from an Administration viewpoint OF
the submarine issue with Germany will
be undertaken in the Senate this week
Democrats, led by Senator Stone, chair
man Of the Foreign Relations Commit
tee. have determined 10 meet what they
term an effort Of the Republican Sen
ators to make a partisan issue of the
situation that has arisen since the Ger
man Admiralty's determination to sins
all enemy merchant ships, whether
armed for offence or defence.
Senators Sterling and Lodge, Repub-
leans. discussed the subject last week,
urging that for the United States TO
yield to the right of Germany TO sink
defcnsively armed merchant ships
would be an unneutral act and step
toward war In announcing his purpose
10 address the Senate, Senator Stone
said he would answer some OF the
arguments made by the Republicans
grave importance that il should not be
debated in the Senate in a partisan
way. The Missouri Senator has con
ferred with President Wilson and Sec
retary Lansing, and his views are be-
ing awaited with interest by members
of both houses. who do not conceal the
belief that the nation is facing the
gravest diplomatic crisis since the be
,,rr,rr % tho Eurouaau war
President Wilson plans to hold con-
ferences this week with Congressional
leaders which are expected to have Cn
important bearing on the international
and % .icai situations and the Ac-
ministration legislative programme.
Mr.. Roots reference in his recent
speech criticising the foreign policy Of
the Admin stration 10 the failure OF
the United States to protest against the
violation of Belgium's neutrality by
Germany has caused Administration or
fcials TO look up State Department cor
respondence relative to the annexation
of Corea by Japan. Ii is understood
that Senator Stone will refer 70 the
latter incident because Mr.. Root was
Secretary of State at the time.
Mexican Affairs To BE Aired.
mexican dNhliS dArO dlt W bt dtitN
again in the Senate, Republican Sena-
tors planning to attack the Presidents
report on Senator Falls resolution ask
ing for information concerning the
Carranza government. Senator Fall ha-
expressed disappointment because the
President and Secretary Lansing did
not disclose diplomatic correspondence
relating TO political conditions in Mex
ico which led up to the recognition Of
Carranza.
In the Foreign Relations Committee
on Wednesday the nomination of Henry
Prather Fletcher as ambassador to
Mexico will be considered and Admin
istration Senators propose TO demand
a vote on a motion TO recommend hi;
confirmation to the Senate. There has
been no opposition even from Republi-
can sources to Mr.. Fletcher. and the
general opinion at the Capitol is tina,
his nomination will be confirmed before
the end Of the week.
Other important matters TO occupy
the attention of the Senate during the
week will be the Eaytian treaty, res
olution TO direct Congressional inves
tigation into charges of ineificiency OF
the army aviation service, continuation
of the inquiry into the fitness of Louis
D. Brandeis for the Supreme Court
water power Legislation. and furthe;