Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-02


WASHINGTON. March i.-Confersnces
among leaders In the senate and house
developed that 90 few men who talked
with the president were agreed on a
course in regard to what congress should
do In regard TO armed ship controversy
that action seemed improbable without
another conference at the white house.
IL was understood President Wilson does
not feel that vote Of confidence will ac-
complish the object he seeks and that
foreign capitals can be made TO under
stand that the American government is
united In the submarine negotiations only
by the out and out defeat OF resolu-
ton proposing to warn Americans off
armed ships.
The views OF some OF the leaders de-
veloped to he so much in conflict with
those which tho president outlined at
J his morning conference that the leaders
urged tho appointment OF Joint COM
mittee to so 10 President Wilson to ask
him for an official statement of what he
wants congress 10 do. The leaders con-
sdercd the situation very much muddled.
Clark for Joint ResOlutisR.
Speaker Clark after a conference with
other house leaders and some democratic
senators advised the foreign affairs COM
mlttee to recommend a Joint resolution
which would provide for the appointment
OF such committee.
! Senators stone. Kern. Overman, Martin.
Swanson and Gore held a brief confer
ence, at the conclusion OF which 1t was
agreed. that nothing should be done in
the senate today.
House Leaders Draft Resolution.
House leaders today drafted for con-
alteration OF the house a measure pro-
posing that congress express Its conf
denoe In the presidents handling OF the
armed merchantmen controversy and
recognize that Il Is not a matter OF leg
lslative, but OF cSecntlve concern.
,.The president positively did not ask
for such q resoiutlou" said Mr.. Flood.
speaking OF the new proposaL This
form has been broached since returned
II from rlie white House conference"
4 Pending the sounding OF sentiment on
the resolution the meeting OF the foreign
affairs commlttec was postponed from
O'Clock TO an indefinite hour. Meantime
leaders conferred on the new proposal
II was argued by some that this would
relieve the house of going on record on
the armed ship proposition. The views Of
tho White House were awaited eagerly.
Predictions that the president would not
indorse the proposed reBolatio0 were
freely expressed. Chairman Flood sought
to set democratic and republican mem
: bers together 80 the resolution might be
agreed upon and reported out when the
committee meets later today.
: Another Resolution Prepared.
, Chairman Flood also. prepared another
resolution combining the warning reso-
luton with an endorsement OF the presi-
dents attitude.
Leaders who last week were positive in
asserting warning resolution would
: pass today were ailent. They insisted
there was no way TO tell the tsnpsR OF
{ the houss.
Republicans were said 70 be almost a.
much divided on the proposals a. ths
democrats. Representative Mann would
4 make no public statement OF his views
D He said merely that the present situa-
: tion was a very serious one" and tha'
e was all.
y KLtchin is Sarcastic.
I THE habit OF obedience has been de-
: veloped to a high degre in congress-" wal
s Mr.. Kitchens answer to q question about
= propects OF vote. He il one OF thoss
who have favored tho resolutions. One
plan discussed was for the house foreign
affairs committee to report adversely one
= Of the pending resolutions and at th'
same time have the rules committee bring
!, In rule limiting debate. BY that plan
!. vote could be reached in the house tomor
. row or Friday and the question would b,
taken up in the senate immediately after
= ward.