Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-03-09
STONE TO keep
HIS SPEECH IN
HIS POCKET NOW
ActiOn of House in Disposing Of
McLemore Resolution Relieves
Senator of Necessity of
Talking.
HAS A TALK WITH PRESIDENT
Asserts that Chief Executive Has
No Desire to Plunge United
r States Into War.

WASHINGTON, D. c., March s.
Chairman Stone of the foreign re-
lations committee announced today
that he would not deliver the ad-
dress TO the senate that he has had
in preparation for some time with re-
lation to foreign issues. Mr.. Stone
conferred with President Wilson last
night following the vote in the house
tabling the McLemore resolution to
warn American citizens off armed
merchant ships of belligerents. He
said he would make a brief state
ment later.
"I have a notice standing on the
calendar to the effect that l would
tomorrow address the senate on the
subject of armed merchant ships and
on other related subjects" Senator
Stone continued. with much care
/ have prepared a speech which
purposed to deliver, and in which /
Joined issue with some senators who
have spoken on these questions, par
ticuIarly as to the law, if indeed
there be law established and recog-
nized touching the subject of armed
merchantmen"
Reasons for Being Glad.
There are potent reasons why would
be glad to lay these matured views on
this and correlated subjects before the
senate, but some of my colleagues, in
whose judgment 1 have great confidence,
number of them being substantially In
accord with my views have expressed to
me their belief that it would be wiser
and better in every way If should defer
the delivery of this ADDRESS for the time
being. / recognize the force of what they
have said to me, and in fact sympathize
with their suggestions.
Last night / had another very frank
talk with the president-I say frank, for
that Is the way we talked with each
other, as We should 1 am sure 1 will
not offend IL I say that so far from the
president desiring to involve this country
in this disastrous European war, his su.
preme wish is to avoid that calamity.
may not be in accord with some of his
views; have already stated that on tbs
floor. but It should be impossible for an,
senator to believe that the president hal
so changed the attitude he has so lonI
maintained as an advocate of peace as L
wish now to make this country a party
TO this conflict.
For Uph0lding Peace.
"As senators we'll know. / have from
the first been earnestly opposed to hav
ing any of these questions presented II
any formal way to the senate and that
have been equally opposed to any public
discussion of these questions while the!
were the subject of diplomatic negotiR
tion. In this view 1 have determined tina
could better serve the cause that hav
- at heart-that is, the maintenance OF peac
IN this country-by1 Withholding any ex
preston of my opinions so long as tn
questions at issue are the legitimate sub
joNt of diplomatic negotiations.
Il profoundly hope that no occasion
will arise when shall feel obliged to tax
these subjects up in public way, but II
perchance. such an occasion should arise
/ will speak and act as think. In tn
meantime shall give the president what
ever support / can in the discharge O
those duties devolved upon him by tn
constitution"