Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-19
SUBMARINE ISSUE
Continued from Page One)

| Continued from Page One)
Does the gentleman from North Car
olina desire immediate action on this?'
asked Rep. Mondell, acting as Republic"
can leader in the absence Of Rep. Mann.
| YES" responded the Democratic
leader. II understand the President has
some very important communication to
make"
Passed by House
Without debate or opposition the
House at once passed the resolution
and the clerk carried it over to the SEN
ate Up to the moment the clerk en-
tered a majority Of the senators still
were in ignorance Of the development.
Senator Kern awaited the clerks an
nouncement Of the House resolution,
and at once asked for it's immediate
| adoption.
Senate Acts
A sense of it's meaning electrified the
| chamber, although the senators were IN
ignorance Of it's full purpose, and IN
tense silence it was passed.
Secretary Tumulty returned to the
White House, and Congress. as the posi-
bilities of the Presidents action dawned
upon it, was galvanized with a reaiiza-
ton of its significance.
| The Senate. which had settled down TO
q night session on the army bill, nsteneo
attentively while Senator Williams spoke
OF the need of national defence, and then
in quick succession adopted amendments
| which in effect would eventually create
an available fighting force of one million
men. The reorganization of the National
Guard the creation of volunteer army,
military training in schools and an
amendment to increase the standing army
| to 1000 men-a number much IN excess
| of the military committees recommeno-
atoms or the provisions of the House Dill
were quickly approved. and the Dill IT.
! self was passed and sent to conference
| to adjust differences with the House
There was no visible connection between
the two events, but their significance was
remarked upon.
There is only one instance in modern
diplomatic history in which a breaking
of diplomatic relations between two nrst
class powers has not eventually been 1ol-
| lowed by war 1t is the breaking OF re-
lations between Germany and Italy, ana
it stands alone as precedent against
what diplomatists regard as the newt
able.
Wilson's purpose
President Wilson's purpose in going
before Congress is explained to be IN
recognition of the fact that. while the
executive branch Of the government
has power to break diplomatic rela-
tons, Congress alone has the power
to declare war, and the President feels
therefore that it should be advised OF
an action in which 1t may subsequent
Ily be called upon to bear part.
President Wilson has guarded with
unusual precautions for secrecy the
" ords he will deliver. Contrary to GUS
tom, no copy Of his remarks will be
given out in advance. He will read
from personally prepared manuscript
on which he has worked three days
and Of which no copy was made. Some
of the cabinet members know, and they
are bound in honor not to reveal the
Presidents aim before he speaks to
Congress, the country and to Germany.
The President has refused to tell his
own secretary because, as the Presi-
dent expressed it, he expected his Sec
rotary would be questioned about it.
Won Bernstorff's Call
Count Won Bernstorff, the Germa
ambassador, calling upon Secretary
Lansing, by direction Of his govern
ment, almost at the II. oment the Presi-
dent was arranging the joint session
of Congress, was informed that the
secretary could not discuss the situa-
ton with him at this time. 1t was evil
dent that the ambassador was seeking
information of the American govern
ment's plans and that it had been de-
cided he should not have it,
The ambassador cid state, however,
t. Secretary Lansina, that while under
no circumstances could Germany give
up the submarine because 1t was be-
ing used in retaliation for Great Brit
ans food blockade, his country would
attempt to use the suhmersibles in &C
, cordance with International law and
, with Germany's assurances to the
United States.
} He added that in any case where in
; structions to submarine commanders
We're violated, reparation would be
made, in accordance with the assur-
) ances given in the Lusitania, Arabic
told the ambassador he would see himi
again in a few days. When the ambas-
| sador learned of arrangements for to-
morroW's joint session of Congress. he
apparently was as much surprised as
the remainder of official Washington.
Optimistic throughout, even when the
diplomatic negotiations seemed in tight
corners and the much discussed break
seemed imminent, his confidence re-
manned mistaken. He expressed his
opinion that everything would come
out all right in the end.
Ultimatum minated
Until today's cabinet meeting, state
ments were semi officially authorized
that communication to GERMANY
was being prepared which would be in
the nature of an ultimatum, reciting a
long list OF distinctions of vessels in
1 rf