The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1916-01-26
CONGRESS TURNS
TO PREPAREDNESS
is UPPERMOST IN THE MINDS
OF THE CoNGRESSMEN
AT PRESENT.

Washington, Jan. 23.-Presiden
wilson's determination to talk to tn,
lpeople of the Middle West on ma
tional preparedness has restored tha
issue as the uppermost subject of dis
cussion in congress. For severa
weeks preparedness has been over
shadowed by the Mexican situation
and international questions resulting
from the European war. With thu
president about to tour the country
to arouse the public to the nation:
military requirements, administra
ton and opposition leaders realize
that lively times are ahead on capi
tol hill.
Democratic leaders in sympathy
with the presidents preparedness
views are gratified that the chief ex.
ecutive will take the field, inasmuch
as there has been apparent in con.
gress tendency to adopt a waiting
policy by many members uncertain
regarding the views of their con-
stituents on the subject. The presi,
dents tour, it is believed, will serve
the double purpose of bringing out
public opinion and stirring up the
Legislators.
On the other hand, opponents of
preparedness see in the presidents
trips an opportunity to further their
cause by replying to his arguments
in the senate and house.
Uneasiness over the Mexican sit
uation, which stirred congress, has
greatly abated and probably will not
be revived soon unless sensational de-
velopments occur in Mexico. Admin
istration leaders regard the danger of
being forced into difficulties with the
Carranza government averted for the
present and even Republicans of the
senate have concluded not to force
the issue of intervention to a vote at
this time. Senator Borah, one of
the foremost believers in the necessi-
ty of military action in Mexico by the
United States, has decided there is
nothing to be done at this time.
Democratic leaders in both houses
expect Mexican speeches to be made
now and then as matter of course,
but they are satisfied that the situa-
ton is in their control for the pres
ent at least. Some time during the
week Representative Humphrey of
Washington, expects to make a
speech assailing the administrators
Mexican policy. It also is probable
that President Wilson's reply to the
senate in which mass of detail re-
garding Carranza and Mexico will be
included will serve to arouse inter-
est of congress again. 1t is proba-
BILE that this reply will not be sent to
the senate until the president returns
from the West.
No Action Now.
Interest still is apparent at the CAPT
tol in the European situation, but no
legislative action is expected. En-
barge resolutions have been submit
ted to a subcommittee on foreign rel
ations and no report is anticipated
for some time.
With regard to legislation in gen
eral both houses continue to travel
slowly, Notwithstanding efforts of ad-
ministration leaders to speed up the
legislative machinery. Committees
nave been urged to work faster and
signs of progress are looked for dur
ing the week. In the house now that
Majority Leader Kitchin has returned
from North Carolina, leaders will at
tempt to inaugurate the speeding up
programme and senate chieftains will
do all they can, although they must
depend upon progress first in the
house on appropriation bills and rev.
enue legislation.
The revenue bills must wait until
an estimate of what money needed is
available, so the ways and means
committe hardly will accomplish
much before the military and naval
committee reports come weeks hence
The immigration bill with its lit
eracy test will be reported this week.
Feeling over this measure is high ev-
en- in the committee and its appear
ance on the floor is expected to pre-
cipitate heated argument.
Peace advocates will be given a
hearing Tuesday by the foreign af-
fairs committee when resolutions
looking to formation of peace COM