The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1916-03-02
CONGRESS RESUMES
LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS
Agitation 10 Warn Americans
off Armed Merchantmen is
Abandoned.

Washington.-Leg business
was resumed in regular order at the
capitol this week after the recent flur
~ over international affairs that de-
moralized the work OF congress In
both houses administration leaders
have held in control the threatened
revolt against the president on the
armed ship issue, and no further out
burst Is expected unless there should
be a development apparently Leading
toward war.
Leaders OF the agitation for action
20 warn Americans off belligerent mer-
chantmen carrying arms admit there
IS no chance TO get legislation on the
subject. Senator Gore. author Of the
warning resolution IN the senate. hes
publicly declared that there is no de
sire to stay the hand Of the president
in diplomatic negotiations. He also
says the real purpose Of his resolution
already had been accomplished, and
this Is regarded by administration
leaders practically as an abandonment
Of the effort to force the issue in either
house.
Armed Merchantmen as warshlps.
Germany has instructed Count Won
Bornstorff to inform the United States
government that the assurances re-
garding the future continuance Of sub.
marine warfare. given In the Lusitania
and Arabic cases. still are binding.
but that they apply only to merchant
men OF a peaceful character.
The German government is under.
stood TO contend that armed merchant.
men, without regard TO the nature 1f
their armament, have shown them.
selves not to be peaceful and there
fore subject TO destruction without
warning
The instructions direct the German
ambassador particularly to tell Sec.
retary Lansing that British merchant.
men armed ostonsIbly only for de.
fonse have not assumed the character
OF peaceful traders. but on the con
trary. they carry guns for the especial
purpose OF attacking German submR
rines. To support this contention. the
Berlin foreign office has sent the am.
bassador. for presentation 10 the state
department, a list OF at least 90 Incl.
dents where II is asserted British mer.
chant ships have attacked submarines
Water Power Fight Renewed.
Conservation champions In the sen
ate plan 10 throw their combined
strength against the Shields bill 10
provide for leasing OF water power
sites on nayigable waters 10 private
interests. For two weeks they have
been fighting the bill in a more or less
haphazard manner. but they propose
this week 10 centralize their efforts In
the hope OF amending the measure 10
the satisfaction OF the conservation
forces. Senator Husting. OF Wiscon'
sin, who has had cooperation OF other
senators. will propose a substitute 20
the Shields bill. with regulatory fea.
lures which he declares will safeguard
the public interest and prevent monop,
oliEation OF water power facilities.
Senator Norris. OF Nebraska. charg.
ed in the senate Saturday that the
strongest lobby the capital has seen
in many years is here in the interest
OF the Shields bill and that II is com.
posed Of representatives OF the water
power trust. (which has its headquar-
ters in Wall street"
Aviation Inquiry Pressed.
AS soon as an opportunity is offered
Senator Robinson, OF Arkansas. viii
make an effort TO have passed his res,
olution providing for an inquiry into