The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1916-03-01
CALLS
FOR SHOWDOWN"
FROM CONGRESS
Finds That He Cannot Act in Submar-
inc Situation Until Position is
Strengthened.
BEING HELD
:. 4. .~ WITH MEMBERS TODAY
Wilson Makes It Plain That It is He
Who is Held for Foreign
Policy.

Washington, March president
Wilson decided yesterday that he
could not proceed with the German
submarine negotiations while dissen-
sion in congress weakens his position
before the world, so he called for a
"showdown" on the pending propos-
ials to warn Americans off merchant
ships of European belligerents, arm
ed for defense.
Making clear that he considers the
president and not congress is charged
with the conduct of the foreign rela-
tions of the United States, he wrote
a letter to Representative Pou, act
ing chairman of the house rules COM
mittee, asking him to provide parlia-
mentary means for bringing the agi-
tation out into the open on the floor
of the house for full discussion and
a VOTE
Called to Conference.
Later, he summoned Senator Stone
and Representative Flood, chairman
of the foreign affairs committees, and
Senator Kern, majority leader in the
senate, for a conference at the White
House late today, at which he will
request that one Of the pending reso-
lutions be acted upon in both houses
Administration leaders working
steadily for the last week strength
ening their lines and counting on the
support of the Republicans, now are
so sure of their position that they
plan to end all agitation with a vote
of confidence in the president.
This course was decided upon after
yesterdays cabinet meeting at which
it was discussed and after a weeks
quite steady work at the capitol.
Want Prompt Action.
Prompt action is desired, particul-
arly in the house.. where agitation
has been most turbulent and where
Speaker Clark predicted auto-admin-
istration resolutions when first in
troduced would have passed by ma
jority of two to one. There never has
been any question Of the administra-
tion's control on the senate side.
Adoption of the pending resolution
would practically amount to congress
sional reputation of policies an
nounced and contended for by Presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary Lansing
all through the submarine negotia-
tions which more than once were in
a crisis.
Can Follow Course.
With their defeat and an affirma-
ton by a majority of congress of
their confidence in the presidents
course, Mr.. Wilson's supporters point
out he will be enabled to continue to
contend for the principles of inter-
national law and humanity with a
united government behind him and
with the same force as he did before
minority in congress weakened his
position more than all arguments OF
the foreign diplomats with whom he
had to contend.
Have Drawn Picture.
Dispatches from Berlin and Vienna
have pictured how the congressional
agitation was received there as indi
eating that the president in his de-
mands upon Germany and Austria dit
not have the support Of his own part!
and was being opposed by elected rep
resentatives of the people.
| Came as Surprise.
News of the presidents decision
came as distinct surprise at the cap
itol, where the leaders of both house,
lheard of it first through reports O
the letter received by Mr.. Pou. Their
were some expressions of dissatisfac
ton, particularly among members o
the house at the course adopted.
J. K. Given left last night for tn
Twin Cities where he will spend
short time on business affairs.