New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-26
Resolution Warning
Citizens Off Armed
Ships Blocked.
LODGE STANDS
BY PRESIDENT
Bryan Telegram to Paci-
fists Fails to Stir
House. =.
From Tbs Tribun. Bureau J


Washington, Feb. 25.-The at.
tempt to stampede Congress into
forcing the Presidents hand and
accomplishing a surrender of Amer
lean rights to the exigencies Of Ger
nan submarine warfare seemed to-
night to have collapsed. Apparently,
the Presidents firm stand, expressed
IN his letter to Senator Stone, has
done its work.
There is still a tremendous senti.
ment in the House and Senate,
amounting to a majority in the
House. and a substantial minority
in the Senate, in favor of res
o,ution warning Americans off armed
merchantmen, but the prospects for
passage of such a resolution have
dwindled to practically nothing.
All of the leaders, whether they
personally favor the resolution or
lot, are beseeching their friends in
Goth houses not to complicate the sit
uation, even by talking. The parlia-
mentary situation in the House, dus
to the control by friends OF the
Administration of the Rules Commit
tee, which prevents a special rule
ordering a vote on the resolution,
makes il certain that a vote could
not be obtained in the House before
June. unless the friends Of the meas.
ure could muster two-tn,rds major
ity. This is not believed to be pos
sible to-day, although it would have
had a -fourths ma ajority day be-
fore yesterday.
In the Senate all but about six OF
the Republicans are opposed to any
surrender of American rights. The
policy of the minority, despite few
radical exceptions, has had its effect
in cooling the panic of the Demo-
Gratis.
Figuring on Consequences.
The latter are now wondering
what would be the poliCical conse-
ouences of a surrender resolution
passed by Democratic votes in oppo-
sition to the President they conceds
must be renominated if the Demo-
Gratis wish chance of retaining the
spoils of Office for another four
years. With most of the RepublI
cans, large minority Of the Demo-
Gratis are opposed to taking any
action to which the President is
opposed.
Senator Sheppard, of Texas, the
state of Representative NcLemore.
whose resolution warning Amerl-
cans off armed ships helped start
the wave of fear Thursday, declared
to-day it would be almost criminal
10 pass any resolution which would
embarrass the President in his nego-
tiations with Germany.
Despite all the cloak room ora
tory" he said. II do not believe such
a resolution could muster majority
in a Democratic caucus
A ringing statement from Senator
Lodge, ranking Republican men,
ber of the Foreign Relations Com
mittee, which virtually calls on the
Republicans to support the Presi-
dent now that he has taken a firm
stand, sums up the way alost of the
Republican Senators feel about the
situation.
"Of course, shall stand by the
President" declared Senator Lodge.
Il agree fully with what ne says ire
ferring to the Presidents letter TO
Senator Stone). | believe it would
proclaim US To the world as towards
to tell our citizens that they must
not exercise their undouLted rights
and that if they do so We shall not
protect them. A nation that will
not protect its citizens cannot pro-
tect itself. and if Democracy fails to
project itself how can we hope 10
live"
Wilson Unmoved BY Leaders.
President Wilson turned deaf ear
early in the day to the pleas = Speak
er Clark, Floor Leader Kitcnin and
Chairman Flood o. the House Foreign
Affairs Committee when they went I.
the White House and told him Of ths
| seriousness OF the revol, in the House
| The President virtually sent a message
| 20 the House through these recognize,
| Democratic leaders that Congre.,
should not b. permitted to "compro
mise a@tional honor"
| The President is so confident thu,
the country Is behind him in his op,o
Sltlon TO Democratic le.slers Who fayo,