Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-02-24
(By Morning journal Special Leased Wire.)

that time the United States VIII In
form Germany that merchant ships
carrying arms for defensive purposes
only are considered IN the same class
as unarmed vessels and that the right
of American citizens TO travel upon
them can not be questioned.
Cabinet 10 Meet Friday.
The cabinet is expected 60 review
the situation lsriday and II it has ar
rived to consider the German reply.
Democratic leaders will cndeavor
to prevent discussion of the question
from breaking out at the capital TO-
morrow Representative Foster OF
Illinois, has prepared a resolution to
authorize the president to issue 4
proclamation against bordering
armed vessels Of belligerents, which.
1t was said he may offer from the
floor. 4 similar resolution presented
by Representative McLemore OF Tex
as is before the foreign affairs COM
mittec.
senator Gore has announced hiS
intention Of introducing Il bill tomur-
row which Is TAR more drastic than
suggestions made in the house aud
would prevent Americans from pro-
curing passports without making oath
thai they would not travel on armed
belligerent vessels.
Republican Leader Mann and Ma
iorlty Leader kitcliln held an extent
cd conference after the house adj
iourned tonight. but both insisted that
they did not discuss proposed lcgls-
latiun on the subject.
Feeling Is Tense.
\ tense feeling pervaded the capt
tol as members began TO arrive dur
Ing the morning and on all sides
there were Inquiries for definition
OF the presidents exact position. soon
Representative Flood was being call
ed upon for an answer. Little groups
gathered In the house lobby talking
earnestly. but apparently without auv
definite plan for precipltating the
excitement which followed later N
the day Discussion continued and
then Chairman FLOOD, Majority Lead
or kitchin and Representative Harf1-
son OF Mississippi, held II conference
in the majority leaders office. Sim
ultaneously came word that a delcsa-
tion Of Missouri congressman who
favored the resolution had called on
Senator stone ana insisted that i
vote of the two houses he taken OH
il. The floor buzzed with rumots
Of an impending outbreak from the
advocates of the resolution
war claims bills under formal con-
sideration In the house were left III
the hands Of II few on the floor. Rep
resentatve McLemore, author of the
resolution nov before the committee.
Chalrman Webb OF the judiciary cont
lnittec and Representative Helm of
Alabama. were ccnters of groups
seeking information. The cloak rooms
fairly hummed with conversations
while members rushed on aud off the
floor.
4 rumnr that Chairman Flood had
promised Mr.. McLemore a hearing on
his resolution and another that the
resolution would he reported soon Gre
ated a wave Of excitement Members
FASTENED to AIR Flood only to find
the reports were untrue. When the
conference ia MIR kitchin's room end
ed. the majority leader hurried over
TO speaker Clarks office. The re-
turn of the Missourians, Represents
tives lgoe. Decker, Hensley Russell
ana Shackcltord from their call on
senutor stone was the signal for an
other stir.
On Brink OF War.
Il fear we are on the brink of war,
aud we should avoid II II possible,
Representative Decker said. NO
democrat is more willing to uphold
the hands Of the president than |. but
] think this is step that should h
taken without regard to his views.
It then was an hour before adjourn
meut time Administration leaders.
fearing some attempt would be made
io bring mp the subject on the floor.
made every effort to avoid IL one
democratic leader expressed the view
that if the resolution could have beer
brought ~ today. It would have pass
ed hN majority Of -four 10 one. but
that two days hence It would fail
Without a foreign affairs committee
report cn the resolution Il could haNe
been considered only By unanimous
consent, or q special rule. But 10
attempt was made today to do other
than obtain a committee report and
the house adjourned while informal
talk still was going on.
After adjournment the democrats
of the foreign affairs committee were