Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-02-25

things that have made America a
sovereign natien She cannot yield
them without eoncedng her own im-
potency as a nation ana making Nif-
tual surrender OF her independent
position among the nations of the
world.
II am speaking. my dear senator,
in deep solemnity without heat, with
a clear conscientiousness Of the high I
responsibilities of my office. and rs /
your sincere and devoted friend. If !
we should unhappily differ We shall I
differ rs friends. but where issues so /
as these arc involved Va /
must. Just because we are friends, |
speak our minds without reservation |
Faithfully yours,
"WOODROW WILSON"
Ends All Speculation.
The president wrote his letter dur |
ing the afternoon, shutting himself /
up In his study while congressional |
leaders vanly attempted to get him |
on the telephone to tel him OF de-
yelopments at the capitol. and to ar |
range for the call OF the house lead |
ers lie began to write afirr telc |
phone conferences with cabinet mem-
bcrs and other close advisers. His |
decision was to end all speculation |
over what the position Of the gov /
ornment was and to let congress and /
the country know what the admins +
tration believed the United states /
could do nothing but stand behind the
rights cf its citizens to the freedom
of the seas.
Situation Unchanged.
At the state department. today i;
was state dthat in its international
aspects the situation had not changed
in the slightest degree for three or
four days, Officials said nothing had
been heard fro mGcrmany in response
to the request Of the United states
for assurances that previous pledges
given in the Lusitania and Arabic
negotiations would not be nullified
by the new campaign against armed
ships. Count Won Bernstorff, the
German ambassador through whom
The request was made, also was said
to be without information as TO when
= response would be forthcoming.
Confidential advices from Berlin
have indicated that Germany would
reply that all assurances previously
given would he Observed but that
they applied only TO unarmed vessels
and would propose discussion of what
defensive armament properly may be.
How far such proposal would 10
toward altering tne situation said
to depend largely upon additional in
formation as to how armed british
merchantmen are said ia have warred
on German submersiblcs which IS
now OH the way to Washington ny
mail.
United States Stands Pat.
Administration officials reiterated
today the declaration that the United
States never had departed since the
beginning of the submarine contro-
versy from its stand for the opserv-
anee Of international law. And theH
pointed out That throughout history
the right OF merchantmen to carry
limited armament solely for defen-
sive purposes never had been qncs-
toned
Today's developments in congress
showed the administration leaders
holding their lines against any such
action as the president opposes
canvass of the senate disclosed senti-
ment in favor of Preident Wilson's
position dominating. In the house
the administration position was less
certain, but the leaders were conf
dent that vote would show an over
whelming majority for upholding the
president.
stones Letter.
Senator stones letter to the presl-
dent follows.
Dear Mr. President. Since SEN
ator Kern, Mr. Flood and | talked
with you on Monday evening, | am
more troubled than ! have been for
many day. / have not felt au-
thorzed to repeat our conversation
but | have attempted in response TO
numerous inquiries from my col
leagues, 60 state 60 them within the
confidence that they should observe,
my general understanding Of your at
titudc. | have stated my understand
ing of your attitude To be substan-
TALLY as follows:
- That while you would deeply
regret the rejection by Great Britain
Of Mr. Lansngs proposal for the dis
armament Of merchant vessels of the
allies with the understanding that
Germany ana her allies would not
fire upon merchant ship II she
hauled to when summoned, not at
tempting, TO escape and that the GER
man warships would molly exercise
the admitted right of visitation AMI
capture and would not destroy the
captured ship except when reasonably
assured Of the safety of passengers
and crew, you were nf the opinion
that if Great Britain and her allies
rejected the proposal and insisted
upon arming her merchantships she
would be within her rights under in
tcrnational law. Also that you would
feel disposed to allow armed vessels
to he cleared from our ports; also
that you are ont favorably disposed
to the idea Of this government tax
ing any definite steps toward pre-
venting American citizens from en-
barking upon armed merchant yes
sells. Furthermore that you would
consider il your duty II German
warship should fire upon an armed