The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-01

A BIC STIR over
WILSON REQUEST
Demand for Vote on Foreign
Policy Shock to All.
President Asks for Showdown
on Warming to Americans.
MANY DEMOCRATS ANGERED
"VOtes Back Home" May Be
Affected by New Issue.
No Chance for Congress to
Yield, Says Champ Clark.
President Asks for Showdown
on Warming to Americans.
MANY DEMOCRATS ANGEREI
RY WILLIS J. ABBOT.

Washington, March 1.-THE presi-
dent has launched his submarine at
tack without warning and without OPP
portunity for life saving" said an IN
diana representative Tuesday night
OF that vote which he demands Is
taken. ii means the political death OF
many a good Democrat which ever
way he may vote.
Official washington gasped when
the White House made public letter
from the president to Representative
Edward Pou, North Carolina, acting
chairman of the house rules commit
tee, asking an "early vote on pro-
posals to warn Americans off bel
ligerent merchant ships" Democratic
leaders of the house who have fought
for a week at the presidents behest to
prevent a vote on the resolutions
threw up their hands in dismay- They
had no warning of a change IN the
presidents attitude and were not con-
suited before the first letter was writ
ten.
Not since the days Immediately pre-
ceding the Spanish war have con-
gressionaI circles been so excited as
now. In the lobby of Congress Hall
hotel, on Capitol Hill, the home of
seventy congressman and the rem
devious of as many more, the crowd
had the appearance of political con-
vention Tuesday night. Speaker Clark
was there, his tall form dominating
with approving gestures manifesting
sympathy with the many speakers who
criticized the president for reViving an
issue they thought had been lulled to
sleep.
Defends President.
tom" Helfin, the court Jester, de-
Tended the president against the crit
:cism of Decor Of Missouri until
committee, in the interest of peace,
led the oratorical Alabaman, away.
Cline. Walker, Goodwin, Shackelford
and Smith of the foreign affairs com
mittee and Garrett and Foster of the
rules, discussed the situation on which
their committees will have the lead
ing part.
One copy Of the presidents letter to
Mr.. Pou, in the possession of the
press, was the only source of informa-
ton and it was passed from hand 10
hand. 1t was the universal opinion the
president had reopened an issue that
would result in hurt to himself and his
party.
1t was apparent, however, that
Chairman Flood and the members Of
the foreign affairs committee are re
sentful over what one of them called
the slap in the face administered 10
that committee by the president. All
the resolutions of the tenor of which
the president complains are in the pos
session of the foreign affairs commit
tee. Last week that committee Of
fered to report or withhold these -eso-
lutions, according to his desire.
Changes His Opinion.
His response was that he would
consider it a personal affront if any
of the resolutions should be reported.
Now he ignores the committee alto
| gether and asks the rules committee
to bring in a rule compelling the for
eign affairs committee to do precise
ly what it offered to do.
| Chairman Flood made no open ex-
preston of his resentment but the
champions of the administration in
the lobby were very busy assuring him
| that no slight was intended and that
he would no doubt receive a letter
from the president today. The COM
mittee viii! be called together at once.
/ but Mr.. Flood refused to express an
| opinion as to its fact.
| The consensus of opinion at this
spontaneous gathering was that the
president had been led into a serious
predicament by unwise counsellors.
mo king ever lost his throne or his
head save by the advice of foolish
| courtiers," remarked Shackelford of
Missouri, sententiously. 1t seems to
puzzle the active Democrats in con-
| gresS to discover who it is that advises
the president as to congressional SEN
timent Whoever the adviser is, it is
the belief that some one had misled