Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-02
STORMY DEBATE IN SENATE
ON U-BOATS- HOUSE BALKS

Continued from PAGE One
the contention that merchant ships have
the right to arm for defensive purposes.
what is defense? He does not say and
I do not know Furthermore, his attitude
is. as | understand It, that II German
submarine should attack merchantmen
and II American citizens should suffer
he would hold the German Government
strictly to account, and if the German
Government persisted In it's course he
would call the matter to the attention
OF Congress, the war-making body of the
Government.
MY opinion Is mature and nv sense
Of duty Is imperative.
But with the aid of Congress- the
President would be able to bring both
Germany and Great Britain to terms and
relieve the acute situation"
Emphasizing the seriousness OF the sit.
uation, Stone requested that Congress ad-
journ tonight to an early meeting tomor.
row morning He said 1t was essential
that the President should have a thorough
knowledge that Congress was behind him
II he was to bring about a satisfactory
solution of the problems with Germany and
with Great Britain; II II were possible, he
said, he favored putting the Gore resolu.
ton to vote late today
LODGE UPHoLDs WILSON.
Senator Stone was followed by Senator
Lodge, who agreed the question should
come to vote at once. that the President
sorely needed the aid of all Senator's of
whatever political party.
Senator Lodge paralleled the present
and the past Mexican situation. THE
criticism of the Administration for fall
ure to protect Americans in Mexico. de-
spite warnings to them, continues" said
Lodge
"The attitude of the President in his
letter to Senator Stone is the one 1 have
always upheld He has a right to vote
and to know II Congress Is behind him or
whether Congress takes the view that the
Power Is taking"
WILLIAMS WITH WILSON
"There are times" said Senator VIII.
iams following Senator Lodge, when
there are irrepressible conflicts The time
has now come when we must settle this
question of America.
"The President has been brought to this
by Senators who have repre-.
sented the Pleas of foreign capitals. Shall
exclaim America first = or Shall 1 sing
Deutschland ueber allies" p"
Senator Williams insinuated that fool.
ish politicians were responsible for the
Presidents difficulties.
Americans without frills, embroideres
or hyphens have right to live here and
be heard" said Mr.. Williams ironically,
for Americansm in the present
dispute
Foreign relations are the work OF the
President. The Chief Magistrate of the
United States has been nagged and
prodded, aye. dared to surrender the initia.
tive in foreign relations TO Congress.
livery WE'LL he says you have made
my enemies believe / am weak, that my
people are disunited. Now, want show
down.
And believe 1t will be a show-up."
said Williams.
Bring on your Gore resolution or any
other resolutions and table them. Let's
see whether Senators stand against the
President on a principal of international
law 500 years oldH'
1.-THE international law is plain" con-
tinued Williams, "and Germany wishes to
change 1t and make US party to the
crime. For us to recognize Germany's
claim would be an unneutral act. The
only danger of war is in the effort to
prevent the President IRON carrying on
negotiations. 1t is your action and yours
alone that induced the last position taken
by Germany"
GORE ON DEFENSE.
Denouncing all American sympathizers
with European belligerents, Senator Gore
81 believe the holders of half billion
,f the Allies bonds would like to have us
insure their cause" he said "Our whole
welfare should not be placed in the hands
IF any one madcap American who might
ship on an armed merchantmen.
ut Is right that is survival of
piracy, but civilization abrogates brutal
light" Gore continued. Slavery was once
I legal right. Every madcap American
citizen has legal right to risk his own
life and engulf his nation in bloodshed.
Every American has a right to be pro-
-ected against becoming involved in this
outchery.
MY only contention Is that pending
this struggle the legal rights should be
withdrawn. We ought TO say, as we would
to a son or daughter, don't you go on an
armed ship
IF an American Is killed, what conso-
alton to his family is war;"
CLAPP TAKES A HAND.
"Your resolution doesn't withdraw the
light of any American to travel, does it?'
asked Clapp.
mo; 1t urges Americans not to exercise
It," answered Gore.
mo- II just warns them IL they exercise
hat right we'll withdraw our protection"
exclaimed Senator Lodge.
The chamber was crowded during the
debate, all Senators were present, and
here were at least 100 visitors from the
ower House standing.
Senator Borah asked Gore If the reso-
luton passed and 100 Americans were
killed by a submarine. would the Presi-
lent refuse to take action?
Senator Gore replied that passage Of
his resolution would prevent just such a
slaughter. by refusal of passports to
Americans,
Senator Gore insisted his resolution was
Of the same principle as the ruling OF the
state Department refusing to issue pass