The Washington herald., 1916-04-20
SAYS WILSON'S
COURTING WAR
Republican Leader Mann De-
clares Presidents Attitude
Is a Political Move.
VARDAMAN SEES WAR
Republicans Unanimous in Denuncia-
ton of Stand-Democrats Divided.
Opinions of Members.

Bitter criticism of the President on
the Republican side, and noncommittal
approval from the Democratic wing were
forthcoming from members of the House
and Senate yesterday after the President
had delivered the message on his sub
marine policy and the impending break
with Germany.
"A political campaign dodge" was the
way Republican Leader Mann character
lied President Wilson's address to Con-
gress on the submarine issue.
Il think this government should be
neutral" said Representative Mann.
The President has never been neutral.
He has been on the side Of Great Britain
all the time. What he said today about
Germany, while it is grossly exagger-
ated. Is a just complaint.
But he could say just the same thing
about England and our shipping, substi-
tuting Selling ships for sinking ships
If we are to maintain our rights against
the one We ought to maintain our rights
against both.
Tt is a mistake to break OF diplo-
matte relations with Germany That is
simply to quit in a petulant mood.
I'VE will not save any lives by that
move. We may just abandon our COM
merce and our Citizenry. 1t Is perfectly
evident that the President, as a cam
PaigR dodge, is trying to work up to a
point where he can get into a war with
Germany during a Presidential cam
paign.
Senator Vardaman took very serious
view of the situation. He said:
I can read this note in but one way.
The German government must at once
discontinue its submarine warfare and
put its submarines in the dry dock or we
will sever diplomatic relations and that
means war If she Yields it means that
81 ufE 70 do
We have any right to make the demand"
Hits Wilson's Policy.
Senator William Alden Smith, RepubH-
cam of Michigan:
We are face to face. at last. with the
dangerous. far reaching and trying situa-
ton. much of which would have been
avoided had the President been more
resOlutc and purpOsefUI a year ago. In
my opinion. much of the difficulty now
surrounding our diplomatic relations is
due to the folly and lack Of foresight
shown by the administration in the con-
duct of its foreign affairs"
Senator Curtis, Republican. Kansas:
I think the message will be generally
approved by the people at large. but there
is some doubt as to the necessity of
presenting the matter to Congress after
:he President had acted"
Senator Gallinser, the Republican
leader:
Congress will go very slow in a
matter like this which may involve US in
A horrible war. ! perhaps shouldn't
criticise the Presidents action, but I
believe it would have been less alarm
ing to the country il he had sent a
written message to Congress- He has
said in effect that We don't like Ger
many's submarine methods and we would
ike to know what she is going to do
ah b11f I hell he
var"
PheIan Defends President.
Senator Phelan, Democrat, of Califor-
MIA:
The President has been driven to take
his stand. 1t was not voluntarily as
sUmed. The world and the country must
.ecognize that there is such thing as
Neutral rights"
Senator MARITIME Democrat. of New
Jersey:
The message was just about what we
nEpeCted and I approve it. I think it
means a severance Of diplomatic reIa-
ions. but not necessarily war"
Senator POmerene. Democrat, of Ohio:
We must either approve of this mes
-age, regrettable though it is that cir
.umstanCes have made it necessary, or
We must be able to state how many
more neutral vessels may be tOrpedOed
without warning and state how many
more American lives can be lost with
out taking action
Senator Weeks, Republican, of Massa-
husetts:
7 am not inclined to think I would
have gone as far as the President did
in my condemnation of submarine war
fare. It would not seem to make diff
terence to me whether a merchant ship
Of an enemy is destroyed by a gun or
by a torpedo I think the time has come
when the President should take a posi-
tive position on the general question of
the kind of submarine warfare being
waged."
Representative Flood, chairman of the
Foreign Relations Committee, said:
Il do not think the President could /
have been any more moderate or con-
servative under the circumstances con-
1ectsd with the controversy than he was
n his message. I think his course is /
pound to be approved by the country !
and Congress.