The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-02

mise. congress Will meet tomorrow Iac- ing clear cut issue with the President
 RESISTANCE IS POLITICAL The Presidents friends openly charge that resistance to his programme is purely political. They make it unmis- takably clear that he does not intend to let the question be passed over by a compromise and risk '5eing embarrassed later in his negotiations with Germany by having the agitation come up again to weaken his hand. They say he in tends to have the question removed once and for all from the field of possibilities and point out that the extent of the op- position the President faces may be judged from the fact that the chairmen of the foreign affairs committees in both branches of Congress, and even Speaker Clark, to say the least, are lukewarm in their support of him. The administra- tion whips in their canvass have satis- fled themselves that a majority of the rank and file of the democrats and many of the republicans will stand by the Pres 1oent If they can succeed in forcing the question past the opposition of the lead CTS who control the machinery and to the point of vote.
 The whole effect of the days develop ments was to remove all doubt about the Presidents position The leaders went away from the White House understand ing fully what he wanted, but it was made clear soon afterward that their attitude was one of resentment against executive interference and some mem bers of the majority party frankly advo- cated prevention of congressional action of any kind. One member of the foreign affairs committee predicted that no reso- lution would be reported from that com mittee.
 LEADERS ARE MISSING
 aHx a joint committee of both houses to the President for conference tomorrow on the whole situation, hoping that it might develop some way to keep the question out of Congress altogether. To- night, when the White House was seek ing some of the leaders, notably Chair man Flood, they were not to be found at their places of residence or their usual places of assembly.
 The possibility that efforts to suppress vote may succeed is not being over looked by the Presidents friends, all though they are confident his course will prevail They say, however, that if the opposition in Congress should avoid the issue the President would not hesitate to take his case to the country.
 So far as the Senate is concerned the administration has no doubts. Even the proponents of armed ship resolutions ad- init that majority on that side of the
 
 dent. No effort to bring about vote was made today however, and it was indicated that action by the House prob ably would be awaited.
 After many informal conferences upon the return of the leaders from the White House. the House foreign affairs commit tee held two-hour session late in the afternoon and adjourned until 1O:30 to- morrow morning without taking any &C., tion Mir. Flood made no announcement, but one of the committeeman said later that the chairman intended to ask the President to receive the full committee at the White House tomorrow.
 It was apparent during the committee meeting that the controlling element was anxious to prevent the reporting of any resolution. Chairman Flood went to the meeting with at least three resolutions bearing on the subject. but he offered none of them.
 All of the members except two demo- crats were present and discussion was in6ulged in freely by democrats and re- publicans alike. Some members said they thought they should have more detailed information regarding the international situation than had been given them. They said they wanted a clearer exposition of the Presidents position; all informa- ton that Secretary Lansing could give them and whatever documents the execu- tive department had at hand bearing upcn the submarine controversy. particu-