The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-05-26
Congressman St0ut'S
Weekly Letter

more serious mood than it was after
the president had appeared and deliv-
cred his message concerning the sub
marine controversy. The president
was received in the friendly and SYM
pathetic spirit which has always char
acterized at least the majority when
ever the chief executive has come up
to congress to deliver message and
yet the occasion was marked by a
solemnity which was never before ap-
parent. A death-like stiffness pervad-
ed the chamber while he was speak
ing. There was much less applause
during the actual course of the deliv-
cry of the message than usual as all
present seemed intent upon catching
every word uttered. The air was dyn-
annie with the intensity of interest
which the members felt in what their
chief was telling them and this feeling
found its outlet when the legislators
and galleries broke into great cheer
when the reading of the message was
concluded.
President Wilson, too, it appeared
to me, wore an air of greater gravity
than upon any previous visit to the
capitol. But as he recited the story of
Germany's reputation of her promises
to this country and of his determine
ton to call for one final, unequivocal
showdown, there crept into his voice
note of determination which was not
lost upon his audience.
Congress is naturally divided into
groups over the present status of our
relations with Germany. There are
men who hold that
we would better submit to almost any
indignity rather than precipitate
condition which might lead to war
with any country. There are ardent
sympathizers of the German cause
who contend that the exigencies of a
struggle justify the mode
of warfare which the Teutons have
There are men who hold
deep seated grudges against England
and who think that we have been
quite as badly treated by Great Brit
ain as by Germany. There are Eng
lish sympathizers who think that we
would be justified, in the cause of hui
manity in Selling upon the slightest
pretext, or no pretext at all, for throw
ing in our fortunes with the allies.
Taken as a whole, congress does not
want war. If there is no way out, con-
gress may be depended upon to get in
almost to a man behind the president
but about nine out of ten men here on
The hill are hoping that way out
may be discovered.
The extreme views of the presi- |
Tents purpose was expressed by Jim
Mann, the republican leader, who, fol- |
owing the delivery of the message, |
gave out an interview charging the |
chief magistrate with trying to pro-
yoke war with Germany for "politic- |
Il effect" I seriously doubt if, in his /
nnermost heart, Mann really believes
my such thing. 1t is safe to assert |
hat very few of his republican col
eagues believe it. If the president
las wanted war with Germany the
lays Immediately following the sink
lignation; then he would have been
he time for him to start it. Then the
country was afame with anger and in
lignatinn; then he would have been
in almost any action which
lie might have taken. But with the
supreme patience which has marked
lis course through the diplomatic bat
lie which he has been waging for more
han year since that great tragedy,
Wilson counseled forbearance and re-
traint. He Gained an excited people
md for all of these months, in the
ace of vicious attacks from impetu-
us individuals like Colonel Roose-
-elt, has worked increasingly for a
peaceful solution of the great difficult
les which confront his country.
l have talked with some of those
Who are very close to the president
nd know from them something of the
mans intense desire to keep his coun-
ry out of war. But in the face OF
lots of which the country knows not
part, plots which have
ought to disrupt our friendly rela-
tons with Japan and to further en-
arass us in our Mexican difficulties; I
fter having solemn assurances In re-
ard to the submarine controversy re- )
eatedly and flagrantly disregarded,
he president decided that any regard
7hatever for our national honor de-
handed the action which has been
AIKEN. If the president really wanted
rar, his friends say, he would have
lade public the sickening details of
ne conspiracies which have been \
atched right here in our own country
gainst the peace and dignity OF our
ountry but, desiring peace, he has /
linimized the reports of those con-