New Britain herald., 1917-03-06


 Wilson, it was stated authoritatively today will do everything possible to find way to arm American ships and protect them in other ways from submarine danger, in spite of the failure of the senate to pass the bill giving him specific power. A final de- cision. on whether the president can legally arm the ships without specific authorization is expected shortly. The opinion expressed during the senate debate of the bill that without action by congress the president has no right to arm American merchantmen, was taken into careful consideration how ever. and the president will not act until he Is certain.
 Tn deciding on the legal status of the question it was learned the pres. ident and his adherents are consider ing the intent of the } old statue passed in 1919 which was cited in the senate as prohibiting the arming of merchant men for action against armed public vessels of nations in amity with the United States. An extra session of congress be- fore July l to pass appropriation measures, if for no other purpose seemed today U be certain. If the senate amends it's rules so action can be taken on an armed neutrality bill an extra session of congress may be expected within the next two or three weeks.
 Messages apparently spontaneous, which came to the government of- ficials from all parts of the country criticised in bitter terms the senators who prevented action on the armed neutrality measure.
 Gregory Studying Case. . Limitations of President Wilson's authority to arm merchant ships for defense against German submarines were under consideration today by Attorney General Gregory and Secre- tary Lansing and decision was ex-i pected before the cabinet met this afternoon for the first time in ,Presi- dent Wilson's new administration. The question was referred to these officials by the president as a result of the senates failure to act on the armed neutrality bill.
 Other suggested alternatives are to convoy merchant ships, or to have the federal government take over privately owned vessels and arm them as naval auxiliaries.
 President Returns to Routine.
 President Wilson took up the work of his second four year term. while thousands of visitors who thronged the capitol yesterday to witness the public inauguration ceremonies or march in the parade. filled every out going train homeward bound.a FIX cursionists, however, still crowded tne hotels or visited public buildings.
 Discussion attendant upon the meeting of the senate today served 10 sustain international interest m Pres- ident Wilson's inaugural address III which he bespoke the hope Of she United States to promote peace anu democracy as guiding princ1ples or all nations in the future.
 The first official duty Of Vice Pres ident Marshall today. following his inauguration for second term. was to preside over the opening business session of the senate.
 A meeting of the Washington mem bers of the national committee on the change inauguration was called | today to consider the question of re- newing it's request to congress begun \ in 1915 for constitutional amend ment changing the date of the quad rennial event to the last Thursday in April The principal argument ad- vanced for the change Is that the | weather is never dangerous" late in April.
 The committee on inaugural change | includes governors of the various states.
 Old Rules Not Binding.
 When the new senate met at noon t today Senator Owen of Oklahoma, { laying the foundation for the cloture fight, served notice that no new sen- ators were bound by the rules of the f old senate in legislative procedure.
 "I wish before any action is taken" said Senator Owen, which would E recognize the senate as being bound E by rules of. a preceding congress to observe that while the senate is a | continuing body, insofar as executive | business is concerned, it is not cons tinuing as a legislative body. All