Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-02
NEWS BOMB
AT CAPITAL
CONGRESS AROUSED
Republicans Cease Their
Filibuster and Swing
in Behind Wilson
PATRIOTISM SMELLS
ilIIIlllIIIlInIIIIrIIIInI

Washington, d. c., March 1.-Shock-
ed and amazed by the revelation Of
Germany's attempts to unite Japan
and Mexico to war upon the United
States. congress today forgot its diff
ferences and began swinging into line
behind the president.
Senate republicans abandoned their
filibuster and gave democratic lead
ers assurances of their support to the
president
In the house, without roll call, and
under special provision for its immedi-
ate consideration, Representative
Floods bill to clothe the president with
authority to arm ships was taken up
under an agreement for q vote after
three hours of debate.
PresidelsEs T;lson, ,kSsxGyer, ysiff IN.
sist on being empowered to use other
instrumentalities" as proposed in the
bill pending in the senate.
At the outset of debate Chairman
Flood aroused intense enthusiasm on
both sides. Every reference to Amer
ica's willingness to protect the rights
of citizens was met with a volley OF
applause.
He cited that authority for the pres1.
dent to act as suggested In the Dill had
been granted to other executives IN
1894, 1898, 1905, 1915. 1880 and 1856,
and, incidentally, attacked the paci-
fists protesting against the bill.
"In 179S." he continued. conditions
were much as they are today. Eng.
land and France were at war and
France was preying on commerce as
Germany is today. Many people in
this country at that time said our
rights should not be upheld and that
TO uphold them would lead to war with
France. We gave the president the
power, our commerce was protected.
our honor indicated and war was
averted."
Mann Is Appiauded.
Applause even far greater than that
which greeted Representative Floods
opening statement met Republican
l Leader Mann's rousing speech in favor
of the bill.
ut is we'll known" Representative
Mann said, "that have done and VIII
do everything in my power to keep
this country out of the European war
and the peace settlement that is GER
tain to follow its end.
"But do not see how it is possible
for a patriotic nation to refuse to give
the president at the time of this crisis.
mower which he asks and which Is pro
vided for in the pending bill"
The applause at this point was 80
loud and long that Mr.. Mann was un.
able to proceed for more than
minute.
81 long ago would have given the
president power to protect against at
tack American citizens engaged in
peaceful pursuits In Mexico" he con-
tinued land think that we should now
give him the power to save our rights,
our patriotism, our people and our ma
ton
kitchin Comes Across.
Democratic Leader Kitchin, one OF
the so-caIled pacifist group announced
amid great applause that he would vote
for the bill.
~ shall vote for this bill but not
without hesitation and misgiving," said
Clothed with the powers given by
the constitution. a president Of the
United States can. at his will. without
let or hindrance Of congress create
a situation which makes war the only
alternative of this nation"
Representative Foss. republican OF
Illinois urged unanimous support OF
the president He said the American
people do not want war, but that loss
Of national respect would be worse
than war.
Senate Wants News.
On the floor of the senate 1t was an
that democratic senators had
been authorized to state that the revel-
ations. including the text of the in
structions from German Foreign Minis
ter Zimmerman to German Minister
Won Eckhardt at Mexico City were cor
rect.
~