Evening star., 1917-02-03
Republican Critics of Presi-
dent, Strongly Moved, Ex-
press Approval of Break.
"I'M WITH HIM." LODGE
SAYS, POUNDING DESK
Others Urge Immediate Action to
Prevent Dismantling Teuton
Ships in q. S. Ports.

with Germany fell on the Capitol
with stupendous though suspect
ed force. Administration leaders
in the Senate who had talked with
the President last night were not
surprised.
All, however, were deeply
moved by this grave climax in
the long impending crisis. AS
members gathered in both houses
to hear the pregnant news their
faces grew grave and their patri-
otic fervor was aroused.
One of the first senators to
reach the Capitol was Senator
Lodge of Massachusetts,, republi-
can, ranking republican member
of the foreign relations commit
tee.
I'm With Him." Lodge Says.
"Can that be true?" he fairly
shouted when informed that the
break had come.
Il didn't believe he (the Presi-
dent) would do it. l thought
there would be another note"
I'm with him." the senator en-
phatically declared, pounding his
desk after a moments reflection.
"Now we'd better to see to it
that our marines prevent the dis
mantling of any more German
ships in our llarbors."
Joint Session Arranged.
Vice President Marshall, notified to ar
range for joint session of Congress at
o'clock, said. as he left his room to
confer with the sergeant-at-arms:
.It Is sincerely to be hoped that this
necessary break will not drag the United
States into the war. There arc limits,
however, to endurance beyoud which no
ernment cannot permit the defiance of all
laws of civilization by any nation to pass
pnchallenged-"
Senator Tillman. chairman Of the SEN
ate naval committee. said:
"rm mighty glad of it. I was in favor.
when heard Of the note first, of telling
Mr.. Bernstorn to pack up his duds and
70 home to hts barbarians.
I'VE will do the best we can. and have
no doubt that we will live up to our past
record in taking care of our rights and
ourselves. We don't take any passes from
anybody to go anywhere we damn please
on the seas.
Congress ought to unanimously
agree to back up the President to the
limit. just like we did Mckinley"
When asked If he thought any naval
appropriations would be Immediately
necessary Senator Tillman said: 'T
think not just now. We have appro-
for more than we can get built"
1T was the only thing that could be
DONE" said Senator Chamberlain,
chairman of the military affairs COM
mittee.
'I thought last night that this would
happen" said Senator Fletcher.
House Galleries Are Closed.
Democratic Leader Kitchin told Re-
publican Leader Mann when the House
convened today that no action by Con-
gress was contemplated today in con-
nection with the Presidents address to
iN,r po1
locked until later in the day in order
invade the Capitol.
The House. at the outset Of todays
session. rushed through a concurrent
resolution providing for the joint ses-
sion. 1t read:
Resolved. That the two houses OF
Congress assemble in the hall of the
House of Representatives on Saturday,
the Sd day of February at 2 o'clock in
the afternoon for the purpose of re-
eeiving such communications as the
President of the United States shall be
pleased to make to them
1t was Immediately rushed to the Sem
ste.
No Action by House Today.
When the resolution was presented
Representative Mann asked what was
contemplated today In connection with
the Presidents address
Il would like to ask the gentleman
from North Carolina" he said. "wheth-
er. SO far as he knows. there is any ex-
pectation Of any action of the House
today?"
No" replied Mr.. Kitchin, mot SO far
as I know He added that the Presi-
dent merely had indicated he wished
to address the Joint session. Members
of the House were privately advised
that the Presidents purpose in ap-
pearing was to explain his reasons for
breaking off diplomatic relations with
Germany.
President Wilson and Speaker Clark
received a telegram today from R. ].
Caldwell. a New York business man,
which read: Let US have one more
note. and this one to Won Bernstorff
with his passports"
Other messages began coming in
from private individuals expressing
views on the situation.
Members Besiege Kitchin.
Majority Leader Kitchin was be-
sieged by members inquiring to the
meaning of the joint session. He told