The Washington herald., 1917-03-03
SENATE REFUSES
To GRANT RIGHT
To arm VESSELS
Bill Gives Wilson Too Much
Authority, Opponents
Declare.
FILIBUSTER THREATENS
Stone Deserts President in Debate
While Hitchcock. Paci6st. and
Lodge Defend Him.


ers to force the Senate to act on the
bill granting President Wilson full
and complete authority to deal with
the international situation failed last
night. The Senate forced a recess
just before o'clock this maEning,
until 10 o'clock, with the armed neu-
trality bill still pending.
There was apparent among Repub-
lican Senators an understanding that
final vote on the measure was to
be delayed until late in the days
session, with the probable result of
preventing the enactment of other
imperative legislation. By a par
liamentary maneuver the administrs-
ton leaders succeeded in substituting
the armed ships bill, which has al
ready passed the House, for the reso-,
luton reported by the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee.
To Facilitate Passage,
This Will facilitate the final enactment
OF the bill after IL passes the Senate Il
will be amended to conform with the
Senate mea sure
The recess came after a bitter verbal
battle over the scope of the Senate bIn.
with administration leaders Erimly re-
minding opponents TO the measure thaf
the Senate would not adjourn until n
was passed
The Senate bill. far broader in scops
than the House measure passed by the
House two days ago, not only authorizes
the President 70 sDsPf sloo,co.ooo arming
merchs 1sa zes sd aft" but alec
lie S>icalI, : authority 20 de-
clare war 1~-Eas of the consent Of
Congress
Discussion Of the bill was marked, dur
ing the night. by two notable political
changes. Senator Stone. OF Missouri, long
regarded as one of Wilson'S most ear
nest henchmen, deserted the President
and fought the bill, declaring IL gave
the White House too much authority.
At the same time. Senators Hitchcock.
OF Nebraska, and Lodge, Of Massachu-
sets. the former an ardent pacinst, and
the latter strenuous opponent Of the
President. both deserted their previous
stands. and urged the passage Of the
Senate bill Senator Hitchcock, answer
ing the charge that the measure gave
the Executive too much authority. de-
clared he would rather trust the Presi-
dent in a crisis like this, than the Sen
ate itself"
Today there may be a hIibuster.
Senator La Toilette is behind the move
ment for a temporary filibuster.
In this movement he is not supported
by former Secretary OF State William
Jennings Bryan, but this leader may
bring one or two deserving Democrats
to the front II a roll-call IL demanded on
the question.
In both the House and the Senate the
sentiment is overwhelming in favor Of
the President, and whatever legislation
he advocates or whatever support he
urges through Congressional resolutions
will be passed by a majority that leaves
no doubt as to the intent OF Congress.
Efforts by Senator Hitchcock to provide
for a Limitation Of 10 minutes on speeches
on the armed neutrality bill after /
O'Clock this afternoon. failed, and 1t was
apparent that the Senate had settled
down for a long dresry nght
Had senate support.
1t was apparent that the bill had the
support OF an overwhelming majority OF
the Senate. The administration demand
for consideration Of the bill was carried
by vote OF 7s to Is, and It was ex-
pected that tho vote against the meas
ure itself would be less than opposition
TO its consideration.
Senator Stone. Of Missouri, chairman OF
the Foreign Relations COMMITTEES which
framed the measure. and UP TO last night
the spokesman OF the administration on
matters effecting foreign affairs, in the
Senate.
Il do not believe" he declared. as
the Senate stirred uReasily, that p
would be proper for me to continue IN
the management OF the bill on the Senate
floor in this situaffon
Immediately the Missouri Senator fur
tner stirred the Senate by proposing
an amendment radically limiting the scope
OF the armed neutrality hill. and natly
intmical 20 the request of President
Wilson.
Under the leadership Of Senator Hitch
cock. of Nebraska, and Senator Lodge, OF
Massachusetts-up TO the present q Wig
orous opponent OF the Presidents foreign
pohcy-Democrats and Republicans unit
ed to oppose the Stone amendment. Party
lines were forgotten IN a burst OF pa
tr1ouc oratory which seemed to Indicate
that what little opposition there was to
the bill would be lost sight of.
Administration leaders declared that the
armed neutrality measure would 70
through the Senate a. framed by the COM
mittee. and that the lower BODY would NJ
| timateiy agree to the broader biIl rhs
CONTINUED on PAGE rwo.