The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-01
Immediate Liberation Demand
ed by State Dept.
Opposition to Presidents Plea
for Authority Dwindles.
SPURRED BY new GERMAN PLOT
Eilibustering Kept Senate in
Session Until After 1 A. NJ.
Preparedness Measures Upper
most as Gravity Increases.

Washington, March 1.-Spurred by
the increasing meance from Germany
house leaders today planned to seek
action before night on the bill author
izfng President Wilson to arm ships,
and rush it to the senate, where an
agreement exists not to pass a SINH
lar measure before tomorrow.
Opposition dwindled rapidly as
members of congress learned of the
German plot to involve Mexico and
Japan in war with the United states
and additional reports came in of the
torpedoing of the Laconia and the de-
tention of four American consuls IN
Germany.
ro May Vote Late Today.
The house bill, which contains no
authorization for the president to use
'4other instrumentalities" in defense
of neutral fights and would prohibit
government war insurance for ships
carrying ammunition, might reach
vote by o'clock this afternoon under
a special rule which Chairman Flood
of the foreign affairs committee eX-
pected to press today.
7 It became known authOrltatVely
today that the president indorses the
senate bill which includes the other
instrumentllities" clause and carries
no insurance prohibition for ammuni-
tion vessels The administration plan
is to substitute the senate bill for the
house bill and try to force the lower
body to accept the change.
Senator LaFollette's attitude is the
principal cause of uncertainty over the
hills fate He started ffl1buSter
when an effort was made to bring up
the measure at 1 o'clock this morning
after the long night session on the
revenue bill and finally desisted when
it was agreed to put off action until
tomorrow.
Revive pc for Universal Service.
The state department last night sent
to the Berlin government request
for the immediate release for the four
American consuls held there pending
receipt word that the German consulS
in the United States have been per-
nitted to go to other posts in South
and Central America.
b. AS a result of the increasing gravity
of the German situation the admins
tration is known to be giving eXtraor-
binary attention to preparedness meas
ufes. particularly to the question of
l1fiyersaI military training, even tho
passage of a bill providing this seems
Unlikely at the present session.
While the policy of armed neu-
trality announced in the president s
last address to congress is to be con-
tinued if possible the administration
is taking into account the possibility
of further aggressions necessitating
the most thoro preparedness.
Demands Full Authority.
Washington, March President
Wilson has informed congress that
lie stands fatty behind the senate bill
granting him full powers and a vote
of credit to handle the international
situation. This was made known at
the White House today following re-
ports that the president approves the
house bill which greatly modifies his
request.
The president will sign the measure
only when it conforms with his full
desires and for that reason he is put
ting all of the administration strength
behind the bill, drawn by the senate
committee.