The Washington times., 1917-04-06
EFFECT OF KICHIN'S
COURSE A PROBLEM
Capitol Speculates as tc
Whether He Will Lose Place
as Leader.

upon his influence as the party leader
in the House is one of the questions
presented at the Capitol today as the
nation prepares for war.
The war resolution was adopted al
S:l5 o'clok this morning by vote oil
ST3 to so. Mr.. Kitchin was among
the fifty opposing the resolution. HIS
speech was one of the most earnest
delivered daring the more than four
teen hours of debate. The spectacle
of the Administration leader oppos-
ing the resolution was one that fur
nished the House one of its real SEN
sations in an epochal day.
Yet when Congressman Hefiin sug-
rested that Congressman hitchin
ought to resign as party leader there
was practically no applause. Kisses
came instead-a few from the Demo
cratic side, more from the Repub-
licans.
Later CONGRESSMAN Burnett of Ala
bama assailed Mr.. Hefiin for suggest
ing such a thing.
The Outstanding Event.
The detection of Democratic leader
Kitchen was easily the outstanding
event in the House debate. His oppo-
sition was unexpected by all but
few of his intimate friends. When
other leaders heard of Mr.. Kitchens
intention to speak against the resolu
tion they urged him at least to re-
main silent and merely vote against
the resolution.
Congressman Pat Harrison. one of
the Democrats OF the Foreign Affairs
Committee, appealed to Mr.. Kitchen
to remain silent.
The effect of Mr.. Kitchin's attitude
upon the wavering pacifists was
feared in Administration circles.
After his speech Administration sup
Porters increased their efforts to mus
ter an overwhelming vote. Postmas-
ter General Burleson. the usual Ad-
ministration emissary to The
Hague, was soon seen about the cor
ridors.
Mr.. Kitchin spoke with unusual de-
liberation, reading his speech from
manuscript-somethin he very sell
dom does. He enunciation was deiib-
crate and he spoke with almo 1t q tTe-
NOR in hs voce. He was plenty over
wrought, and when he left the cham
Der after speaking he was on the
verge of tears.
Cost Party Some Votes.
At Mr.. Kitchin's first announce.
ment that he would vote against the
resolution, there was applause from
perhaps a score OF pacifists. When
he had concluded both sides of the
House applauded him, but the ap
piause was for Kitchin. the man, and
his conscientious exposition of the
reasons for opposing the war resolu
tion, rather than for the sentiments
Kitchin expressed. Nevertheless, Ad
fnF
Kitchin speech had cost the resolution
a number OF votes.
Mr.. Kitchin reached the height OF
earnestness when, after a momentary
pause in the middle of his speech. h,
said:
MY friends. cannot leave my chill
dren lands and riches. I cannot leave
them fame. But / can leave them tn,
name OF an ancestor who. matterinl
not the consequences to himself. nevel
hesitated to do his duty as God CAV,
him to see It.
Half the civilized world is now
slaughter house for human beings
This nation is the last hope of peac'
on earth, good will toward men. ! an
unwilling for my country by statu
tory command to pull up the las
anchor of peace in the world and ex
tinguish during the long night of
worldwide war the only remaining
star of hope for Christendom.
@The ORIy Remaining Compass
II am unwilling by vote today 70
this nation TO throw away the onl!
remaining compass to which tn
world can look for guidance in tn
paths of right and truth and justic
and humanity, and leave only fore
and blood to chart hereafter the patl
OF mankind.
by the passage of this resolution
we enter the war and the univers,
will become one vast drama OF hor
.rors and blood, one boundless stag
upon which will play all the evi
spirits of earth and hell. All the de
mands of inhumanity will be let Ioos
for a rampage throughout the world
Whatever be the future, whsteve
be the rewards or penalties of thi
nations step. / shall always believ
that we could and ought to have KEEP
out OF this war"
Mr.. Kitchin said he had reached
decision to vote against the war resC
luton after prayer for guidance an
with full realization of the possibl
consequences to himself
Profoundly impressed with tn
gravity of the situation" said Nj
Kitchin, "apprecisting to the fulles
the penalties which war will impose
my conscience and judgment, afte
mature thought and fervent praye
for rightful guidance, has pointed ou
clearly the path OF my duty. and
have made up my mind to walk in Il
IL go barefooted and alone. / hav
come TO the undoubting conclusio
that 1 should vote against this res,
luton.
Had No Single Doubt.
"If I had a single doubt / wouI
dissolve it in favor OF the view O
the Administration and of a large ma
jority of my colleagues. who have s
recently honored me with their col
fidence. ! know that ] shall neve
criticise any member for advocatin
this resolution. / concede, ] know
that he casts his vote in acocrdanc
with sincere conviction. ! know, to,
that for my vote ! shall not only b
criticised but denounced from one en-
of the country to the other. Th
whole yelping pack OF the defamer
and revilers in the nation will, q
once. be sicked upon my heels.
I'm my Judgment we should kee
out OF the war with Germany as w
kept out OF the war with Great Bri
ain by keeping our ships and our cit
zens Out Of the war zone of German