Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-03-08
Washington, March

Washington. March L.
Aroused by the disclosure of
Germany's plot to unite Japan
and Mexico with her in a war
upon the United States, and then
convinced by official evidence of
it's authenticity, Congress to-day
abandoned the delays and OBJ
structions which have checked
President Wilson's efforts to be
clothed with, express authority
to deal with the submarine men,
ace.
The House after a ten-hOul'
debate and by an overwhelming
majority passed a bin to enpow-
er the President to arm mer-
chant ships and providing for a
hundred million dollar bond is
sue. The bill, however, does not
contain the grant of authority to
use "other instrumentalities, "
which the President specifically
desires and would prevent gov
eminent war insurance for mu-
nitions ships, a prohibition which
the President does not approve.
Official announcement was
made at the White House to-day
that the administration stands
behind the Senate bill FIRST, last
and all the time," with it's pro-
vision for "other instrumental
ties" In the Senate, an attempt
to ask the President to disclose
the governments source of in
formation of the attempted in
trigue with Mexico and Japan
ON the supposition that it came
from one of Germany's enemies,
was defeated after a sharp and
sensational debate. Instead, the
Senate merely asked for official
notice of the authenticity of the
dispatch of instructions from
German Foreign Minister Zim-
hermann to German Minister
Won Eckhardt in Mexico. The
President transmitted it imme-
diately with the statement that
it would not be compatible with
the public interests to reveal fur
Their details concerning it.
Members of both houses of
Congress, some skeptical of the
authenticity Of the astounding
revelations of Germany's in.
rigue, others feeling that it had
been permitted to become public
for its effect in Congress and
throughout the country, met the
situation with mixed emotions
which, with a few possible ex.
ceptions as the days develop.
ments were unfolded, solidified
into a decision to stand behind
the President.
Congressman classed with the so-callet
pacifist group in the House who hav.
been opposing a grant of authority to thu
u'reeident on the ground that It would BIZ
a step toward war, announced that the,
would vote for the armed neutrality bill il
the belief that to arm the President Il
protect American rights might be tn,
way to avoid war
Republican senators who Lave been fill
clustering against the armed neutralit,
Eoiii. not because opposed to it. but to fore,
an extra session of Congress, deciare<
their conviction that the situation de
tInandcd united support OF the President.
a. Congress badly divided, and in it,
fying moments. with its Legislative nro
gram OF sixe. and scvens and charges O
playing politics" nying from every side
suddenly took on a new aspect.
1t was rs II tho cry America first
had rung through the halls of both houses
and the response had boom almost IN
ztantaneous.
In tho Senate, members who have on
posed the President in his manner of deal
ing with Germany on the ground that /
was leading to war. were found flghtin,
influences which the Presidents SUP
povters declared were calculated to en-
barrass him
There were bitter references in tlebat
to senators to whom the President woul,
he expected to look for advice on forciC,
affairs. Chairman Stone of the foreigl
relauns committee. was voted down II
his own committee on his own draft 0
a resolution asking the President to dis
close " the American governments In
German intrigue can'c from one OF Ger
rnany's enemies.
With the authenticity Of the Zimme,
mann instructions officially established t
the Senate and the armed neutrality hi
passed the House tomorrow Ia expecte
to advance the situation to the next stag
tho perfection OF an armed neutral
ity bill acceptable TO the President in a
respects.
The question Of an extra session OF COr
gress still is undetermined. Preside
Wilson told inquirers to-day that he di
not expect to call one. although it deve
oped that democratic whips in the Hous
were advising members and members
elect to be prepared to attend on March
NEITHER MINDS THEN.
sne-You don't mind my talking $
much, do YOU
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mind aftor We are married.
She-But | shant mind then,--Ex