The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-04-05
WilfuI Group Of Men Whom President
Blamed for Defeat Of Armed
Neutrality Reduced to
Half Dozen.
VARDAMAN is ALSO INCLUDED
Former Mississippi Governor Aligned
With LaFoIette, Gronna, Lane,
Norris and Reed.

Washington. April >. II has been
United States senate have partlcipat.
ed in so bitter a debate as that pro-
yoked yesterday and last night when
the Joint resolution, recommended by
President Wilson to meet the nation
.al emergency. was under discussion
Senators La Toilette, Norris, Reed.
Lane, Gronna and Vardaman. who
voted no, were frequently targets for
srathing shafts from the leaders Of
the affirmative.
Senator La Toilette. who spoke
three hours, and Norris, who drew the
fire Of half a dozen OF .us colleagues
by his reference TO the dollar sign on
the American flag, were the central
targets at whom Williams, Reed.
Hitchcock and others aimed bitter de.
nunciation
Interest centered yesterday after
noon and last night in the prolonga.
tiOn of debate in the United States
senate over the resolution declaring
that a state of war exists between this
country and Germany engaging atten-
tion at home and abroad. In conclud.
ing his address, Senator Vardaman,
who opposed the resolution, said:
81 do not condone the crimes of the
German government against the peo-
pie of the United States and | would
not deny that the law has been vic.
lated and that We have the right to
declare war"
"If the issue of war or peace should
be submitted to the people who must
fight the war" he said, "the voice of
the people would be heard in thunder.
Gus tones directing the president TO
find some other way than war
81 am not going to vote for the reso.
luton" said Vardaman. 81 do not
believe It is necessary to go to war,
but | am not going to delay or inter.
fere with its passage"
Once In the war, he said, he would
support the president
Mecumber's Substitute.
Senator McCumber, Republican, pro-
posed to postpone recognition Of a
state of war by resolution to de-.
clare the future sinking Of any Ameri.
can ship without warning or failure
to take care of American passengers
or other violations Of International law
an act Of war and authorize the presi.
dent to use the military forces of the
country to carry the war to a success.
ful termination.
"By my resolution" he said, 81
want the fairness and righteousness
r, Of our position to be put before the
German people before we either mi.
tiate or declare war. | want to put
the onus of that war on the other
country. | have an abiding conviction
that II We pass this resolution there
will never be another American yes.
sci sunk without notice and We shall
secure recognition OF our vital rights
without plunging into this conflict"
Norris in Opposition.
| \ vigorous speech In opposition to
the war resolution was made by Sena
tor Norris Of Nebraska, who charged
that wall street" and others Of wealth
We're interested In profits and also
that newspapers and news agencies
had been In propaganda to foster
war sentiment.
81 M most emphatlcally and sincere
! ly opposed to taking any step that will
force this country into the useless and
senselcss war; said Senator Norris
But ! shall not permit my feeling.
to interfere with bringing success and
victory 10 American arms
, Mr. Norris cited loans 10 the allies
, as huge American interest in IN,
wars outcome.
"Thc enormous profits OF munitior
, makers, stock brokers and bond deal
ers must be still further increased
. Congress, urged by the president an,
backed by artificial sentiment, Is abl,
, to engulf our country In the creates
2 hostility the world has ever known.
Continued on Page SIX