Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-04

under the CIRCUMSTANCES
Representative Wood. republican,
Indiana-The Presidents message was
very dignif1ed and l am of the OPINION
there will be no necessity for any more
drastic steps. l do not believe the Ger
man government will Intentionally de-
stroy American vessels unless they are
laden with contraband of war.
Applauds Rupture With Germany.
Representative Cullop, democrat, of
indiana most heartily approve and
! the country will applaud the stand
taken by the President. Let there be
no mistake, it does not necessarily
mean war; that Is, it doesn't mean war
unless Germany says war.
Representative Foss, republican, of
1llinois-The course taken by the
President has my heartiest approval,
and undoubtedly the country will take
the same view of it.. 1t seems to have
been the only course open to him and
there is nothing else that any Presi-
dent could have done under the cir
cumstances.
Senator Ollie James. democrat. Of
Kentucky-Every American in the re-
public and every neutral in the world
stands firmly behind the Presidents
declaration.
Representative Harrison, democrat, of
Mississippi. of the foreign affairs com
mlttee-1t was wonderfully clear
and patriotic message. The President
| expresses the wish Of every patriotic
American. l am sorry to say that l
! believe that it means war. I believe
that Germany has fixed the policy from
which she will not deviate, and this will,
of course, mean conflict with us.
Representative Gardner, republican
of Massa chusetts-I would not change
| syllable of the Presidents message.
He has put himself and his country
right in history.
Representative Treadway of Massachu-
sets, republican. said: The close atten-
ton given to President Wilson's address
was evidence of the realization by Con-
gress of the gravity and seriousness of
the situation. The address was received
Dy Congress in a non-partiSan and patrl-
otto spirit. It seems to me the consensus
of opinion in Congress and the country
will be that the attitude of the President
Is cool. considerable and conservative. lie
hopes that it will result in the imperial
German government realizing that
cannot accept their position.
The President has taken the right
course, namely, notifying the imperial
German government that actually carry
ing out its note and attacking, by its sub
marine warfare, American shipping
causing loss of American lives will be
followed by actual declaration OF war.
In other words, Germany has another
chance not to have this government de-
cept."
Representative Emerson, ohio-The
severance of diplomatic relations does not
necessarily mean war Today's action
does mean. however, that If Germany at
tacks any of our ships they should be
conveyed by armed vessels of the United
States. hope there shall be no war and
will go to the limit to prevent it,
"Beat Plowshares Into Swords"
Representative Ashbrook, democrat,
| Ohio-While I still believe as firmly in
peace as any living man. yet if we can
only have peace at the expense of our
honor and just rights. then 1 say beat the
plow shares and the implements of peace
| into swords and the implements of war
and maintain our rights at whatever
cost.
Representative Hollingsworth, Ohio
strongly approve the Presidents mes
sage, and will support the President in so
far as it does not involve a question of
personal conscience. If the President
| takes us into the war his shall be the re-
sponsibility
/ Representative Cooper. Ohio-It was a
calm, deliberate and forceful MESA ee
1t was friendly toward Germany. 1t is
certainly desired by the United States
to retain the friendship of Germany, but
Germany should understand that we shall
insist that American lives and liberties
shall be safeguartled on the high seas by
the American government
Representative Rogers, republican.
! Massachusetts. member Of the foreign
affairs committee believe in every
word of the address and every act the
President has taken as do in the Cos
pei L cordially indorse every word of
| the Presidents message.
Spirit Of True Americanism.
North Dakota heartily concur in the
position taken by the President. 1t
| rings with the spirit of true American
/ ism more than any other address he
has delivered to Congress.
Representative Young, republican,
North Dakota-War! Who said there
would be war? 1 did not so understand
the President. Let US trust him to
| steer us clear Of it.
Representative Carter Glass, demo-
| crat. Virginia-What the President
| said was precisely to the point He
could not have said or done less and
! there Is no immediate necessity for him
! to say or do more There is vast deal
f, of difference between what Germany
| may threaten to do and what she may
| actually do. Should Germany carry her
| threatened atrocities into effect Con-
| gress would promptly support the Pres
| ident in his avowed purpose to repel
such aggression.
Representative Dillon. republican
| South Dakota-The situation is critical
| We can do more for our people by keep
| ing out OF war than by getting into it.
| We must wait for overt acts and In the
| meantime we must not embarrass the
President.
Germany Has Gone Back on Word"
Representative Konop. democrat.
MISUNDERSTANDING once assured this
country 1t would not sink ships with
out warning. and now proposes to go
| back on its word. The President has
| no other course but to sever diplo-
matte relations. Every American will
| stand by America as against any ma
| ton proposing to break its solemn
| promises to us.
Representative Farr of Pennsylvania
| republican-The country Is behind the
President no matter what course it
| may be necessary for him to take. If
we must go to war the country is with
| him and Congress will be unanimously
| behind him. L only regret we have
not strong army and navy to stand
behind him now and uphold the dig
| nifty Of our Institutions
| Representative Moore. Pennsylvania,
| repubican-The President took the
position 1t was expected he would take
| in consequence Of his former declara-
| ton arising from the submarine con-
! troversy in the Sussex case. 1t was
logical for him, in view of his declara-
| ton then, to sever relations with Ger
many now. I do not take this to mean
war. The President says that If GER
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