The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-02-27
WILSON 'S MOVE
NOT IN CONCERT.
OTHER NEUTRALS NOT
ASKED TO FOLLOW
No Steps Toward Aiming Of
Ships Until Congress-
Shall Have Acted

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26-The armed
neutrality, which the president pro-
poses, does not look TO war; whether II
Shall become war depends upon those
Who infringe upon the rights it seeks
10 nrotect There is ample hiSt"rlcal
precedent for 1t; northern Europe under
the leadership Of Russia, formed Il Icd-
quo and used it 10 protect It's commerce
in the wars between England ana fTahCc
and France and Spain.
Although the president, when he sew
cred diplomatic relations with GcrllthE
invited other neutrals to follow his Icaa
he has not so far as Is known. suggested
that nculrals Join the United States IN
Tho armed neutrality he proposes. All
foreign governments however. have been
officially advised of his address 10 Con-
gross today and official copies have been
delivered to their diplomats mere hE
wireless, the text was
Sent to Berlin.
No stcps toward the arminE OF NOR
chant ships arc to he taken untH con-
gress acts. The conveying of merchant
men is not approved 10y naval HuthoFI-
ties. as an effective Or desirable stratc-
gic policy.
Introduction of the bill in the house
embOdying tho presidents suggestions
followed numerous conferences on the
subject between senate and house lead
crS.
Republican members Of the Foreign
Rclutinns Committee lot il h. known
that when tho committee meets tumrr-
row they will seek "a modify the meas
urc in several particulars. Thcy want
in ,liluinat" from the first CLAUSE TN"
qualification TO the authorization 10 tho
I,rrsiul-ni for arminc merchant ships,
reading. should il in his Judgment h"-
come necessary for him 10 do So and to
direct as well as empower the arming.
The second CLAUSE which would empower
the pres idcnL ito employ such other in
strImcntaliticS aS may III his Judgment
and discretion seem necessary they VIII
seek to modify and
Make Moro Specific.
Some Of the EepuhltcanS object 4"
tho provision leaving ar!uing al ships
Ia the presidents Judgment h""ar!S" they
declare this form Uf expression implies
that the emergency for arminS al ships
does NOT exist. when .h"y b"licT" That
il does now exist and has existed for
SunIr time.
Many uf tho minority say thrr" can IL"
no criticism of the president for asking
broad powers in the emergency h""a,l$"
history OF the country Mckinley was
given power to employ broad powers
and methods before III" Spanish war. HI.
Republicans admit. but they say nat
which confronted thr c"'mtr? in 1885,
Republican View.
II We only knew 10 Jus' what "X-
tent the president ln,"udS I" "mi!!"%
such .othCr instrumcnialIlI"S. sand ON"
of the Republican mcmhyrs IT the r".-
cgn relations committee. thor" r"utd
hc no objection to This hill. If | know
lust what tn" president "an'rd [" d" |
would willingly vote tn Civ him all the
power and rrnhahly NOR" l"W"r thru
h. himself wants. Rut after All. | have
not mad" M my nind wha, /" do. b.,
cause ;II discussion lHid n%!h". t""l
and ,lnny Of :uy colleagues feel that
congress should l, IN session after
March If "" ar" I" pass TN" rCEcnu"
and defense hills. II seems :" III" ilnL
il NAV hc wiSr Ia defer action on this
authorization uutil The next congress-.