The sun., 1917-03-05
Demands Change in Pro-
cedure to 'Save Nation
From Disaster"
POWERLl'SS TO ACT
UNDER LAW OF 1919
Says FilibuSters "Hava
Rendered Great Govern
ment of US. Helpless"
spirit OF ACTION
NOT LACKING NOW"
Fears Impression Abroad
That Country Is Not Be-
hind President.

WASHINGTON, March 4.--Presiden,
wilson In a statement to the nation
makes 1t plain that lie may not have
the power, without legislation by Con-
gress, to arm merchant ships for de-
fensive purposes against German sub
marines. The failure of the armed ship
measure TO pass thus leaves the sit
uation virtually as it has been.
American ships must remain tied up
to their piers or else brave the Ger
man peril unarmed until Congress in
extra session shall legislate on the
subject.
The situation has even a graver
aspect than that. as hinted at by the
President in his statement tonight.
Should they arm themselves without
authority by lay. it is now disclosed,
they would be liable. should they fire
on German submarine and subse-
quently suffer capture by the Ger
mans. to be treated as pirates and suf-
Ter the fate meted out to Capt. Fryatt.
inc British sailor who was captured
and executed by the Germans
while the President under his
general Legislative powers" says the
statement issued tonight at the White
House, could do much OF what he
had asked the Congress to empower
him to do, it has been found that
there were certain old statutes as yet
unrepeaied which may raise insuper-
able practical obstacles and may
nuil!fy his power"
Needs Ixtrx Session.
An extra session OF Congress. tho
President says, Is required to cIothe
him with authority. but It Is useless to
call one while the Senate works under
the present rules which permit a small
minority to keep an Overwh helming ma.
!ority from acting.
The President proposes, therefore.
that the special session Of the Sena,.
which he has called to meet tomorrow
revise the rules Ito supply the means
OF action and save the country from
disaster"
II the President secures the changes
he desires it is certain he will imme-
diately call an extra session Of Con-
gress.
"A little group Of wlIful men," says
the President In his statement, repre-.
senting no opinion but their own, have
rendered the great Government Of the
United states helpless and cOntempti.
ble."
/ situation Unparalleled.
! The Presidents statement IN full
follows:
THE termination Of the last session
of the S!xty-fourth Congress by Con-
stitutional limitation dscoses a situa-
ton unparalleled IN the history OF
the country, perhaps unparalleled IN
the history OF any modern Govern
nent. In the immediate presence of
crisis frauHht with more subtle and
far reaching possibilities Of national
danger than any other the Govern
ment has known within the whole
history OF its international relations
the Congress has been unable to act
either to safeguard the country or to
vindicate the elementary rights OF It's
citizens. More than iivc hundred of
the 53l members of the two houses
were ready and anxious TO act the
! House Of Representatives had acted
by an overwhelming majority. but the
Senate was unable to act because Il
little group OF eleven Senators had
determined that 1t should not.
THE Senate has no rules by which
debate can be limited or brought to an
end, no rules by which dilatory tactics
of any kind ca,l be prevented 4 single
member can stand in the way OF
action II he have hut the physical en-
durance. The result in this case is
a complete paralysis alike of the legis-
| Nntt and .,p Ia