Evening star., 1917-02-26
States is q party, or by the statutes
of the United States"

Attorney General Consulted.
cred last week by the judiciary COM
mittee, Secretary Lansing and Assist
ant Attorney General Warren were
consulted regarding it. Senators ad-
mitted confusion as to just what power
| THE proposed measure would extend.
particularly that part which would en-
ploy armed forces to enforce all obli-
cations imposed upon ths United States
by the law of nations by treaties or
conventions and by the statutes Of the
United States.
| News of the Presidents coming was
| received by senators and representa-
| tives with mingled feelings Of anxiety
er Kern reached the Senate wing he
| went at once to the Office Of Vice Presi-
! dent Marshall.
THE President is going to address
Congress at l o'clock" said Senator
Kern.
What does it meanr' the Vice Presi-
dent asked. Are we going to put on
our armor?'
'T don't know" Senator Kern re-
piled, leaving at once for his ofiice to
prepare the resolution providing for
the joint session OF the two houses.
Senator Stone Silent.
Senator Stone. who consulted the
President early in the day, retired to
his committee room as soon as he
reached the Capitol and got in touch
| committee by telephone The senator
would not discuss the situation for
publication.
Il shall have nothing to say about
what the President said to me-" he
declared. "and you need not cross-ex-
anime me. The President will speak
for himself
The bill introduced Saturday by SEN
ator Fall of New Mexico at the close Of
vigorous debate on the German block
ade and its effect on the United States.
and which was referred to the foreign
| relations COMMITTEES. was recalled to
mind by senators when they learned
| Of the Presidents purpose to declare q
| condition of armed neutrality. This bill
! would authorize the President to "in-
| ,truct and direct the commanders of the
; armed vessels belonging to the United
. States to extend protection to the ves-
sells and property Of the citizens of the
United States and to seize, take and
| able to seize, any such armed vessels
Of either Of the central powers, and
| particularly of the imperial German
government. which shall have COM
NnltIeu WHICH SIldll Dc IOunO threat
ening to commit depredations on the
| vessels belonging to the citizens of
the United States; or contrary to in
ternational law committing or threat
ening to commit depredations upon
other vessels upon which are being con-
veyed citizens of the United States or
their property; and also to retake any
| ship or vessel of any citizen or citizens
| Of the United States which may have
been captured by any such armed ves-
sci of the said central powers, or either
Of them"
Provides for Army.
1t also would provide for defense OF
| vessels against search and seizure. and
| in the event of a declaratio of war
against the United States or of i'm
minent danger Of war before the ses-
sion of the next Congress-. would au-
! thorize the President to raise an addi-
F; tional army of 100000 men.
| The Senate as soon as 1t met began
consideration of the naval appropria-
! tion bill, no objection having been
made. and the Senate military affairs
committee met to hasten deliberation
| on the army bill. Democratic leaders
said they did not believe the repub-
licans would filibuster on these meas
ures and that any obstructive tactics
| that may be in contemplation would
come on the sundry civil bill. Repub-
! lican leaders were on-communicative
regarding what their course will be
nesday night.