Evening star., 1917-03-04

...-.
vote on the bill. His requests were
blocked by Senator's Cummins, Norris
and Gronna-
When Senator Hitchcock declared TIE
purpose Of his requests was to disclose
a filibuster to kill the bill Senator Nor
ris. who was sitting with Senator
La Toilette. said:
Il am perfectly frank to say that :
would kill this bill IL could"
Senator Hitchcock insisted on for
NAL action on his requests. Later, how
ever, Senator Hitchcock withdrew his
request for formal action on the pro-
posal, and the debate proceeded.
Text of Manifesto.
The manifesto was circulated through
out the Senate shortly before midnight but
was not to be given out until all hope Of
reaching a vote had disappeared. Among
the senators who prepared 1t were .Sin-,,
mons. Hardwick. Hughes and PemsFS4s
for the democrats and Lodge. Fall. Euth..
erland ana Nelson for the republfcAsss.
The manifesto 10 as follows: ~
'The undersigned United States sena-
tors favor the passage of Senate bill
S322, to authorize the President of the
United States to arm American mer-
chant vessels. A similar bill already
passed the House of Representatives
by a vote Of 4o3 to 13. Under the rules
OF the Senate allowing unlimited de-
bate it now appears to be impossible 70
obtain a vote prior to noon March {.
1917. when the session of Congress ex-
pires.
I'VE desire the statement entered in
the record to establish the fact that
the Senate favors the legislation, and
would pass it if vote could be OBJ
tanned"
Aoo+har Dron,ga1 +,L>c ,,,d.. -
sideration by the leaders was to force
a-vote for a motion for the previous
question. Such q move would be un-
precedented in Senate procedure. but
senators who declared that in this case
the end would Justify the means.
Hears of Navy Plan.
Senator Stone told the Senate yesters
day he had heard that navy experts
had devised q plan for protection Of
American merchant ships whereby they
would be equipped with small subma-
rine chasing boats. to be lowered IN
the danger zone to scout for hostile
craft and attack them.
Senator Stone then offered his
amendment to prevent protection ana
armam ment of munitions ships.
The courses the President has purS
sued with Mexico and during the Eus
TOpean war were pointed 10 Dy Senal0t.
Stone as proof of his desire to keep
the nation out of war.
Despite the clamor. the intrigue, the
subterfuges." he said. Ito entrap him I
power. he has stood firm as a rock. III
would. therefore, rather trust him thanN L
all the official weaklings about htm2
who daily fly their kites to see which :
IF I thought this question here todAJ
were one only Of faith and trust in h1ul
I would not hesitate.
But this is the first time tho Pres1
dent and have not been able to reoon
cile our differences. I believe thS bif1
to be not only in violation OF the Conl
stitution. but destructive Of one Of the
most important powers vested In Con41
gress-the war-making power-and thA3|
its passage would set q precedeAfx
fraught with peril to our form OF gov,
ernment. The power to be granted 10
too broad, too sweeping. There 10 ne
limit whatsoever placed on other instru0g
mentalities and methods
Recites Possible Courses. VI
Reciting the possible exercises OF
power under the bill. Senator Stona
said it would authorize tho President ts
equip ships and drive the German subA1
marines from commercial paths Of thail
seas"
NO doubt" he continued. '-that would
be a proper thing to do. but It would !
be war. 1t would not be an act Of wark3
but the very essence Of war in fact,
And Congress would have abdicAte9
and surrendered in advance all claim :
to pass upon the questions.
The question here presented" he
said, rises above any man or any
is fundamental"
Senator Hardwick. democrat. asked
Stone II the President did nos
have authority to defend and protect
American citizens against assault with.
put authority of CongresA
Yes" said Senator Stone. TT q war;
vessel Of the United States should see .
! merchant ship Of this country as
saulted on the high seas and an effort
be made to destroy her. even though
that war vessel were not acting as q .
convoy. such q warship would not only
have tho right. but II would be her
iuty to protect that ship.
But IL a foreign power assaults mere
shant vessels OF the United States when
,ur war vessels are not present and we
near of 1t, as we are hearing of these
things now, I do not think the Presi.
lent could direct the navy Of the United
States to begin war on that foreign
power. For that he would have to
,ome to Congress.
Let Congress Have Say.
IL ~ vast 20 enter into ~sr-if the.
,eeasiea - grave - seDs es ths ssaAaAj