The Washington times., 1917-04-05

American life during the war" said
Flood. The Evelyn was sunk by a
German mine. in a German field, near
the German coast"
When Cooper began for the paci-
fists he indicated there may be more
than a dozen speeches against the war
measure He said sixteen men had
asked him for time. Most of them, il
was thought, opposed the resolution.
Mr.. Cooper explained that he had
lost his glasses, and could not see
| his speech. Other members inter
rupted him to provide spectacles.
This, however, did not deter him from
delivering his pacifist address. T.
He presented a communication from
Secretary of State Lansing, saying
that no Americans had perished in
the sinking of the Sussex.
But the President said that sew
eral Americans went to the bottom
of the English Channel when the
Sussex sank" continued Cooper. "ls
it not time that we have accuracy of
statement from the President of the
United States?"
Mr.. Cooper defended his position on
the McLemore resolution, He point
ed out that England had prevented
her citizens from travelling the seas
while the United States, had let her
women and children ride on any
ships.
II have been called pacifist, -
said Mr.. Cooper. H"and with that it Is
said am opposed 70 protecting.
American lives. / voted for all the
preparedness measures. This cam
paign of Islander has no regard for
truth whatever. And they talk about
the rights of American citizens"
Favors Only Defense Law.
Mr.. Cooper expressed himself as op-
posed to any war except in defense. and
then in defense Of something worth de-
Tending. And he doubted that the Ques-
tlon Of American rights to travel on
ships was right over which the nation
should 60 to war. He contended he was
not a ''pacihst" in the ordinary inter-
pretation-that every American would
fight rather than see the foot of an in
veder on iour soil" He held. though,
that this country should not join a war
1000 miles away.
Germany made no absolute subma-
rine promises" Mr.. Cooper said of the
Teutoh note that. averted war months
ago.
-'She made only a conditional promise
and the State Department knew it,
Mr.. Flood asked an opportunity to
reply to Mr.. Cooper's statement
Cooper, who had interrupted Flood
frequently to challenge his state
ments. refused to yield for any ques-
tions.
Much of the effect of Cooper's
speech was lost because of the loss
of his glasses. Members took turns
handing him "cheaters" of all de-
scriptions.
'T am spending most of my time
trying on glasses" he said.
ut is a question OF this country be-.
ing neutral or going into this war to
destroy the German monarchy" he
said. Moreover, he contended, the
Administration had not been as in
sistent upon its rights in dealing with
England as IL had been against Ger
many.
Several members tried to break in
with queries. knocking down Cooper's
arguments. but the pacifist refused to
yield to them.
when war comes we must all
stand united" Cooper said in conclu-
sion, but / shall not vote to plunge
this nation into war"
Congressman Harrison then spoke,
declaring Cooper's speech would have
been fitting for the Reichstag
Would Keep Army Home.
Congressman Britten of Illinois
offered an amendment to the. reso-
luton preventing the use OF Ameri-
can military forces in Europe with
out orders from Congress. The
amendment follows: