The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1917-03-10
ARMED SHIP BILL
WINS IN HOUSE,;
VOTE 403 TO IS
Empowers the President to Put
Guns on Vessels.
MANY PRECEDENTS ARE CITED
Republican Leader Mann AppIauded
by Members When He Declares He
Will Vote for Measure Asked
for by Wilson.

Washington, March PA bill to en-
power the president TO arm merchant
ships, but not extending the authority
he requested to use "Other insarumen-
talities," in defending American rights
against the submarine menace, was
passed by the house last night by a
vote of 403 TO -.
The debate on the measure was long
and spirited, lasting great part OF
Most of the representatives who have
been opposing the administration
voted for the bill.
1t became known authOritatively
that the president indorses the senate
bill, which includes the "Other instru-
mentalities' clause and carries no In
| surance prohibition for ammunition
vessels. The administration plan Is to
substitute the senate bill for the house
| bill, and try to force the lower body
| to accept the change.
Flood Cites Precedents.
At the outset Of the debate Chair
man Flood aroused intense enthu-
sinsm on both sides. Every reference
to Americas willingness to protect
the rights of citizens wherever they
had right TO travel was met with a
volley of applause.
He cited that authority for the
| president to act as suggested in the
bill had been granted to other execu-
| tives in 1904. 1913. 1905, 1915, 1889 and
1856. and, incidentally, attacked the
pacifists protesting against the bill.
"In 179S," he continued, conditions
were much as they are today. Eng
land and France were at war and
France was preying on commerce as
| Germany is today. Many people In
this country at that time said our
rights should not be upheld and that
| to uphold them would lead to war
with France. We gave the president
| the power, our commerce was pro-
| tected, our honor indicated and war
! was averted.
'By this act" said Representative
Flood, 1--WE may not be able to avert
war. If we should become involved
in war, however, the passage of this
bill would be one of the minor causes
| OF that direful result.
ut may be necessary only to arm
ships, but if we must do more. the
fault is not ours. Give the president
this power asked. and the question Of
war will be with Germany. There is
no doubt Of the right of Americans to
travel, and we should uphold those
rights peacefully. If that cannot be
done. then we will do 1t with arms.
IF Germany were conducting this
war with the instincts Of humanity
we might take our chances. can
not understand how this bill can fail
to pass. 1t is question of American
rights, and when such a question
arises in this house there are no party
lines" 3
Applause for Mann.
Applause even far greater than that
which greeted Representative Floods
opening statement met Republican
Leader Mann's rousing speech In ia
vor of the bill. Few men on either
side ofkthe chamber failed to respond
by handclapping or cheers.
ut is well known" Representative
Mann said, that l have done and
will do everything in my power to
keep this country out OF the Euro
pean war and the peace settlement
that is certain to follow its end.
But / do not see how 1t Is possible
for patriotic nation to refuse to give
the president, at the time Of this crisis,
power which he asks and which is
provided for in the pending bill"
"When the time comes that our ships
shall be assaulted and the limit of our
patient bearing Of insults or destruc-
ton that may be heaped upon us is
passed, 1t becomes the duty Of great
or small government to defend It's
rights upon the sea-"
kitchin Gives Approval.
Democratic Leader Kitchin, one of
the so-called pacifist group, announced
amid great applause that he would
vote for the bill.
Representative Focht. Republican, Of
Pennsylvania leaped to his feet and
demanded what Gardner thought about
protecting munitions ships. Mr.. Gard
ner replied that even Germany had adj
mitted Americas right to supply the
allies with munitions.
"That Is nothing short Of insanity"
Numbered Focht. 1.-THE American peo-
pie won't stand for It,"
Recommendations Gardner pre-
dicted by way of reply. would stand be-
hind the president In support Of the
bill.
Representative Stedman of North
Carolina, confederate veteran and
one of the Oldest representatives, made
an appeal to patriotism.
"The house ought to send mes
sage to all nations" he declared, that
It will protect its rights, the lives of
its people and the American flag in Its
pristine splendor wherever 1t may float
over land or sea-"