South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-03-03
NEUTRALITY BILL
IS NEAR PASSAGE
Party Lines Are Forgotten AS
Senators Discuss Pres
emf Situation.

night with a debate running the
whole scale of the nations foreign
relations.
The measure which the White
house has announced il desired as
a substitute for the less sweeping
! bill passed by the house Thursday
night, developed little evidence Of
determined opposition. II gave SEN
ators a long-awaited opportunity.
however, to declare their convic-
tons in the international crisis:
and the debate proceeded with de
liberation despite the knowledge
that il now is senate action on which
the president is waiting.
There were no party lines, and
most of the pacifist element Of the
senate declared a Willingness to fall
in behind the president in his move
for an armed policy.
Stone Declines SpOkesmanship.
Sen. Stone, head of the foreign
relations committee, however, by
virtue of his position the logical ad-
ministration spokesman on such
questions withdrew from the task
as soon as the armed neutrality bill
was brought in by his committee.
He said candor would not permit
him to take the floor for the meas
ure. and submitted an amendment
TO except munitions carrying ships
from the protection to be extended
other merchantmen.
To Sen. Hitchcock and Sen. Lodge
the ranking democratic and republi-
| can committeeman, fell the leader
ship. Sen. LaFollette about whose
attitude there had been some uneasi-
ness, announced that he would talk
at length on the bill but had no
intention of filibustering.
! AS the debate proceeded into the
night there were many predictions
that it would be well toward morn
\ ing before a vote could be reached.
The dramatic features of the situa-
/ ton were heightened by crowded
/ galleries and the attendance of sew
eral cabinet members and many rep
| resentatives on the floor as specta-
| tors Among those in the diplomatic
! gallery early in the night was Sir
Cecil Spring Rice, the British am
/! bassador.
Extends Power to President.
The senate bill in addition 10 au-
thorizing the arming of merchant
ships would extend the authority
asked by the president for the use
of other instrumentalities" in pro-
tecting American rights. That fea-
ture was omitted from the house
bill which also contained a prohi-
bition Objectionable to the president
against the insurance by the war in
surance bureau of vessels laden with
munitions.
More than one senator declared
passage of the senate bill would
mean war sooner or later. but al
most without exception they added
that they were ready to accept war
on those terms. A few insisted that
il would not mean war. None eX-
pressed any other expectation than
that il would be passed and then
be accepted some time tomorrow by
the house.
Sen. Cummins, moved early in the
debate to amend Sen. stones
amendment by providing for con-
]
Sen. McCumber proposed as a sub
stitute for the entire bill a resolu-
ton declaring the rights of neutral
merchant vessels engaged in COM
merce. including the right TO arm
| for defense only. Belligerents would
have the right under the resolution
/ TO blockade in a zone around an
enemy and 10 search, seize or de-
stroy contra band cargo. Neutral yes
sells challenged could be fired upon
in case OF attempt TO escape.
The senate took up late Friday
afternoon the bill TO authorize armed
| neutrality, including the arming of
merchant ships.
The measure came before the SEN
ate over the protest Of Chairman
Cham berlain of the military COM
| raittee, who insisted that as an es-
| sential defense measure the annual
army appropriation bill should have
| precedence. His motion 10 substi-
tute il was Overwhelmingly defeat
ed.
The bill as taken up differs es-
| sentially from that passed by the
| house Thursday night. In addition
10 authorizing the arming of mer-
chantmen, il would extend authority
| 10 use other instrumentalities' as
! requested by the president to de-
! fend American rights and would not
prohibit extension of war risk insur-
ance 10 munitions carrying ships. II
was drafted by the senate foreign
relations committee and has the
presidents unqualified endorsement.
Oppose MunitiOn Protection.
Chairman Stone of the committee
offered an amendment 10 withhold
protection from munitions ships and
| turned the leadership on behalf Of
the measure over to Sen. Hitchcock,
the next ranking democratic COM
mittee member. An effort by Sen.
stone 70 attach such a provision to
the measure in committee had
failed
Sen. Cummins proposed TO amend
Sen. stones amendment so as TO al
thorize the president also 10 con-
voy armed merchant ships IF neces-
sary 70 protect them and the men,
| women and children who may be
lawfully upon them-from unlawful
attacks OF submarines
| The bill has been reported as