The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-02
Appropriates $1,5OO,OOO to Ac-
quire Desired Site.
House Passes Presidents Bill
by Vote of 403 to IS.
100 MILLION EMERGENCY FUND
After Squabble Senate to Vote
on Armed Neutrality Bill.
Got Plot Note This Week, Will
son Tells Senate.

Washington, March BY vote
of as to IS the senate today adopted
a committee amendment to the naval
bill authorizing establishment OF
second navy yard on San Francisco
bay with an initial appropriation or
$1,5OO,000 to acquire a site.
At the opening of the senate today
Senator Stone moved immediate con-
sideration of the senate bill author
izing the president to arm merchant
ships and to protect American rights
on the high seas.
This bill empowers the president to
employ "other instrumentalities" and
bears his approval.
Senator LaFollette, who about
to leave the chamber, hurriedly re-
turned to his seat and demanded the
ayes and nays.
BY a vote of 81 to Is. the senate
proceeded to consideration of the bill.
Curtis Sides With LaFollettc.
Those opposing consideration were
Senators Bryan, Florida; Cummins.
Iowa: Gronna, North Dakota; Curtis,
Kansas; Jones, Washington; Sherman,
Illinois; Watson, Indiana; Clapp, Min
nesota; Kirby, Arkansas; Myers, Mon
tana: LaFollette, WISCONSIN,; Page.
Vermont; Norris, Nebraska; Town
send, Michigan; Works, California.
The vote presaged passage of the
resolution by a big margin.
In view OF previous agreement,
however, to take up the navy bill at
noon, the authority bill was suspend
led by unanimous consent until after
4 i .fdlr.s
EIinffuate Arbitration Clause.
Without discussion the senate to-
Gay approved the action of the naval
committee in eliminating from the
naval bill the provision re-affirming
it to be the policy of the United States
to adjust and settle its International
disputes thru mediation or arbitration
to the end that war may be honorably
avoided.
1t was put in the bill in the house
by Minority Leader Mann.
The opposition to another navy
yard on San Francisco bay to supple
ment the Mare Island yard, was on
the ground that it could not be used
within at least five years.
Senator Works was one of those
who objected. Senator Phelan also
of California, observed that the
Angeles and San Diego, in Senator
Works part of the state.
Patriotism Spurs Congress.
Washington. March Passing of
the first shock of yesterdays anthem
ticated disclosure that Germany
plotted to incite Mexico and Japan
to war against the United States found
government agencies today more
closely united in spirit against threat
ened danger, and awaiting with keen
interest official statements from
Mexico and Japan defining their at
titudes
Officials confidently looked for ex-
plantations of friendship from both,
and consequent collapse of the Ger
man intrigue. Nevertheless prepara-
| tions were hurried along for whatever
may confront the nation. The bill
authorizing President Wilson to arm
ships and providing a bond issue of
500, O00, 900 passed by the house last
night by vote of 403 to 10 after ten
hours of enthusiastic debate, was in
! the senate'S hands and action was ex-
| pected late today or tonight.
Replies to Senate Query.
/ The senate, IN response to its formal
| inquiry, had President Wilson's Off
| cial assurance that the version of Ger
man Foreign Minister Zimmermann's
/ note to the German minister at Mex
leo City was authentic. The president
disclosed that the communication
came into possession of the govern
! ment this week but expressed the
opinion that it was "incompatible
with the public interest" to give the
senate further details concerning il ar
| the present time. After an all dav
I debate the senate last night adopted
| resolution asking the president 10
transmit any information he thought
! advisable and a few hours later the
! president complied by Forwarding n
report from Secretary Lansing, which
| the president specified had his an
prevail
After the naval bill is disposed of
! late today, the senate plans to take
up the armed neutrality bill and its
| early passage is believed certain un-
/ less Senator LaFollette should fill
buster The senate probably will sub
sutute its own bill, which would grant
/! the president authority to use "othef.
/ Observation-Disclosures not provided by the
| house bill, to protect neutral rights
and which does not contain the house
| bills prohibition against risk insur-
ance for munition ships. The sudden
| abandonment of party lines and the
apparent wave of patriotism which
swept both houses during debate yes
/ terday developed one OF the most not
able legislative situations in years.
German Intrigue Widespread
Officials today guarded other infor-
nation they may have concerning the
German intrigue. but they indicated
il was widespread. 1t now appea RS
that Count Won Bernstorff. the former
I German ambassador. received instruc-
lions from Berlin to arrange the dis
mantling of German ships in Ameri-
can ports, at the me time he got
(, the Zimmerman note for transmits
sion to Mexico City.