The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-03-03
'WRG|h|ANS AS ONE
MAN UPHOLD PRESIDENT
No Man With American Blood in His
Veins Could Hesitate in Such a
Course. Flood Declares.
DOES NOT FORCE WAR
Defense of American Ships and
american Lives Will Place on Ger
many Onus of Amy Act Which May
Mean Clash,
tBy GEORGE II. NAMING,

Washington, D. c., March 2-The
| Virginia delegation in the house Of
representatives. holding true TO tho
hold the president when this nation Is
threatened by q foreign power. voted
as one man yesterday for Flood reso-
luton empowering President Wilson
to furnish guns. gunners and ammuni-
ton to American, ships to protect
American lives and property from
foreign aggression.
Congressman Flood, OF Virginia.
chairman of the foreign affairs COM
mittee, made a strong speech in pre-
senting the resolution to the house
and an equally forceful address in clos
ing the debate for the resolution
No man with American blood III his
veins and American sentiments in his
heart. declared Chairman Flood, could
hesitate TO give the president the az
thority he asked to protect American
citizens and uphold our national honor.
Congressman Carter Glass and Mon
tagua and two or three Of the other
Nirginians had intended to speak in
favor of the resolution, but delayed
making application for time untn the
time for debate had all been given
cut.
FLOODS speech.
Chairman Floods speech was as fol-
lows:
/ German has declared her purpose
OF ithdrawing promise she made 20
this country to conduct her subma rius
warfare according to the rules and
principles of international law mod
flied by the notes which passed between
this country and Germany in reference
70 use Of submarines She is now un-
dertak;nE 10 destroy every merchant
vessel whether helligerent or neutral,
bound for Great Britain. or Ireland pr
the Mediterranean"
The American merchant marine IS
tied up in our harbors and American
commerce is bockaaed as effectively
as if Germany had blockaded our ports.
VIII subrsit No Longer.
This condition is intclera BILE to
free and brave people. and il has con-
tluueG as long As the American gov
eminent and the American people are
willing TO submit TO it, applause
The pending legislation provides
the president means TO remedy this
intolerabie condition and free our com
merce and protect American lives and
citizens in their lawful pursuits upon
the hlsh seas
There are ample presidents for IN
action. There have been numerous
occa sions when an invasion OF our
rights have been such that the Amer
can congress thought II necessary 10
vest the presid nj for Ine time being
with extraordinary powers We On
acted such laws when we were weak
and feeble. but a brave nation, We
gave such powers In 1894, in 1905, in
1873, in 1899 and 1851
In 1894. when France and England
were at war, France vas preyine on
our commerce Just as Germany is to-
DAY. There were many people then who
coutende0 our commerce could not be
protectcd. the rights Of our citizens
could not be guarded and our honor
would not be upheld without going te
war with France But we gave the
president those powers and acting un-
der them our commerce was protected
American lives saved aud the honor
OF America vindicated. and war With
France was averted," applause
win Vet Bring Ahout War.
We are asking those same powers
for the president today. This i-gisla-
t,on may not avert war but II viii do
nt'lc TO bring about war. and Il We
should unhapply become engaged in
war the pc ssa &c OF this legislation VIII
be but a minor cause.
When We give the president this
authority and 10 exercises IT., the is
sue Of war or peace will be with GER
many and not with us
our ships have the right 10 SAL the
seas. our citizens have the right 10
, go there, and propose 10 protect
them. hope we can do Il peaceful
ly II we cannot will DO II with
eorce and with arms tApplauset
Our duty is clear to protec, oar
citizens and their property in their
lawful pursuits II Germany was PIE
posing to conduct her warfare accord
ing 10 International law there would
be no need FOR this legislation. But
she proposes 10 sink ships without
warning and without opportunity foc
non-cornb atants TO escape
America is going TO defend her citi-
gems and / cannot understand how
any man with American blood IN his
veins and American sentiment IN his
heart can hesitate to give the prsst-
; dent authority to protect American