The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-03-08
But Executive Prefers Congress
Shall Act and Will Doubtless
Await Result in Senate
ATTORNEY
AND LANSING AGREE
Presidents Constitutional Right
to Safeguard American Lives
CannotLawfuIly Be lnfringed
On By Statutes
BY r.. IL. SARTWELL.
International News Service Stan
Correspondent


Washington. March despite his
determination to arm American mer-
chant ships to brave the German
submarine zone, and protect Ameri-
can rights at sea, President Wilson
tonight stiH withheld his decision to
act upon his own responsibility.
While no announcement was forth
coming, il was known that the legal
and diplomatic advisers of the presi-
dent had definitely decided that under
the constitution the chief executive
has the necessary authority to put
guns and gunners aboard American
vessels. But the formal ANNOUNCES
meiit OF the decision and the formal
orders for action We're withheld while
Republican and Democratic forces in
the senate agreed on a limitation on
senate debate, which would clear the
way for a bill granting fun armed
neutrality authority to the president
If an extra session Is called.
Two Courses Open.
Two courses were open TO the
president tonight in the matter OF
arn1ing American ships. One was inn
mediate action on his own authority,
which he originally questioned. but :.
which has now been upheld by his
closest advisers and by congressional
tFdaeTS- he stGbiiu NdS ~ wan uh-
til the senate cloture rule Is adopt
cd and then call an extraordinary
session of the six:y-ffth congress,
with the practical certainty that COM
plete authority will, be forthcoming
promptly and ungrudgingly The
president discussed both courses with
ca hinet members and with congress
sional leaders, and tonight it was
made known that no move Will be
made until tomorrow.
From Acknowledgement Gregory
the president received an opinion
which sustained the contention that
the president has all needed authority
to protect American lives and rights
at sea The attorney general. it was
understood held that the authority
conferred by the constitution could
not he changed or diminished by
limitations imposed in statutes pass
ed at any time, AMI that statutes at
tempting to limit that authority were
unconstitutional The opinion wan
not made public
(onfcr~ ~ 10 Cfoturc.
After going over the attorney-gen-
erals opinion the president conferred
at length with various senate leaders
on the Cioture situation in the upper
house. He then called in Secretary OF
State Lansing. who for an hour went
over all of the details of the proposal
to arm ships, and all of the develops
ments which might follow such
step, Secretary Lansing, 1t was learn
ed. is impatient for the president to
take immediate action. He held
weeks ago that the presidents authors
ity is ample without congressional re-
affirmation. after a careful review OF
all the statutes and precedents. The
premier believes that aggressive aud
immediate action is imperative :,
vindicate the position OF the United
States with foreign nations. and to
demonstrate. that American commerce
cannot he barred from the seas.
Daniels Ready To Act.
Secretary Of the Navy Daniels was
ready tonight to move At once to arm
merchant ships. II WAS stated that
within an hour after the president
issues the order. the naval machinery
at New York. Boston. and f'hila.fei-
phia will he in motion Putting auns
and gtinners aboard the merchant
vessels in those ports At tho naxv
department It was said. however.
that no stat'" eat the. y at;c" w..Hl I
he Forthcoming until some time 10
morrow. There was crowns. eon-
viction. however. Tint tie orders VIII
he forthcoming within n very snort
time.
The ultimate decision IN arm Anie-. y
lean ships is expected TO bring 10 =
head the dragging NEGOTIATIONS With
Austria The tone of the last Austrian
statement on the submarine issue Was
so conciliatory that administrators
officials believe that real, will Ga
necessary in .order to avoid "'aein1
the United States in the position df <
forcing a break rho A1striaa nefe
was very clear. however. on tho pnsrf
that the dual MONARCHY will sink
without warning merchant sieitss \
which are armed. and IL American
vessels put To sea carryin.. nsrtti ANS
and gunnefs. tho hreat: with Nustsi4
is deemed Inevitable
s. ~ -
Nrs Gates ~ Mosbnr's Ress ss'~s
Mrs, $. O. Gates, Of this city hs<
been called To the bedside. - hrr
mother Mrs. l.. A. Mcrraw. OF Hail.
fax county. who il seriously IN MsAs
McCraw is prominently connected Inss
Virginia. being q direct descendant m
Governor SpotaMood. n 81