The Washington herald., 1917-02-25
MAY FORCE WILSON'S HAND.

A bitter discussion of international
affairs yesterday eliminated in the
introduction of resolution authoriz-
ing the President 20 use the armed
forces of the nation to protect Amer
ican rights at sea. The resolution,
presented by Senator Fall, Repub-
lican, of New Mexico, brought the
Democrats to their feet with a rush.
and Senator Stone, chairman of the
Foreign Relations Committee, evil
DENLY aroused, forced the reference
Of the measure to his committee. The
Republican dictum was laid down by
Senator Lodge, an expert on interna-
tional questions, who said:
"1f the President acts, he will have
Congress behind him, but if he
doesn't. there is bound to be distrust."
Senator Lodge reviewed the occur
ences since the break in relations[with
Germany, declaring they showed that
the President had been absolutely
inactive, where aggressive action was
necessary. He mentioned the hold
ing of Ambassador Gerard in Berlin
for week, the reports of mistreat-
ment of Americans leaving Germany,
and other incidents to demonstrate
the need for action.
To Keep LegtsIation Back.
The Republicans made it apparent that
they propose to keep legislation back un-
til some definite move is made in the in
ternadonal situation. Privately they de-
clared that unless the German situation
reached crisis and was disposed Of one
way or another before March T. they
would delay enough imperative legisla-
tion to force an extra session. Senator
John Sharp Williams, however, aroused
publican ire when he suggested that
the influence OF munitions manufacturers
was behind the Republican fight
The announcement that the President
does not intend to take the German crisis
TO Congress for some days yet was forth
coming. after a group of Senate Demo-
Gratis visited the White House and talked
over the Senate situation with the Presi-
dent Senator Simmons, in charge of the
revenue bill, declared that the RepubII-
cans would have plenty OF time to fight
the Presidents foreign policy after the
whole matter had been laid before Con-
Eress. He said that in a few DAYS the
foreign situation would be explained to
the Senate and House. and that then n
the Republi- ms desired to fight the Pres
ident's request for authority to deal with
the German crisis. they could easily pre-
vent It's enactment at the present session.
Confer with President.
Senators Stone. Salisbury. Pomerene.
James, Hollis and Swanson conferred with
the President, while the bitter battle over
the German situation was on in the
Senate. No announcement was made
after the conference, but when the Sena-
tors returned to the Capitol, the Demo-
cratic leaders made arrangements 10 keen
the Senate in continuous session to break
the Republican filibuster. Senator Sim
mons announced that no recess or ad-
joIrnment would be taken until the pend
ing revenue bill had been passed. He
declared that the filibuster was directed
against the revenue bill and that the
international situation was a mere
pretext
and the Senate settled down to the long
dreary grind OF twenty-four hours a day.
Democratic leaders asserted they would
keep the Senate in continuous session
until March 4 unless the fflibuster was
broken. The debate waxed hot and
heavy.
This Is the most determined fIiibuster
I have ever seen In all my experience
In the Senate" said Senator Simmons
Il think It In due the American people
that they be told who is responsible The
Senate knows and the country knows
that this is q filibuster to prevent the
collection Of approximately s26 100000 to
be levied on the rich and powerful.
We are told that the object OF the
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