The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-03

T am In favor of sinking these sub- marines on sight" replied Senator Cum mins. but there is no use in closing our eyes to the patent fact that if we send out ships and intend that they at- tack submarines when sighted we are committing an act of war" Senator Lodge said he differed from that view. He declared that every mer- chant ship has the right to defend It. self, and that when the periscope of a German submarine appears in the vicin- fty of a merchantmen it is the first signal for an attack"
 He agreed with suggestion by Senator Williams that in such a situation the act of war would rather be on the part of the submarine.
 Replying to Senator Reed, MT. Lodge said a merchantmen would be Justified in sinking any submarine on sight, whether German. British or French if they had been sinking vessels without warning by direction of their government
 TO SHOOT ON SIGHT
 If we arm our vessels will they be expected to shoot at submarines upon seeing a periscope?" asked Senator Reed
 That is my understanding" MT. Lodge answered, insisting that 1t would not be an act of war but of self defense"
 But what~4if the merchant vessel misses and Is sunk by the submarine?" persisted Senator Reed.
 Senator Lodge thought that would not be an act of war
 This bill is no declaration of war" Senator Lodge continued. Tn 1t we are giving to the President the powers we think he ought to have in response to his request. Then the responsibility is his. l would not have Congress withhold such power when the country is at odds with a foreign power.
 WANTS EXTRA SESSION
 'I am one who thinks it for the best interest of the country that Congress should remain in session in such time as this. I wish the President would call Congress at an early date. I think our situation is extremely, grave The bill be- fore us is more than ever needful in the presence of that letter, the authenticity os which the President gave us last night. Some senators have been inclined to re- gard that note as playful matter. It was not playful thing to me.
 Tt seems to me when one of the great est nations of the world was conspiring with other nations friendly to us to en- gage in war against us if we sustained our rights against submarine warfare, that it is no time to be close listed in the powers we confer on the President of the United States
 Senator Walsh, democrat pointed out that while the constitution gives Con- gress power to declare war, it also makes the President commander-in- chief of the army and navy, and com mands that he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed"
 SEVERAL GRANTS OF POWER
 These several grants of power" said Senator Walsh, "all are to be considered in arriving at a just con- clusion as to where the authority rests to initiate war. to direct movements likely to precipitate war. It admits of no dispute that if an army should attempt to invade our territory 1t would be the duty of the President as commander-in-c chief of our land and naval forces to utilize all the means at his command IS such. to repel and, if necessary, to destroy the hostile force. No President. in sech crisis, would be held excused by the Ameri- can people if he should defer action until he had taken the advice or sought specific authority from Con gress.''