Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-04-05
DEBATE I'M SENATE SHOWS
MAJORITY WILL BACK UP
FIGHT ON PRUSSIANISM

I HGgGN1OH HHVHOM
forced upon us and we did much to
avoid it. For nearly three years the
president, congress and the American
people have hoped to avoid it, But one
desperate act by the imperial German
government has followed another. l do
not mean to say Germany has desired
war with us. l do not believe that. But
the imperial German government has
been desperate and has taken desper-
ate chances"
LaFoIIettc Sees Gronna.
American neutrality the senator said.
had first been shocked by the invasion
of Belgium. Then the sinking of the
Lustania almost caused war. He said.
however, he did not consider that Ger
many had violated any pledges she gave
after the sinking of the Lusitania be-
cause she had expressly reserved the
right to revoke that pledge.
During Senator Hitchcock's speech
Senator La Toilette was absent most oe
the time comforting with Senator
Gronna and others who are expected to
oppose the resolution
Senator Hitchcock said he had hoped
armed neutrality would avert war.
Senator Lodge, ranking republican OF
the foreign relations committee, spoke
after Senator Swanson.
NO one is more conscious than
that this is a moment for action and
not for debate said MIR. Lodge. But
| wish briefly to state why l support
| it with the greatest earnestness of
which l am capable.
The most momentouS power intrust-
! ed by the legislation is authority to de-
clare war and never has congress been
called to more solemn exercise of this
great power than at this moment. We
have submitted to wrongs and outrages
! from the central powers of Europe with
a long patience. We have borne and
| foreborne to the very limit of our en-
durance. Now the inevitable end is here
| and we are about to declare war against
\ Germany.
Party Lines Must Fade.
Speaking for myself, and hope for
my associates generally, on this side OF
the chamber, desire to say that in this
crisis and when the country is at war.
party lines will disappear and this dis
| appearance of the party line will, am
confident not be confined to the mi
nority. Both democrats and republicans
must forget party in the presence of q
common danger. This is not and cannot
be Il party war. 1t is a war IN which all
Americans must be united and no one
must ask loyal citizen, high or low.
who seeks to serve his country in the
field or in civil life, to what party he
belongs, any more than it would be
possible to ask his religion or his race.
AS Americans we shall all, l am sure.
be prepared to give to the executive,
money, men and all the necessary pow.
ers for waging war with Germany and
driving it forward to a successful con-
clusion.
81 thoroughly believe in the general
policy laid down by Washington when
he addressed the people of the United
States not to enter into permanent al
liances; but the man who won the
!, American revolution through the alli-
, ance with France would have been the
: last to lay down a hard and fast rule
that under no circumstances and for
mo purposes were we to ever ally our
selves with other nations. Far seeing
/ and wise. he knew very well that dan
gers might come which would make a
temporary alliance or an agreement
with foreign nations imperative.
. THAT time has arrived. 1t would be
. madness for US to attempt to make war
! alone upon Germany and find our
y selves. perhaps. at the end, left isolated,
at war with that power, when all the
nations had made peace, because we
. had not announced ourselves with them.
The allies of the entente, as they are
n called are fighting a common foe and
y y their foe is now ours.
n Would Send Armed Force.
We cannot send an army across the
: ocean for we have no army to send,
j, yet, should be glad, for one, II we
d could send 10000 men of our regular
troops, so tnaC lne 1lits VI lue OHlleU
+ States might at least be unfurled In the
V fields of France. | believe that the
. mere sight of that flag in that region.
made so desolate by war, would stimu-
late the courage and help the success
:, of those who have the same aim that
s we have and who seek the same VIC
l, tory We can also help the allies, ;s
u the president recommends, with large
u credits and with those supplies which
!. i we can furnish and which they lack.
n We cannot do more in any direction to
:. bring this war to speedy end than
n n to give the credits and furnish these
e supplies"
Senator Lodge, referring to the pres
= idents statement concerning German
: spies in this country, said he believed
a the overwhelming mass of our citizens
of German descent are just as loyal to
l. the United States as any citizens could
y be-" but that German agents must be
"a dealt with, to quote the presidents 8
1t address, with a firm hand"
"a Norris Sees Dollar Sign.
~ A vigorous speech in opposition to
the war resolution was made by Sen
~ ~ ator Norris, of Nebraska. who charged
=. =. that wall street. and others of wealth
,. We're interested in profits and also that
;, newspapers and new agencies have
= been in a propaganda to foster war
sentiment.
=. II am most emphatically and sincere
- ly opposed to taking any step that will
force this country into this useless and
!! senseless war; said Senator Norris
'e But | shall not permit my feelings to
interfere With bringing success and
u victory to American arms
H. Norris cited loans to the allies as q
H. huge American interest in the wars
), outcome.
> Almost Treason. Reed Says.
I'd Senator Norris concluded by predict
ne ing that the conflict would take
ID America into "entanslements that will
or not end With this war
" Senator Reed democrat. of Missouri
of replied to Senator Norris by declaring
g. that his charge that the war resolution
IN was placing the dollar sign on the
n American flag was almost treason"
of His assertion that the nation was
is going to war on the demand of golc
of WAS IAN indictment of the president o
the United States. an Indictment o.
congress. of the American people and o.
ia the truth
nd Norris Blinded by Prejudice.
tic Senator Norris Reed declared, was {
~. man SO blinded by his obscessions "tha
er all that is necessary to get him to tak'
at a false vision is to suggest that SOM
I'M wealthy man or interest, however re
It's mote or contingent, is concerned II
,st something or will make profits from
an something
,st The president is not calling Americ,
til to arms for the sake of the few paltr!
in dollars Senator Reed continued "bu