Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-03-01
WHOLE NATION STIRRED BY GERMAN INTRIGUE TO INVADE u s.

state when the Zimmerman note had
come into possession of the United
States government.
Senator Lodge added to his resolu-
ton a clause requesting that the Sem
ate be supplied with all other informa-
ton regarding this matter if not in
compatible with the public interest.
1T is time" said Senator LaFollette,
that we should know how long the
President or any branch of the gov
ernment has had the document in his
possession"
Senators Reed and Hardwick object
ed to hasty passage of the Lodge reso-
luton, and had it(re-read.
Time People Should Know
Senator Lodge declared that when
"a great news gathering association
like The Associated Press puts forward
seriously and solemnly what purports
to be dispatch from the secretary of
foreign affairs of Germany inviting
Mexico and Japan to unite to make
war on the United States it was time
the Congress and the people should be
informed of the matter"
While Senator Swanson was assur-
ing Mr. Lodge that he was authorized
to state that the announcement by
The Associated Press was correct, full
confirmation was being given officially
at the White House and State Depart
ment.
Senator Hardwick, of Georgia, DEM
ocrat, objected TO immediate consider
alton of the Lodge resolution and 9TH
er Senators urged him to withdraw it.
Senator Works, Republican, of CAL
ifornia, argued that it should be
adopted.
"It is exceedingly important" said
he, that we have explicit informa-
ton whether the President, at the time
he asked Congress to confer eXtraordi-
r1D ny i'm nf q n
conditions as disclosed in the news
papers. If the President had the in
| formation at that time it is due Con-
gress and the people of the United
States that he should lay before Con-
gress all the information that might
affect the actions of Congress. Con-
gress is dealing with that situation and
we should have all the information
before taking any steps"
Deplores CRITICISM
Senator Reed deplored what he said
appeared to be criticism of the Presi-
dent although Senator Lodge dis
claimed any intention to embarrass
him.
I 81 hope that at this moment, which
to me appears to be T. very solemn
one" Senator Reed said, I'VE will not
have any more manifestations of dis
position to criticise the President. Let
us criticise no one by any kind of in
cans should close their ranks and face
one way and respond to one sentiment,
l hope that will be done" 'l
II am very deeply impressed with
the gravity of the situation" said Sem
ator Thomas, Democrat, of Colorado.
I'VE are confronted with a crisis that
may be very serious. 1t is coinci-
dence that The Associated Press pub
| lication comes when the Senate is con-
sidering the army and navy bills.
But if this letter from the German
| foreign minister is authentic, and ii
is said to be by the Senator from Vir-
ginia, we should know it and know it
now. | hope the resolution of the
I Senator from Massachusetts will be
acted upon and / am sure the Presi-
| dent will respond to it, There may be
reasons for not giving the informa-
! tion, If incompatible with the public
/ interest.
The fact is The Associated Press
! has given this entire story to the pub
lie with what seems to be a most inn
J portant document. 1t is probably au-
thentic."
Senator Lodge said he cared little
regarding the form of his re olution.
No Criticism of Wilson
Nothing is further from my mind
than to suggest criticism of the Pres
ident" said he. I'VE ought to baye
this information-the people ought to
have ito know whether the docu-
ment is true or not If we are to act
! together we ought to have that fact
II have every reason to believe that
I the inquiry is not distasteful to the
President. We must not act on news
paper reports and we ought to have
! the official Information. The Presi-
dent is asking great power For one
l think VIC ought to give it to him
And we ought to have this informa-
tion in that connection"
Senator Pomerene, Democrat, OF
Ohio, said that in addition to the AS
scciated Press dispatches the Senate
| had the statement of Senator Swanson
that the Zimmerman dispatch was
authentic.
substantially correct" interjected
Senator Swanson.
IF there is any. variance we ought
! to know this fact" returned Pome-
rene. The resolution amply protects
the President-permitti him to give
the information if compatible with
| public interests. eWall realize the
gravity of the situation. / want the
most explicit information before act
| ing in a matter which may be so grave
| in its consequences"
Senator Smith, Democrat, of Geor-
gia, said he hoped the resolution
would be adopted at once.