Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-03-01
OPPOSITION TO
WILSON MEL1S
Congress Expected to Give
President Authority
in "a Hours.
LA TOILETTE IS FEARED
He Treatens Lone-Handed
Filibuster to Hold Up
a Decision.
BULLETIN

WASHINGTON, March 1.-Srnator
La Toilette, by u singlc-handcd fill
buster, blocked attempts of adninis-
tratiOn leaders to secure "a vote on the
armed neutrality bill, and at o'clOs X
this (Thursday) morning the senate
ad jOurncd after the bill had been sub.
mittcd with u favorable committee re-
port. II will be voted on Friday.
WASHINGTON, Feb 2S.--Opposi-
ton in congress to granting President
Wilson authority to protect American
rights and life on the sea began melt
ing today and administration leaders
confidently predict action within an
other "a hours.
There are indications that many Of
the senate Republicans, who, tho IA
voring the steps proposed, Insist that
congress should be called in extra ses-
sion, would vote for the measure re-
quested by the president when the
roll was called. The chief, If not
the only reason, for uncertainty was
found in the attitude of Senator La
Toilette, who has given indications of
preparing for n single-handed fill
buster in the closing hours of the ses-
sion.
Details of the destruction of the
Cunard liner Laconia, published in
the morning papers and telling of the
death of an American mother and
daughter among the passengers, had
its effect during the day. Members
OF the house and senate whose com
munications had come largely from
pacifists, began receiving kilograms
from their constituents calling for
vigorous action by the government.
The house foreign affairs committee
early in the day reported out the
Flood bill authorizing the president to
arm American ships, with amend
ments eliminating the provision for
the use of "other instrumentalities'
and adding a prohibition against the
insurance of munitions ships by the
government war risk bureau. spe-
cial rule to expedite passage of the
measure was introduced by Chairman
Flood of the foreign affairs commit
tee. who said he probably will press
1t tomorrow. 1t would provide for IA
vote not later than o'clock p. IN.
The administration plan is to have
tho senate substitute for the house
measure the bill reported by. the sem
ate committee and based upon a
memorandum prepared by the presi-
dent In the form of conference re-
port the leaders anticipate no diff
Guilty in having the house pass
promptly the substitute.
Former Secretary Bryan appeared
at the capitol tonight while the house
was debating the District of Columbia
prohibition bill. 1t developed, how
ever. that he had not come to support
the efforts of the pacifist group and
in general way indorsod President
Wilson's address to congress.
More AggrayatiOn.
Another aggravating incident was
added to the situation today by the
receipt of word from Germany that
four American consuls were being
held in Germany because German
consul, on his way from the United
States to Ecuador had been delayed in
Cuba. A statement Of the facts and
n request for immediate release of the
Americans was cabled tonight. An
nouncement was made at the state de-
partmont that instructions had been
sent to Ambassador Elkus at Con-
stantinople to report definitely and
Immediately whether Turkey would
guarantee, not only for herself but for
her allies, the safety of the American
cruiser Des Moines and the naval col
lier Caesar in taking relief supplies
into Syria and bringing out the one
thousan or so marooned Americans
there. Ambassador Elkus, having sent
a rather ambiguous promise from the
Turkish authorities, was told to say
CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE