The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-02-08
SENATE STANDS
BY PRESIDENT
Rupture With Germany Up
held, IS to 5, After Six
Hour Debate.
TWO DEMOCRATS VOTE NO
Senator Kirby Says Wilson
Has Almost Made Congress
Declare War.

WASHINGTON. Feb. THE resolution
offered by Senator Stone of Missouri. in
dorsing the Presidents action in severing
diplomatic relations with Germany was
passed by tho Senate to-day, seventy
eight Senators voting Yes and Ave
NO" The Ave who voted "No' were
Gronna, La Toilette and Works-Repub-
licans, and Kirby and Vardaman--Dem-
ocrats.
The vote came at the end of six hours
of debate. Almost the entire days seq
sion OF tho Senate was taken up with
the German situation. so tired were SEN
ators at the end OF the consideration of
the matter that they promptly and over
whelmingly voted down a motion for a
night session. Thus another attempt to
get up the consideration OF the Grayson
nomination failed.
Tho issue was raised by Senator
Works, who opened the session by n set
speech severely condemning the Presi-
dent for his action in severing diplomatic
relations. Following Senator Works
speech. the resolution of Senator Stone
was taken up and the Missouri Senator
made long speech supporting the au-
thority Of the President in taking the
action.
senator stone did not have very much
to say In approval OF the Presidents ac-
tion. II has been known that the chair
man OF the Foreign Relations Committee
was not particularly enamored Of the
Presidents German policy. II was
whispered around the Senate that Mr.
st one was urged to present such a reso-
luton by a group OF Administration Sem
ators. and that the act was not taken on
his own initiative.
UnderwOOd's Inquiries.
In the course OF the debate Senator
Underwood, who voted for tile resoiu-
ton but characterized 1t as I'll advised
and Ill timed" asked Senator Stone point
blank IL the President had indicated a
desire for such Endorsement from this
Senate. This colloquy was one OF the
most interesting features OF the debate.
IL assume" said Senator Underwood.
"and II ! am not correct the chairman OF
the Foreign Relations Committee can
correct me- that this resolution has not
been introduced in the Senate without
consultation with and approval OF the
President"
Senator Stone rose and with great de-
liberation replied:
THE resolution was introduced with
out a word OF consultation with the
President, and since its introduction
have not seen or talked with the Presi-
dent, not since the day he delivered his
address before the Joint session"
Did this resolution come merely with
the desire OF the Senator himself for ar
expression OF the opinion, or does the
Senator understand that 1t il introduced
with n desire to support the attitude OF
the President" asked Senator Under
wood
Senator Stone indicated that he had
not understood the question and Senator
Underwood again asked:
IL ask the Senator whether he has
talked with the President or talked with
somebody else in authority as to whether
it is his understanding that the execu
tive Administration OF the Government
desires this resolution to be passed.
stone Didn't Consult Wilson.
IL said | had no consultation whatever
with the President and ] have had nc
consultation whatever with any exccu
tive official concerning it, replied Sen
ator Stone.
L wish 10 nT1u out 1TOlIl tile ScHdtol
" could as to whether or not the Pres
thinks that the passage OF this resolution
will uphold his hands In emergency
persisted Mr.. Underwood.
/ "I scarcely know what the Presiden
thinks or feels about IT," replied Senator
Stone somewhat nettled. Il have had
no expression whatever from the Pres
/ dent on the subject"
/ Senator Underwood then explaines
! that II he thought the President desired
! in this emergency action by the Senate
to sustain the course he has pursued II
this matter. for one I would give II un
| hesitating1y and ungrudgingly." But th'
Senator said that without such assur
! ance he would have to regard it as I'll
/ advised and very i'll timed" Mr.. Under
wood said he would vote for the resolu
! tion, but he clearly indicated his dissen
from the Presidents latest move. a dis
sent that he has been expressing pri
vately.
"fhere Ia no greater glory that crown
( the Presidents administration" sat
Senator Underwood, than the fact tha
he has been able to keep his people gu
Of war"
He said there were two courses opel
to the President--the one he had pursue,
Of severing diplomatic relations; tn
other to "wait upon a direct violation o
our neutrality by an affirmative act"
=. Finally Senator Underwood said
do not wish, when. cast my vote 70
this resolution that has been forced upo
US to-day, to do so with any limitat
on my action as "A Senator and my righ
to express freely with my own judgmen
what should be done In the interest o
my own people and the people OF tn
country In the event that war or threat
ened war comes knocking Mt our door.
Senator Underwood took the view tina
action by the Senate voting down tn
resolution might he "misinterpreted 4
foreign lands' and because OF the fea
Of such mlsinterpretation he said
would vote for II.
Senator Lodge made stirring speec