The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-01-23
cummins Ask. Discussion.

y
cunnmins Asks Discussion.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-Senatof
Cummins, Iowa, offered resolution
today asking that the presidents au
dress to the senate yesterday De
brought up for discussion by mem
bers of the senate Monday. =,
Senator Cummins stated 1t wouid
be impossible for the senate to take
any official action on the questlons
involved in the presidents message
until the president has submitted
plans for entering into the Worlo
peace tribunal to the senate.
Cummins' resolution asks that the
message be brought up Monday and
that every member Of the senate De
given an opportunity to express ms
views with an hour limitation on
speeches.
Senator Stone suggested that the
resolution be referred to committee
on foreign affairs, but later WILL
drew his suggestion when it was de.
cided to delay further discussion OIL
the resolution until tomorrow.
Immediately after Cummins Offered
his resolution, Senator Jones, OF
Washington, republican, asked that
sections of the democratic platform
of 1904 and 1912 relating to exc
cutiye usurpation" and rights or
the states" be read.
That section Of the platform reiat-
ing to executive usurpation follows
We favor the nomination. and
election of president imbued
with the principles Of the consti-
tuition, who will set his face
sternly against executive usurpa-
ton of legislative and judicial
functions, whether that usurpa-
ton be yelled under the guise OF
legislative construction of the
existing laws, or whether it take
refuge in the tyrant's plea Of ne !.
'cessity or superior wisdom.
That section referring 10 the rights
OF the states, reads:
We believe in the preservation
and maintenance in their full
strength and integrity Of the
three coordinate branches of the
federal goyernment-the legisla-
tire-the executive and the judic-.
ial-each keeping within Its
bounds and not encroaching upon
just powers of either Of the
others.
Following reading by the clerk of
the platform sections, the senate
without further discussion OF the
presidents message, resumed the
regular morning business.
Editorial Comment.
NEW YORK, Jan. 23.-With few
the press OF the country
today hailed President Wilson's speech
to the senate as great step in the
history OF the nation and of the world.
Editorial comment today ehowed a
political party division, some repub
lican newspapers attacking it bitter
~. while others merely expressed fear
that it's advanced idealism would lead
to MISUNDERSTANDING abroad and is
pute at home.
The New York Tribune, (republican)
declares the president "has gone from
bad to worse" while the st. Louis
Globe-Democrst calls the speech
either monumental mistake Or an
act that will fill a glowing page in
history"
To certain extent similar divis-
ion is apparent in the democratic
press. The majority of democratic
editorials laud the address and the in
tent behind it and express the belief
that its effect will be far-reaching.
The Louisville Courier Journal, on the
other hand, refers to the speech as
the proposal OF transcendental
dreamer"
The New York Stats Zeitung de-
clares the presidents words will ring
through the centuries" while the Hi.
nois Stats Zeitung declared he spoke
without authority. d
The New York Times declares the
president gives voice to the sentiment
of the American people and serves
notice that their views must be con-
suited in peace adjustments
The World expressed the belief that
the president has "enunciated the
upon which alone a durable peace
is possible"
Freedom Of the Seas.
HBy ]. P. Yoder. United Press Staff
Correspondent
WASHINGTON. Jan. 23.-That lit
eral working out Of the presidents
suggestions regarding a direct outlet
to the great highways of the seas"
for all nations would mean complete
naturalization of the Panama. Suez
and Kiel canals, as we'll as neutraliza-
ton of Gibraltar and the Dardanelles,
is the Interpretation by British, Ger
man and neutral officials here today.
This Interpretation mentioned, con-
stitutes symposium OF expressions
OF opinion by belligerent and neutral
officials as to just what the president
meant when he declared no nation
need be shut away from free access to
the open paths OF the worlds COM
A1-A