Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-03-02
STONE GIVES
UP LEADERS, POSITION
Hitchcock Takes Charge Of
Bill to Confer Power Asked
by President
By Carl D. Groat.

Omitted Press Staff Correspondent
Washington, March g. Declaring
himself "out of sympathy with the
measure Senator Stone, chairman of
the foreign relations committee. startl.
ed the upper chamber late this after
noon by refusing to pilot the authority
bill asked by the president through the
senate.
Stone asked that Senator Hitchcock
he put in charge of the bill which
would empower the president to arm
merchant ships and employ "other in
strumentalities to handle the inter
national situation.
al am not in accord with the bill
as it has been framed" Stone said,
and shall offer what | consider an
important amendment to the bill"
Stone then demanded that the bill
be amended to prevent the president
from arming munitions ships and from
supplying naval gunners to operate
guns on merchant ships.
The amendment follows:
"Provided that nothing herein shall
authorize the president to employ or
direct any person to operate any arms
placed on any merchant ships by the
United States as herein authorized;
and
Provided further that it shall not
be lawful for any merchant ship sup
piled by the president with arms as
herein provided to carry or convey as
a part of her cargo any munitions or
other supplies of war destined for de-
livery to the armed forces of belliger-
ent nation with which the United
States is at peace.
"And provided further that it shall
not be lawful for any merchant ship
which may be under tine convoy or inn
mediate protection of any public yes
sci of the United States to carry or
convey as a part of her cargo any am
munition or other supplies of war
destined for delivery to the armed
forces of belligerent nation with
which the United States is at peace. F."
After Senator Stones amendment
had been read Hitchcock assumed
charge of the bill.
''This is an emergency bill," said
Hitchcock, "The president asks for
certain powers to maintain armed
neutrality. He asks for authority to
use other instrumentalities he asks
for necessary credits, he asks for "a
war insurance fund all of these were
agreed to by the senate foreign rela-
tions committee.
Power was also given in the bill
for merchant vessels to defend them
selves from unlawful attack. I regret
that the chairman of the committee has
declined to manage this bill. The bill
does not exactly represent my senti-
ments, but accepted it because it was
apparently the wishes of the masses
and the administration
Hitchcock demanded the United
States at once assume q position of
armed neutrality as its safest course.
"Armed neutrality" he said, "is far
less likely to lead us into war than the
present uncertain policy.
"There is more safety in a definite
position than in an uncertain one'
Hitchcock said he would rather trust
President Wilson not to lead the
United States into war ethan l would
this body itself.'
"And | am ready to take the pres
ident's word to congress that he does
not contemplate war or steps which
necessarily lead to war, he said.
Jones held that to authorize the pres
ident to employ ''other instrumental
ities,' to protect American citizens
would empower him to convoy, with
American hattleships TO belligerent pas
senger liners such as the Laconia.
Senator Lodge Immediately took is
sue with him.
81 see nothing in this bill author
izing the president to protect bellig-
erent merchant ship Lodge said.
Hitchcock declared the bill was
aimed to protect none other than
! American vessels.
Republicans seemed disposed TO wran-
gle over the terms of the bill.
The galleries were iammed great
numbers standing.
During discussion the senate doors