Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-03-01

Washington, Feb. S.-The day In Con-
gress was as follows:
Senatc-Met at 1000 a. m
Resumed debate on revenue bill.
Military committee ordered report on
army bill carrying $2T,ooo.Go
Republican senators again threatened
to tic up defense bill to force an extra
session Of Congress.
House--Met at 11:00 a. m.
Passed the $iS9 10000 sundry civil APP
preparation bill
Foreign affairs committee considered
administration resolution for arning neu-
trail ships.
Conferees made another effort to agree
on the apparently deadlocked $S3o.WoW
postal bill
Prohibitionists and anti-prohibtionists
lined up for final tight over District of
Columbia prohibition.
= Washington. Feb. 2s.--Opposition in
Congress to granting President Wilson
authority to protect American rights
and lives on sea began melting to-day
and administration leaders confidently
predicted action within another "a
hours.
There were indications that many of
the republicans of the Senate who
though favoring the steps proposed. in
sist that Congress should be called In
extra session, would vote for the meas
ure requested 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 "A single handed flibus-
ter in the closing hours of the ses-
sion.
PACIFISrS CHANGING.
Details of the destruction of the
Cunard liner Iaconia published in the
morning papers and telling of the suf-
fering and death of an American moth
er and daughter among the passengers
had its effect. Members of the House
and Senate whose communications had
come largely from pacificts, began re-
ceivfng kilograms from their constit-
uents calling for vigorous action ny
the government.
Tho House foreign affairs committee
early in the day reported out the Flood
bill authorizing tho President to arm,
American ships. with amendments elm
mating the provision for the use Of ''other
e instrlmentalities" and adding n prohibit
ton against the insurance Of ammunition
ships by the government war risk bureau.
A special rulo to expedite passage Of the
measure was introduced by Chairman
Flood Of the foreign affairs committee
who said he probably will press 1t to-
morrow. It would provide for vote no,
later than four o'clock p. m.
The administration plan is to have the
Senate substitute for the House measure
the BIN reported by the Senate committee
and based upon a memorandum prepared
by the President. In the form Of a con-
ference report the leaders anticipate nc
difficulties in having the House pass
promptly the substitute.
BRYAN AT CAPITOL
Former Secretary Bryan appeared al
, 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. ant
=, in a general way endorsed Presidcn
Wilson's address to Congress.
ANOTHER AGGRAvATING INCIDENT
3" Another aggravatinG incident wa.
added to the situation to-day by thu
receipt Of q word from Germany tina
four American consuls were beini
held there because a German consu
on his way from the United States Il
: Ecuador had been delayed in Cuba. !
statement of the facts with a reques
for Immediate release of the Americans
was cablcd tonight.
INSTRUCTIONS no E14KUS.
~ Announcement was made at tn,
state department that instructions hat
been sent to Ambassador Elkus "a
Constantinople to report definitely ant
= Immediately whether Turkey woult
guarantee. not only for herself but TO
her allies. the safety of the American
cruiser Des Moines and the naval col
y lier Caesar in taking relief supplies
into Syria and bringing out the 100
or 30 marooned Americans there. Am
bassador Elkus, having sent rattle
(, ambiguous promise from the Turkish
authorities, was told to say that unles
dehE ,te and specific guarantees wer
! received from Turkey binding all tn
central powers. the two vessels woul
? not be allowed to proceed.
sEN. MARTINE's VALEDICToRY.
legislative and international problem
were laid aside to-day by the Senate 10
r time to listen to a valedictory address
!. by Senator MARITIME of New jersey. VIII
I retires March 4 after six years service
!, The senator paid his respects to polite:
y, opponents and answered criticisms tina
he did not always vote with his party h
.. declaring that he had always voted hi
r convictions.
n 1T has been said in published STATE
=, ments that was sheer accident. jok
6 q mountebank. A buroon and disGrae
r to this body" he shouted. striding up an
~ down tho center aisle. But no man eve
said was a moral coward. a prctende
s that Is my answer to these villainous an
. cowardly attacks"
Senator MARITIME said he believed
: diroct elections Of senators. had souEl
= to establish such procedure and now bowe
=. to the peoples Nat at such an election
b He added that he had found the Sena
wonderfully human. and knew of r
place SO well calculated to take cut
mans esotsm."
r. Senators Lodge and Kenyon replied. a
alr Suring the New Jersey senator that
~ would leave with the we'll wishes az
u ahectionatc regard of all members.
y. EVERY man OF this body feels ne
Z. 'sonsl loss In the departure Of the sem
D. tor from New Jersey" said Senator kc
w. yon. '"rhe most needfu thing In publ
life to-day is courage-sometimes ! thin
a the rarest. He has 1t In abundance.
II, ono ever saw him finch In pcrforman
fs' Of . public duty. Hypocrisy never had
: place in his SOUL
TUESDAY IN CONGRESS
washington. Feb. 27.-rhe day in Co
groGs was A. follows:
= esnats--Mst At noon
sn Forsign relations committee began co
al - -