Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-06
TO CALL AN EXTRAORDINARY
SESSION TO SECURE
RIGHT He DEMANDS
SENATORS IN DEBATE
UPPER BODY AT WASHINGTON
DISCUSSES PROPOSED cLoTuRE
RULES TO ABOLISH FUTURE
FiLiBUSTERiNG-To BE BUSY
A MONTH

Washington. Mar. 6.-The Senate
went back to work today preparing
for a long and bitter wrangle over
the revision of its rules, suggested by
President Wilson, to abolish filibuster-
ing and clear the way for prompt ac-
ton on the armed neutrality bill which
failed with the expiration of the sixty.
fourth Congress Sunday
1t has before it enough debate pro-
ducng material to keep it in session
az least a month, in the opinion OF
some leaders, and perhaps three
months, according to others When
it revises its rules, the President is
expected to call both Houses in extra
ordinary session to ask them again
for the power denied him in dealing
with the German submarine warfare.
Democratic senators went into eau
gested cloture rule to curtain debate
Senator Owen, of Oklahoma, pioneer
in the cloture rule fight, will try 10
have the caucus endorse rule plac-
ing the restriction of debate entirely
in the hands of majority. The adop-
tion of such rule, however, was gen.
orally regarded as impossible. Most
senators favoring cloture feared Sem
ator Owens plan was too drastic and
they were unwilling to accept any rule
requiring less than two-thirds vote
to close debate.
Administration leaders in the Sem
ate admitted today that 1t was doubt
full whether the passage of the armed
neutrality bill would be hastened by
adoption of cloture rule. There
will be more opposition to revision
of the rules than there would be to an
armed neutrality bill. Many senators
who favored giving the President
broad powers in the international sit
uaton, will fight any attempt to i'm
pose a gag rule on the Senate rule.
On the other hand, it was pointed ont
today, another week or ten days cas-
lily would have exhausted the filibus-
ter against the armed neutrality bill.
In addition to the proposed revision
of the rules, the Democratic caucus
today gave consideration to the So
lection of new majority leader to
succeed John w. Kern. whose term
expired Sunday The fight for leader
ship lies between Senator Walsh, of
Montana and Senator Martin, of Vir-
ginia.
"Check Up" Reservlstss
st. Louis. Mo, Mar. 6.--Twenty.nine
United States secret service men have
been here six weeks checking up the
Germans who have left St Louis for
Mexico during the last few weeks, ii
was learned today, Activity OF the
Federal operatives was learned follow
Ing reports from New York that So
0O0 German reservists have started
an exodus to the southern republic.
Using St Louis as base Of opera
tions, secret service agents have
traced a number Of German reseryists
who were reported to have partcipat
ed in purchasing tickets for Salt Lake
City, Utah, in an endeavor to reach
a point near the Gulf of California.
Further details are lacking and the
government agents here tlatly refused
to discuss the matter today
Wilson Can Mean Only War.
Berlin, Mar. 6-Failure of the
United States Senate TO pass the
armed ship bill, has only postponed
a crisis in the relations between Ger
many and the United States that is
inevitable, II is held here.
The Berlin press believing that
President Wilson has decided to force
the war issue, is of the opinion that
he will proceed to arm ships regard.
less of the Senate's action, The ma
jority of the newspapers believe that
President Wilson would have with.
held from the public revelations of the
German pilot" to induce Japan and
Mexico to make war on the United
States had he any hope OF continual
ton of friendly relations between the
two countries.
Lawful TO Arm, Ships.
Washington March 6-~American
merchant vessels may be armed by
the end of this week Attorney Gen
eral Gregory has completed his re-
port on the question Of presidential
authority to take that step TIE re-
port was before the cabinet this af'
ternoon, No advance inkling OF Its