The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-03-07

Oficers and directors for about
half Of the banks have been named
and the work of setting up the organ
ization Of the new system is we'll
under way.
war had furnished 1t the senate and
the country should know 1t and pro-
posed an amendment embodying the
question.
During the long debate Senator
Hoke Smith made a suggestion the
Importance Of which was promptly
recognized and which served to over
come the doubts Of many senators as
to the propriety of questioning the
president in regard to so grave a mat
ter on which he had not seen fit to
communicate voluntarily. The Geor-
gia senator pointed out that for the
executive on his own initiative to send
such q document as the Zimmerman
note might be construed as re-
quest for action, whereas he prob
ably would be gratified to have it In
the senate's hands at It's own re-
quest. The senator offered the fol-
lowing as a substitute for the resolu-
ton and amendment:
Resolved, That the president be re-
quested to furnish to the senate what
ever information he had concerning
the note published In the press of this
date purporting to have been sent
January 10, 1917. by the German for
eign secretary to the German ambas-
sador to Mexico which In his opinion
Ia not incompatible with the public
interest"
Senator Hitchcock. speaking for the
committee. declared that to ask the
presidents opinion and then cross ex.
anime him as the Stone amendmen
proposed would be an affront.
He read from the presidents last
address to congress expressing his de.
sire to keep out of the European con-
Met to show that he was averse to
any step that will lead the country
unnecessarily to war.
"This solemn statement of the pres
ident." said Senator Hitchcock, "was
made to as only few days ago and
I feel justified in saying it was made
after the note now in controversy
came to the attention Of the pres
ident."
IF IL Is true that this note came
from one Of the belligerents, should
not that fact be called to the atten-
tion Of the country?" asked Senator
Hardwick.
mo-" Senator Hitchcock answered
Il simply think we ought to ask the
president for a definite statement of
his opinion regarding Its authenticity."
"But the material fact to US and
this country is whether some one
who is interested in getting us into
war has given the note to U.S." insisted
senator HardWtck.
"Not at this STAGE" replied sena-
tor Hitchcock. "If we were to decide
for peace or war 1t might be but we
are not.
To an assertion by Senator Hard
wick that the public mind has become
infiamed by publication Of the note,
Senator Hitchcock said:
If the president feels that the pub
lie mind II not to be infiamed he
will take the proper steps in send
Ing the senate his information to re-
duce It."
Senator Kirby read a newspaper
story that the administration was con-
vinced publication of the note would
influence congress to pass the armed
bill.
This newspaper statement Is not
said Senator Hitchock.
There may come a time when +.
might be desirable to invest gate this |
note further. but now the people want
10 know only II II Is authentic.
Senator Williams urged "cool an"
dispassionate" consideration. 'If the
letter Is authentic" nc
'aid. 1T must have come from the