New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-04
Stones Aid Gives Filibus-
ter Group Chance to
Succeed
Petition Circulated
To Show Majority
Little Chance Of Vote on
Arming Ships Before
Adjournment

Washington. March 3.-A little
coterie of pro-Germans and pacifists
used their lungs to, the limit to-day
and tonight in the United States
Senate, and late tonight seemed
likely to prevent, for the time at
least, any protection of American
rights which might by any possi-
bility lead to war. With the hour Of
final adjournment fixed by law at
noon Sunday, there seemed but little
hope, under the rules of endless de-
bate permitted in the Senate, that a
vote on the resolution authorizing
American merchant ships to arm in
defence against submarines, and per-
hitting the President to supply them
with arms, could be reached before
the present Congress dies.
Petition Is Circulated
Fearing that the talkfest could not
be checked. and would prevent the
bill ever coming to vote despite the
tremendous majority IN favor Of it,
Senator'S favoring the measure late
tonight started petition around
the Senate, from man to man, stat
ing the approval of the signers to the
bill, and their belief that if it had
not been for the iilibuster the meas.
ure would have passed.
The manifesto. which by midnight
had been signed by more than fifty
Senators, and, il was predicted,
would be signed by 30 per cent Of the Z
entire Senate, is IS follows:
Theundersigned United States
Senators favor the passage of
Senate bill S,322, to authorize
the President of the United
States to arm American mer-
chant vessels. A similar bill al
ready has passed the House Of
Representatives by vote of 403
to l3. Under the rules of the
Senate allowing unlimited de-
bate it now appears to be i'm
possible TO obtain a vote prior
to noon, March a, 1917, when the
session of Congress expires.
We desire this statement en-
tered in the record to establish
the fact that the Senate favors
the legislation, and would pass it
if a vote could be obtained.
The idea of this memorial was to
show to the world, and especially to
Germany and other belligerents, that
it was only the endless debate per-
mitted under the rules Of the Senate
which prevented the Overwhelming
grant Of authority to American mer-
chant ships TO arm and defend them
selves against unlawful attack, and
also authorizing the President TO
arm American merchant ships.
May Force Show Of Hands
1t is probable that if the filibuster
should continue until noon to-mor-
row, some Senator friendly to the
bill will move to lay it on the table.
This will force a vote Immediately,
and will show a majority favoring
the bill which it might have received
il the Senate could use cloture.
Democratic leaders appealed to the
Republicans to aid them in swinging
the little group into line, pleading
that in the present crisis failure Of
the bill would mean national dis
grace
For the most part, the Republican
leaders showed a willingness TO CO.
operate. As the debate proceeded
into the night, however, without any
tangible evidence Of a break in the
opposition, the Administration Sena-
tors grew more and more dubious
about the prospect.
The embarrassment Of the Demo-
Gratis was increased By a dramatic
speech by Senator Stone. chairman Of
the Foreign Relations Committee, op-
posing the bill as war measure.
Stone Aids Filibus;er
In fact. il was Stone who really as
sured the success OF the flibuster.
For over four hours to-day he held the
floor in a passionate plea against the
bill supported not only By the Presi-
dent, but sweeping majority OF Mr..
Stones own committee. This use OF
time made IL easier for the group OF
pacihsts. headed by La Toilette, Of Wis
consin. 20 talk the measure TO death
should they finally determine 10 do so,
as apparently they have.
Behind NJ. La Toilette in his desire
to beat the bill are Senators Norris,
Of Nebraska. and Gronns. of North Ds-
sota. while Senator Cummings desire
to- "tborouUh discugsion counlcd