The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-03-07
Il, r. RI. SARTWEIIII4.
International News Service Staff
(lprrS,Suntpu<1cnt

" dSHinGlon, March b.-InS Gaining
of an extraordinary session Of the
sixty hfth congress tonight doomed up
as a possible solution of the difficult
problem confronting President Wilson
in his efforts to arm American mer-
chant ships and protect American
rights at sea in the face OF the Ger
man submarine campaign.
With the executive power of the
president to arm ships still In aues-
ton. the administration was encour-
aged by DEFINITE steps taken In the
senate toward a limitation of senate
debate which would clear the way for
Immediate action in an extra session
on the armed neutrality bill. which
fss.ed in the closing hours of the la-r
congress, In his denunciation of sen
ators who blocked the bill. the presi-
dent made II clear that the lack OF
limit on senate debate was the rea-
sons which prevented the calling of
an extra session to give him the power
he deemed necessary. He then said
clearly that the congress and tho
country favored veSting him with tho
| desired authority.
Tonight an expected statement as
10 the extent Of the powers of the
president under the constitution 70
arm merchant ships was withheld
/
closely the efforts of the senate 70
overthrow the tra1itlons OF century.
ana impose, some form Of cloture on
the un0er house Of congress. presj-
dent Wilson called off a cabinet meet
Ing which was expected TO say the
final word on his authority to arm
ships although an opinion on the sub
iect had been prepared by Attorney
General Gregory. and tonight the
White House said that no announces
ment was forthcoming on the sub
! ject,
Coturr Fight Makes Strides
Meantime the cloture fight had
made great strides A conviction
| that a fight to change the senate rules
WAS doomed 10 defeat changed TO an
apparent feeling that action II that
direction was extremely probable.
Roth Republicans and Democrats OF
! the senate met in caucus and discuss
ed the cloture question Each caucus
named committee to take Up the
subject, and tonight the committees
Joined in a bipartisan discussion Of
the international crisis (which con-
fronts the country and its relations IN
me senate rules.
Il think we will get somewhere"
said one member of the COMMITTEES
after tho conference. The discuss
sion was entirely informal. bu. con-.
tiitions look favorable
Bipartisan Committee
Senators James, Owen. Reed. roke
smith and Swanson, Democrats. and
Senators Lodge. Borah. Penro<e. Cum
minis and Brandegee. Republican,.
formed the Joint committee. They
will meet tomorrow and continue their
efforts 10 reach an agreement ON 4
form of modified rloture which will
be acceptable TO the rank and file OF
both parties in the senate. After the
discussion In both party caucusey to-
day. il was stated that clear ma
| ioritv OF the Democrats favored cIo-
tnre and that substantial minority
of the Republicans. led by Senator
Lodge. would support modihea
cloture proposal.
One suggestion forthcoming tonight,
after innumerable conferences 4n>ong
, sersts leaders. was that Limitations
On the debate designed only 70 meet
the present crisis might be adopted.
( Under this plan the. senate might
agree to impose cIoture Just long
en,5ttt1l ff prfs tfRrough the press<sefstsa.
armed neutrality bill at an extra ses-
sion, or might impose a cioturc rule
| to extend only until the beginning Of
1.-THE next regular session OF cougreAG
| This plan. II was stated. would nA49
| the present international emergency.
and at the Same time would not -