The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-03-02
PROSPECTS TODAY THERE
WOULD BE EXTRA SESSION
President Does Not Like Changes That
Have Been Made in Bill Empower.
ing Him to Arm Merchant Ships;
Cutting Out of "0ther Instrument
aIities' Is in Opposition to His Ideas
Of How to Handle Proposition
ASSOCIATED Press pispatch.l

ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch.l
Washington, February 28.-That the
senate will take no action on the
armed neutrality bill until the house
passes the measure was practically
assured today after conference be-
tween Senator Stone and Republican
House Leader Mann.
Washington, February 28.-Th
situation in congress fell into a tan
gle again today, and the prospects
that there would be no extra session
were not so promising as they were
last night.
The house foreign affairs commit
tee reported bill to empower the
president to protect American rights
against the German submarine men
ace, but with changes which are un-
welcome to the administration. 1t de-
clined to make provision for the
president to use "other instrumental
ties" which he desires and prohibited
giving the government war insurance
to munition ships.
The bill reported yesterday by the
senate committee is practically agree
able to the president. The measures
may be reconciled in some way, al
though the president has given no.
tice that he expects no material
changes.
Prospects of republican filibuster
loomed up again in the senate. SEN
ators who began to insist upon a
''free and full' discussion of all
openly assert their reason
is to force an extra session of con-
gress.
Next Move Up to Congress.
Washington, Feb, 2S.-America's
answer to the German submarine
campaign Of ruthlessness waits on
congress.
After President Wilson and mem.
bers of his cabinet had considered
the latest reports of the unwarned at
tack on the liner L4aconia, resulting in
the loss of American lives, it was de-
cided to await action on the bills to
empower the president to arm Ameri-
can ships before further steps are
taken by Mr.. Wilson.
Two measures, agreeing in almost
every particular with the request of
the president as announced to con-
gress, are before that body.
The senate foreign relations body
reported out the bill by divided vote.
Further action on it was blocked by
Senator La Toilette, who objected to
its reference again to the committee.
Under the unanimous consent rule
it cannot come up again until Thurs
day.
The house is waiting the action of
the senate, but is reasonably certain
to meet the wishes of the president.
Action Can Be Forced.
Action under a special rule in that
body can be forced at any time by
administration leaders should such a
course become necessary.
In the senate, too, administration
spokesman profess confidence there
will be no denying the president the
full authority he asked.
An attempt by Representative Por-
ter, Pennsylvania, to amend the house
committees bill so that ships carry
ing munitions or contraband could
not be armed caused the division of
sentiment in the house committee.
Chairman Flood learned that the
president would not consent to amend
ment and the bill was reported in Its
original terms.
The senate committee voted to-
strike from the original bill the
words SHOULD it in his judgment be-
come necessary for him to do So" re.
ferring to the power to arm ships.
An amendment to direct" the pres
ident to take this action was rejected
by the committee.
Senator La Toilette, whose objection
blocked consideration of the bill, said
that he wishes to study the measure
thoroughly before he decides on his
action.