The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-01-27
CUMMIMS URGES
DEBATE ON PEACE
Senator From Iowa Demands Ex-
preston of Full Views on
Wilson Idea.
I0WAN OPPOSED BY STONE
Believed That President Was in Pos
session of Information, as Yet Un-
Disclosed, Which Led Him to
> Hope for Success.

Washington, Jan. 25.-After two
hours wrangling over President Will
sons peace speech on Monday, the SEN
ate failed to act ON Senator CumniAs'
resolution, and the measure went au-
tomatically to the calendar under the
rules. AS the parliamentary situation
now stands, peace debates will be
daily occurrence in the senate.
Washington, Jan. Ex-senator Cum
minis OF Iowa called up his resolution
providing for free-for-all debate of
the presidents peace speech in the
senate.
This touches probably the most
important matter that has ever come
before the senate of the United
States" said Senator Brandegee of
Connecticut. He Immediately asked
quorum call, insisting that all
senators should be in their seats to
hear of participate in the debate.
Il have no intention of speaking
at length on this resolution" said
Senator Cummins, after quorum had
been called. Il sincerely hope that
we may reach vote on it early. 1t
will be observed that the resolution
does not invite, nor even properly
permit, discussion of the sound
ness or the unsoundness of the prin-
ciples announced in the presidents
address.
The point at issue is this: Ought
the senate do the country justice and
render the president the respect Of
Expressing our views On the doctrine
to which he says he Is about to COM
NIT this government?
Greatest Words Ever Spoken.
Ills announcement is the most i'm
portant ever made by a chief execu-
tive of this nation. He so regards it,
the country so regards it, and the rest
OF the world so accepts it.
"The president came here frankly
and boldly to disclose to us the
thoughts and purposes in his mind.
Are we to sit here dumb, are we to
remain silent while the public is wait
ing to hear us speak?' have no .au-
thority to speak for the president,
but l am bound to say that those
who oppose the resolution are not
the presidents friends. 1t must be
that he expects the fullest and freest
debate. OF what value will our coun-
sci be IL we lock our lips? If there be
a senator who will vote against this
resolution ask him to reflect that such
a vote casts doubt on the courage or
sincerity of the president.
Doubts No Senator'S.
IF such senator believes the presi-
dent does lot want our counsel he be-
lieves the president merely selected the
senate as quorum from which to adj
dress the foreign nations and the news
papers. s,
Il hold no such doubts, but those
must be the thoughts of those think
ing of referring this resolution to the
foreign relations committee.
There is no information of which
I can conceive that can be furnished
by the committee on foreign rela-
tons. 5y}si,
"This is time which requires con-
scious speech, the proposal affecting as
1t does the happiness and wellbeing of
the entire world. ~
II understand the pressure of bust
ness and the desire to avoid an extra
session of congress, but no legisla-
ton pending or which may be pro-
posed is comparable in Importance to
this proposal of the president. The
future Of our nation, the integrity of
our society, are involved in this ques- 4
ton. I do not know how senator's
view the proposal. / have not a par
tisan tinge In discussing 1t. Sena-
tors will bear out the statement that I
support the president when I think
him right, and this is not partisan
"But the president is not alone
charged with the responsibility of our
foreign relations. We have voice
and should express it. do not think
the debate on my resolution will con-
sumo as much time as the chairman Of
the foreign relations committee fears.
/ think one or two days of faithful
work will suffice"
Stone Attacks Cummins.
Senator Stone, chairman Of the for
eign relations committee, took the floor
when Cummins concluded.
SIT is the opinion of the senator
from Iowa that anyone who opposes
this resolution is not true friend Of