Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-03-09
ARMED SHIP BILL
WINS IN HOUSE
EMPOWERS THE PRESIDENT TO
PUT GUNS ON VESSELS.
RECEIVES VOTE OF 4O3 TO 13
Republican Leader Mann AppIauded
by Members When He Declares
He Will Vote For Measure
Asked For BY Wilson.

Washington, March "A bill to enS-
power the president to arm merchant
ships, but not extending the authority
he requested to use "other insarumen-
talities," in defending American rights
against the submarine menace, was
passed by the house last night by
vote of 4O3 to 13.
The debate on the measure was long
and spirited, lasting great part of
the day and well into the evening.
Most Of the representatives who have
been opposing the administration
voted for the bill.
1t became known authoritatively
that the president indorses the senate
bill, which includes the "other instru-
mentalities" clause and carries no in
surance prohibition for ammunition
vessels. The administration plan is to
substitute the senate bill for the house
bill, and try to force the lower body
to accept the change.
Flood Cites Precedents.
At the outset of the debate Chair
man Flood aroused intense enthu-
siasm on both sides. Every reference
to Americas willingness to protect
the rights of citizens wherever they
had a right to travel was met with .
volley Of applause.
He cited that authority for the
president to act as suggested in the
bill had been granted to other execu-
tives in 1894, 1898, 1905, 1915, 1889 and
1855, and, incidentally, attacked the
pacifists protesting against the bill.
''In 1885," he continued, conditions
were much as they are today. Eng
land and France were at war and
France was preying on commerce as
Germany is today. Many people in
this country at that time said our
rights should not be upheld and that
to uphold them would lead to war
with France. We gave the president
the power, our commerce was pro-
tected, our honor vindicated and war
was averted.
'By this act" said Representative
| Flood, "we may not be able to avert
war. If we should become involved
in war, however, the passage of this
bill would be one of the minor causes
of that direful result.
TT may be necessary only to arm
ships, but if we must do more, thu
fault is not ours. Give the presiden
this power asked, and the question O
war will be with Germany. There Il
no doubt of the right Of Americans Il
travel, and we should uphold thos
rights peacefully. If that cannot b.
done, then we will do it with arms.
'f Germany were conducting thi
war with the instincts of humanit
we might take our chances. 1 car
not understand how this bill can fal
to pass. 1t is question of America
rights, and when such questio
arises in this house there are no part
lines"
Applause for Mann.
! Applause even far greater than tha
which greeted Representative Flood
opening statement met Republica
Leader Mann's rousing speech in fs
vor of the bill. Few men on eithe
side Of the chamber failed to respon
by handclapping or cheers.
"It is well known" Representativ
Mann said, "that I have done an
will do everything in my power t
keep this country out of the Eurc
pean war and the peace settlemer
that is certain to follow it's ent
But do not see how 1t is possibl
for a patriotic nation to refuse to Civ
the president, at the time of this crisi
power which he asks and which
provided for in the pending biH.'
"When the time comes that our shiI
shall be assaulted and the limit of OIL
patient bearing Of insults or destru
ton that may be heaped upon us
passed, it becomes the duty of a gre,
or small government to defend 1
rights upon the sea-"
kitchin Gives Approval.
Democratic Leader Ktchin, one
the so-called pacif1st group, announce
amid great applause that he wou
vote for the bill.
Representative Focht, Republican,
Pennsylvania leaped to his feet ar
demanded what Gardner thought abo1
protecting munitions ships. Mr.. Gar
ner replied that even Germany had a
mitted Americas right to supply Il
allies with munitions. t
s'That is nothing short Of insanity
Numbered Focht. 1.-THE American De
pie won't stand for it"
"German-Americans," Gardner pr
!, dicted by way of reply, would stand b
hind the president in support of Il
, bill.
Representative Stedman of Nor
Carolina, confederate veteran al
one of the oldest representatives, mat
an appeal to patriotism.
? '.The house ought to send me
sage to all nations" he declared, "th
). it will protect its rights, the lives
q its people and the American flag in i
pristine splendor wherever it may flo
Oynr land or Spa -