The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-27

Secretary McAdoo conferred with the leaders who will have to do with authorizing the bond issue and Post master General Burleson, who looks after lining up administration forces in the House, was active in confer ences. The result was the introduce tion of a bill. which was referred to the foreign affairs committee, to be reported to the House tomorrow, and meeting of the Senate foreign re- lations committee to discuss a sim liar measure.
 Tomorrow. perhaps, or the next day at the least, will develop the depth and breadth of the opposition that the President must face in order, as Sen ator Williams recently expressed it, "to unfool Germany"
 The most serious concern of the Presidents friends Is that out of the situation an impression may go abroad, as on previous occasions, that the united force of Congress does not stand behind him.
 The armed neutrality which the President proposes does not look to war; whether it shall become war depends upon those who infringe upon the rights it seeks to protect. There is ample historical precedent for it. Northern Europe under the leadershi D of Russia formed league and used it to protect it's commerce in the wars between England and France and France and Spain.
 Although the President. when he severed diplomatic relations with Ger many. invited other neutrals to follow his lead. he has not so far as is known suggested that neutrals join the United States in the armed neu- trality he proposes All foreign gov ernments. however. have been official ly advised of his address to Congress today and official copies have been delivered to their diplomats here. By wireless, the text was sent to Ber- lin.
 PRECEDENT BY ADAMS
 The precedents set by John Adams to protect the commerce of the United States against the "predatory violence" of France during the Ma poleonic wars draw a striking parallel to the situation which confronts Pres ident Wilson. Congress authorized Adams to protect American ships and lives at sea by armed force and to raise an army.
 Now, as then. Congress is asked to empower the President to act as may become necessary. Every confidence is expressed at the White House that Congress ultimately will act as the President asks taking into account his efforts of more thNs two years to preserve peace as sufficient evidence that he does not desire to plunge the country into war.
 No steps toward the arn1ing of mer- chant ships are to be taken until Con- gress acts. The conveying of mer- [ chantmen is not approved by naval authorities as an effective or desirable strategic policy.
 One collateral feature has not been wholly cleared up Efforts to have President Wilson call a conference of neutrals to formulate some uniform declaration of the rights of Americans not at war are going steadily forward and there are indications that they are favored in administration quarters. Suggestions to this effect have come from more than one of the European neutrals since diplomatic breaks with Germany were severed. Secretary Lansing, who has been away for a three-day stay at White Sulphur Springs, w. Va. is to return tomorrow and it is possible that some developments may follow. There is no official ground for statement that he has been at work on something for the President. but the impression prevails that he has.