The Washington times., 1917-04-04
TWO. VOTE AGAINST
WAR RESOLUTION
Congressman ShackeIford and
Cooper Object to Singing
Out Germany.

BY almost unanimous vote the
House Committee on Foreign Affairs
reported to the House today the SEN
ate war resolution as perfected by
the Foreign Relations Committee OF
the upper chamber yesterday.
Congressman Cooper of Wisconsin,
ranking Republican member of the
House committee, and Congressman
Shackelford, a Missouri pacifist, were
the only members to vote against re-
porting the Administrations war res
olution.
The opposition in committee of Mr..
Cooper was predicated on the theory
that the British blockade was respon-
sible for present conditions, and that
Germany should not be singled out
for a declaration of war.
shaekeIford Explains.
Congressman Shackelford made the
following explanation Of his course:
"I believe that both England and
Germany have on numerous occasions
agrantly violated our rights. and
that there is abundant Justification
for us to make war. am one Of
those who believe that Congress
should never put us into war unless
II would be to preserve our best in
terests. While we have abundant
Justification 70 rmaking war on Ger
many, 1 can see no profit that would
come to US from IL, and think 1t
would be a wiser policy to pass over
these wrongs for the present and re-
quire reparation from them after the
struggle Is over.
'Tt is bound to cost US many lives
and billions of money. There Is no
doubt but that we shall be victorious
IL we go into the war. but can see
for our country no fruit from such a
victory"
when Mr.. shhackeIford was asked
IL he intended to vote against the war
resolution on the floor OF the House
he said:
"I rather think I shall"
With the exception of Messrs.
Cooper and Shackelford all members
OF the Foreign Affairs Committee
who were present today voted for the
resolution. There are two vacancies
on the cimmittee, and this made the
vote II to for favorable report on
the Senate resolution.
Not more than a day of debate is
expected on the resolution. It's pas
sage by an overwhelming majority is
expected in the House tomorrow
night. The House probably will con-
vene at 10 o'colck tomorrow to get
an early start up the war-making
day.
Expect Slight Opposition.
Democratic leaders do not expect that
more than score Of House members
will oppose the war resolution. The
opposition to the armed neutrality"
bill in the closing days Of the last ses-
sion, when thirteen House members op-
posed the Administration bill, Is be-
lieved to constitute about all the nu-
merical opposition to the pending and
more important measure. Congressmen
Cooper and Shackelford were Of the
thirteen who opposed armed neutral
ity."
Even while the committee was con-
sidering the Martin resolution paci-
fists were trying to stop the declara-
tion of war. James Eads How, 'shobo
millionaire" sent in a suggestion to
the committee by Congressman Shack
leford, asking President Wilson to get
in 'closer touch" with Austrians and
Germans with a view of suggesting
to them the establishment OF a more
responsible democratic form OF gov
ernment." He did not suggest how the
Government could effect the "closer
touch"
Reserve Right to Object.
There is no possibility of even a
limited flibuster in the House such
as could be engineered in the Senate.
The House Is governed by rules un-
der which debate may be stopped en-
tirely and the members required to
vote on a bilI' at any time.
These rules will not be resorted to
unless a fight develops.
House leaders will try to get the
resolution UP by unanimous conSent.
Chairman Flood, of the Foreign Az
fairs Committee, as soon as the
House met, announced on the floor the
committees favorable action. He
asked unanimous consent that the
House meet at 10 o'clock tomorrow
and vote on the bill before adjourn
ment.
Members on both sides, afraid they
might not be able to air their views
OF the bill, reserved the right to OBJ
ject. The House commenced to dis
cuss the question.
The House. under unanimous con-
sent, took up at 12:45 p. m. the sun
dry civil bill carrying appropriations
of $13s,000,0 900, many or them pre-
parednsss measures.