The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-02-03

throughout, the day was pre-
dicated on his belief that the
United States faces the most
serious crisis in its history. He
chose the course Of seeking the
advice of other men to compare
with his own opinions. The
overwhelming sentiment from
those he consulted was in favor
of a break in relations. Only the
time and method were questions
Of difference. But even after his
lono talk with senators he re-
turned 20 the White House TO
Give further consideration Of the
problem.
One Of the thoughts in the
minds of the President and his
advisers is that the action Of the
United States should be so unas-
sailabIe that it wiud guide other
neutrals.
President Wilson was boldly
told by most Of the fifteen Demo
cratic senators in conference
with him that the German deeIa-
ration was an affront to the
United States and the civilized
world, and that any other course
than an Immediate rupture OF
diplomatic relations would ne
viewed by the world as coward
ice"
Some. however, urged that Ger
many be notified Of definite
time at which diplomatic rela-
tions would be severed, and
few others urged that nothing be
done until Germany by some act
demonstrated her deliberate de.
Termination to affront the United
States.
All The senators assured Prest-
dent Wilson that Whatever course
he took would be sustained by,
unanimous Senate. Senators "ho'
conference, were Stone, Reed,
PheIan, Myers, overman, Rams
dell, Aoke Smith, Beckhana. Mar
dan1an, Pittman, Fletcher Porne-
rene, Walsh, Lewis and Johnson,
South Dakota.
That no Republican Senator's
attended the conference was due
entirely to the fact that the Pres,
ident did not reach the capitol
until the Senate had recesser,
and il was with difficulty that
paues and clerks reached those
who did attend. The President
sent for no one in particular.
While Senator Lodge, ranking
Republican member Of the For
elan Relations Committee, still
was in the Senate when the eres.
ident arrived, he did nor .;now OF
the purpose Of the conference,
and left the building.
Came for Light.
At the conclusion Of the con-
ference the President, the last to
leave, saw the newspaper eorre-
spondents and made a brief an
nouncement.
"Gentlemen," he said, "l just
came to swap views. ! wanted
liaht and came here to get it.
He was asked what would be
done and replied:
THAT depends on how feel In
the morning" Then he smiled,
and added: "Of course that re-
mark was only a JOKE He ad-
ed that there had been no su9-
gestion Of a joint session Of Con-
QFGSS ana IndI ne ltONSht Nv PeC-
Tic announcement would be made
tonight.
From inquiry among the sena-
tors present, the following facts
were established:
The President, frankly reVailing
the innermost details of the cris-
is, told the senators he had come
to feel the pulse Of the Senate and
thereby the pulse Of the people;
that he wished each man to speak
his mind frankly with the well
fare of the nation and cIVIiiza-
ton at heart.
At the conclusion each Senator.
shook the Presidents hand and as
sured him that whatever course he
took, whether in accord with their
own views or not he would bO
sustained by a unanimous oenare.
1.-THE President" said one Sena-
tor left US with the suggestion
of a nights reflection and of ae-
ton by word or deed before Mon-
day"