Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-05

i Ia thought and purpose at this mo-
ment. venture to say. than IL has been
within the memory OF any man now
IN tts membership. There Is not only
tho most united patriotic purpose. but
the objects members have in view are
perfectly clear and definite.
But tho Senate cannot act unless it's
leaders can obtain unanimous consent.
Its majority is powerless. helpless.
In the midst of crisis of extra
ordinary peril. when only definite and
decided action can make the nation
safe or shield it from war itself by
the aggression Of others, action is i'm
possible.
~ Although. as a matter OF fact. the
nation and the representatives OF tho
nation stand back OF the executive
with unanimity and spirit. the impress
sion made abroad will. Of course. DO
that II is not SO. and that other gov
ernmcnts may act rs they please
without fear that this government can
do anything at all,
ONLY EXPLANATION
SEEMS INCREDIBLE
I'VE cannot explain. The explana-
ton is Incredible.
The Senate of the United States is
the only legislative body in the world
which cannot act when its majority is
ready for action.
"A little group OF willful men, rep
resenting no opinion but their own,
have rendered the great government
OF the United States helpless and con-
temptible.
remedy. The only remedy is that the
nj Of hn IA han hn nj
that it can act. The country can be
relied upon to draw the moral. l be-
lieve that the Senate can be relied on
to supply the means of action and save
the country from disaster
At the same time. the President au-
thorized the further statement that
what rendered the situation even more
grave than ii had been supposed that
II was. was the discovery that, while
the President, under his general con-
stitutional power. would do much Of
what he had asked the Congress to
empower him TO do, it had been found
that there were certain old statutes
as yst unrcpealcd which may raise in
superablc practical obstacles and may
nullify his power.
The old law referred to by tho rresi-
dent was adopted by Congress III 1912.
and referred to the resistance Of Amer
lean merchantmen against the attacks
OF prirateers and pirates, but excluded
from vessels which might he SO at
tackled ~ public armed vessel of a
nation in amily with the United
States
Technically. Germany is not at war
with the United States. and subma-
rines public armed vessels Of
Germany.
STATEMENT FOLLOWS
WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE
The Presidents statement followed a
conference at tho White House be-
tween President Wilson. Secretary Nc
Adoo. Postmaster-G General Burlcson.
Colonel Il. NJ. House. Vance c.. McCor-
mick. chairman of the Democratic Ma
,ional Committee, and Secretary Tu-
multy.
The President referred TO the oppo-
sition group as containing eleven SEN
ators. whereas thirteen who had OPP
portuntty to do so failed to sign the
manifesto. Senator Pcnrose did not
sign. but said he would have voted for
the Fundamentally bill had oppor-
tunity been afforded. 1t was assumed
that the President had eliminated also
Senator Stone in his list, because Stone
announced he opposed the bill. but did
not oppose q vote.
The Senate has been called by the
President TO meet I'm special session
tomorrow in accordance with the GUS
toHi " SuCH ScSsiOHS ~ the
beginning of each administration to
4 install the Nice-Prcsident and confirm
nominations.
There has been discussion OF contin-
uinG the session this time to consider
changing the Senate rules. 4 per-
sstent fight has been waSed for years
for some form OF cloture. and opposi-
tion to II has dwindlcd. in spite OF
the powerful tendency TO resist any
tampering with traditions of the Son
ate. Debate there always has been
unlimited.