Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-05
FILlBUSTER DEPRIVIN6 HIM
OF POWER ASKED CAN
Be CIRCUMVENTED?
ASSA|LS SENATE MOVE
ADVISORS NOW SEEK OUT STAT
UTE THAT COVERS DELICATE
ISSUE IN HOPE OF FINDING
RULE COVERING PRESENT SIT.
UATION.

BY JOHN EDWIN NDvIN,
international News Service STAFF
Correspondent
Washington, D. c., Mar 5--Presi-
dent Wilson may yet be able to arm
American merchantmen despite the
decision that old laws dealing with
the protection of vessels against pi-
rates seems to deny him such author
ity without an enabling act by Con-
gress. Following the issuance by the
President last night of his statement
excoriating the Senate filibusters for
their action in blockading the armed
neutrality" legislation, several admin
istration advisors who are experts on
international law sent word to the
President that in their opinion, he ac-
tually can order the American vessels
armed. The President Immediately
called into consultation Secretary Of
State Lansing and Attorney General
Gregory.
This afternoon the Secretary and
Attorney General will examine the en-
tire list of statutes bearing on the
situation and will make final de-
cision for the benefit Of the President.
In this work they are to have the as
sistance of the most eminent authOri-
ties on international law in this cOun-
try. Should it finally be decided that
the President has the authority 1t Is
stated that orders will Immediately be
issued to arm the passenger and mail
carrying liners of the American line
50 that they can resume regular sail
ings.
Washington, D. c.. Mar. 5--"A little
group of wilfu men, representing no
; opinion but their own. have rendered
the great government of the United
States helpless and contemplate"
This declaration by President Wood
row Wilson made within few hours
} alter he had taken the oath as his own
successor in assailing the Senator's
who prevented passage Of the Armed
J neutrality BILL stood out today as the
greatest sensation in recent American
history 1t came as an electric shock
to the entire nation, coupled as it was
with the admission by the President
that he had been mistaken when he
! told the Congress that he had the
: power to arm merchant vessels for
: their own defense against German
| submarines II has complicated the
T. International situation so tar as the
, United States is concerned. Officials
l. Vho were endeavoring today to IND
/ cut what the next step viii be pro-
l. fessed themselves as completely pug
/ zled
n There were many open evidences OF
d deep resentment in certain quarters
II over the Presidents statement. Nat
e urally the Senators WHO were directly
essailed in the formal statement Is
S sued from the White House last night
II were bitter. They had company in
y a number of Senators and Representa-
e tiyes who had fought their hardest to
l. secure for the President the legisla
y ton that he had asked. Their position
s was that had the President taken the
r country into his confidence, even as
+ late as last Saturday, AID frankly ad-
e mitted that the ancient laws OF the
Il nation bound his hands and made IL
IS impossible for him to arm American
'r vessels public pressure would have
ID forced the opposition to permit vote
lg on the bin in the Senate.
r. No explanation was forthcoming as
s. to why this information was withheld
TT and as late as Saturday White House
OF and State Department officials were
asserting that no matter what the ac
ID ton of Congress, the President woulo
proceed with his program and would
u restore the American flag to the Al
It lantic. 1t was emphatlc3lly statec
n that the President had plenty OF power
VI to carry out this program Ana 1t was
g. with this belief in their minds tha'
'd Senators prepared the announcement
nj which was signed by an oyerNhelmiAs
0. majority Of the members OF the upper
II House that they would vote Ior the
it armed neutrality law had they beer
n. permitted the opportunity
ly Onicialdom generally was asking 10
ct day what could now be done Accept
of ing the Presidents words Tor VIVA
nd they seemed to mean II was agree'
m that the hands of the United states
az ,,or,ad tied nntil nm extra session q
he Congress should give the power q
Is ready requested.
nd But in this connection It seemed al
all parent that the President was stano