Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-02

action tomorrow. 1t is understood that
the President would like to cave it as
sured that the resolutions r pressed
would not be rejected. y
Senator Stone oDnight conferred with
Senator Hitchcock regarding the resolu-
ton now on the table and urged him TO
ask tomorrow that it lie over for a day
in order that there might be conference
of senators on both sides of the chamber
regarding it. When it was first proposed
Senator Borah of Idaho objected to it's
immediate consideration on the ground
that it was too important a matter to be
dealt with hastily. Whether the Idaho
senator would attempt to defeat its pas
sage could not be learned tonight. $,
Senator Stone frankly stated that he
was heartily in favor of adopting the res
olution and that friends of the President
generally believed that an official en-
dorsement of his action from the Senate
would be advisable. Senator Hitchcock
will confer with the chairman of the for
eign relations committee on the matter
again tomorrow morning before the SEN
ate meets. 1t will then be determined
whether to press for immediate action or
to permit another days delay
The President. 1T was learned, discussed
many phases of foreign problems with
Senator Stone, including the Mexican sit
uation.
During the day an explanation was OBJ
tanned from official sources of the xpre-
ciously mysterious clause in the mote
from Spain to the United Statessrefefring
to another communication from the
American government suggesting that the
time was opportune for Spa to cooper
ate with the United States.
It s&as-> learned authoritatively that
no tfote+ Fas sent To- neutral nations,
|k9t that 'iM forwarding copies of the
Presidents suggestion to, the bellig-
|erepts the State department sinstruct-
ed AMERICAN diplomats in the neutral
capitals to intimate tostheSovernments
to which they were accredited that in
case they were considering a move
similar to that.Tof the United States
the American government considered
the time optortune. .t
1t waA stated emphatically. that in
making this< move the United States
had no intention Sf urging neutral rra-
tons u act, or I'd set on foot a move
ment for ar. entente of neutral ma
tions.
!. FIN explanation of this point it was
stated that the primary purpose of the
Presidents note TO the belligerents was
to clear the atmosphere on the big
questions relating to the war and that
in this connection the American gov
eminent thought it would be helpful if
- o IF ya,Itto1S a we'll the
belIigerents were explained. 1t was re-
iterated that President Wilson and
Secretary Lansing did not Look upon
the American note. to the beHigerents
primarily as a peace note, although 1t
was hoped that it might aid in hasten
ing the end of the war. One reason for
interest in the attitude of other neu-
trails is the realization that While she
United States will act alone If it finds
it necessary to take any drastic action
in defense of it's rights, the other. neu-
trails also have suffered seriously. The
President believes, too. that after the
present war all nations should|Acom-
bine in some way to minimize the
chances of another such conflict. a
Administration officials are admittedly
concerned over efforts to make the action
of this government appear as directed
against the Entente Allies and in favor
of the Central Powers. They do not
think it necessary. however, to make any
further explanation. believing that ultl-
mately both sides will come to realize the
true purpose
While awaiting the reply of the Entente
Allies to the Presidents note the state
department is keeping in touch with Off
ciai sentiment both among the Entente
Allies and the Central Powers. AS soon
as the reply of the Entente is received.
President Wilson is expected to address
another communication to both sides
making clear his position and probably
clearing 10 some misconceptions which
he feels have developed
It may be stated he will not seek to
force peace on either side but will con-
tinue to insist that the rights of the
United States be thoroughly respected
In connection with the admittedly
serious concern with which the ADMIN
istration looks upon the submarine
question. much attention was PAID 70
officials Of press dispatches from Ber-
lin stating that a semi official news