The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-03-03
ELEC7R|F|ED, :
|N1G::I5 5.c1|ON
SS
Congress R. = for Armed
Neutrality When Ger
man ~ .ssion is
Received.
ALL FACTIONS UNITED
Senator La Toilette 10 Great Unknown
Quantity, But Not Expected
to Hold Out Any
Longer.
[By Robert J. Bender. United Press

Staff Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, March 3.-Ger-
many's unabashed acknowledgements
today Of conspiracy to align Japan
and Mexico for invasion Of the United
States appears to have removed the
last vestige of opposition in the SEN
ate to the armed neutrality bill.
First news of the Berlin admis-
sion was conveyed to the senate IN
United Press dispatches, read into
the record at the request OF Senator
Brandegee. They created profound
on senators. being re-read
by unanimous request.
II made absolutely certain that
before midnight President Wilson
will have the fullest authority OF con-
eress to arm American merchantmen
against submarine attacks and up
hold American rights at sea through
other instrumentalities"
Republicans amazed at what some
called "bYazen'' admission from Ber-
lin. announced the measure would
have their ungrudging support.
- Senator LaFollette @loomed up AZ
the great unknown quantity.
: Up to nooh, he had maintained an
ominous silence. Republicans and
democrats alike were in the dark as
to his Intentions.
"Of course, if LaFollette wants
to-" one leader said. "he can defeat
the bill. A roll call will be demand
ed, and it is question whether he
will undertake to go on record before
the country as refusing to uphold the
presidents hands in this crisis"
Senator Brandegee, Connecticut,
opened the debate on the bill at the
close of the morning routine, urging
unison Of all factions in a face about
against Germany. He declared war
should Immediately result If Germany
should sink another American ship
after armfng by the government.
'Tf another Of our vessels is sunk
after this action by the congress,
then there would be war if this coun-
try Is fit to live" shouted Brande-
gee. ''The president says ships
should be armed If it becomes neces-
sary. Great God, Mr.. President, isn't
1t necessary If we keep to the seas
at all?
won't you stand up and fight like
men, or will you lie on your backs?
"Shall we sit supinely by and allow
the edict Of foreign potentate to
destroy American commerce?
Must we wait until the slaughte er
actually comes?"
It. is timidity, as the president says,
for our merchantmen to hug the
shores, Brandegee continued. 1t would
be manslaughter, however. for them to
leave without being armed against the
homicidal maniacs now securing the
seas.
Germany is even now waging a
war against us and we hesitate to de-
fend ourselves.
81 am willing today to vote this au-
thority to the president and further di-
rect him to use any means necessary
to bring this state of war to a success
full end.
Senator Fall, New Mexico, followed
Brandegee, stating that the passage OF
the bill would be a virtual declaration
Of war.
"The president knows that if con-
gress passes this bill. it amounts to a
declaration of unlimited war"
Asked by Senator Reed, Missouri,
the attitude OF congress as to decla-
ration of actual war, Fall retorted:
Congress would declare war in fif-
teen minutes if necessary. The gen
arming of merchantmen would lay the
country open to actual war, but that
IF it must come after Americas un-
questioned patience, then let It come.
'rIf an American ship is now sunk, "
Senator Brandegee said, "or in view
of the German attitude, II one OF our
armed ships sinks an approaching sub
marine war will come"
There is far more safety In an un.
flinching course now than in an uncer-
tain one" Senator Hitchcock declar-
ed. Senator Fall declared it would be
q public calamity for congress to re-
main in session during the next two
months, and held that the duty to pro-
tect American rights is manifestly
vested in the executive branch
Chicago brokers are settling up
bool, +o~ar duo tha fe5era1 poyarT.