South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-03-05
Presidents Statement

WASHINGTON Mar. 5-Folowng the failure of the SEN
se to pass the armed neutrality BILL Prest Wilson issued the
Following statement
The Termination OF the last session of the sxyfourh con-
greSS by constitutional limitation discloses situation unpaal
eed in the history of the country perhaps unparalleled in the
history any modern government In the immediate presence
Of crisis aught with subtle and far reaching possbi-
ties Of national danger than any other the government has
known within the whole history of its international relations
the congress has been unable either safeguard the
country vndica the elementary rights Of its citizens
More than five hundred OF the five hundred hy-one
hers OF the houses ready the
house of representatives had acted by overwhelming
orty but the unable because little group
Of eleven senator's had determined that it should not
The senate has rules by which debate can be limited
brought end rules by which daory tactics Of any
kind he prevented single member the way
of action he have but the physical endurance The result in
this complete paralysis alike of the legislation
the executive branches of the government
This inability
most necessary legislation of the session impossible at time
when the need for pressing and evident The
bill which would have permitted combinations capital
and of organization in the export and import trade of the
try the circumstances of International competition
Imperative bill which the business judgment of the whole
country approved and demanded-has failed
'The opposition of senators has made impoS-
bic increase the membership interstate commerce
commission give the altered organization necessary its
efficiency. The
for immediate the mineral resources which still locked
up the public lands that their release impera-
lively necessary than ever and the bill which would
power country Immediately
available for industry have both failed though they have
under consideration throughout the sessions of two congresses
and have been twice passed by representatives
The appropriations for the army have failed along with the
appropriations for the civil establishment the government
the appropriations for the military academy West Point and
the general deficiency bill has proved impossible
the powers the shipping board the special
the situation into which country has been
forced increase the gold of national banking
the unusual circumstances the existing
cial situation
at would not the difficulty to call the Sxty-fh
greSS in extraordinary session The paralysis of the senate
would remain The purpose and the spirit of action not
lacking The congress definitely united in thought
and purpose at this moment venture say than has been
within the memory of any in its membership There
not only The most united patriotic purpose but the objects
members have view perfectly clear and definite But the
senate cannot act unless its leaders obtain unanimous
Its majority powere helpless. In the midst of
crisis of extraordinary peril when only definite and decided
ton make the nation safe shield from war; itself by
aggression of Others action is impossible
although matter of fact the nation and the representa-
ves executive with unprece-
denied unanmy and spirit the impression made abroad will
be that not and that other governments may
they please without fear that this government do
anything at ALL We cannot explain The situation incedi
BILE
The of the United States the only legislative body
in world which when its majority ready
ton little group of will men, representing opinion but
their have rendered the great of the United
States helpless and contemplate
'The remedy? There but remedy. The only remedy
that the rules of the senate shall be altered that
The country be relied upon to draw the moral believe
that the senate be relied supply the of action
and the country from disaster"