Grand Forks herald., 1917-03-02
INFORMATION OF THE
INTRIGUE WIDESPREAD.
BUT 1T IS GUARDED
Bill Authorizing President to
Arm Ships, Passed by House,
Up in Senate Late Today.
PARTY LINES ARE
SUDDENLY DROPPED
Bernstorff Had Word to Arrange
Dismantling of Ships Before
Break Came.

Washington, March Pass
ing of the first shock of yester-
days authenticated disclosure
that Germany plotted to incite
Mexico and Japan to war against
the United States found govern
ment agencies today more close
ly united in spirit against threat
ened danger, and awaiting with
kcenest interest official state
ments from Mexico and Japan
defining their attitude. Officials
confidently looked for expressions
Of friendship from both and con-
sequent collapse of the German
intrigues.
Nevertheless preparations were
hurried along for whatever may
confront the nation. The bill au-
thorizing President Wilson to
arm ships and providing bond
issue of S100,00O,Ooo, passed by
the house late last night. by a
vote of 403 to IS, after ten hours
of enthusiastic debate. was in the
senate's hands and action was ex-
pected late today or tonight.
Expect Early Passage.
After the naval bill is disposed
of late TODAY, the senate plans to
take up the armed neutrality bill
and its early passage is believed
certain, unless Senator LaFollette
'1ilibusters, or unless the senate
substitutes its own bill which
would give the president the
power to use "other instrument
talities." not provided by the
house bill. to protect neutral
rights, and which does not con-
tain the house bills prohibition
against war risk insurance for
munition ships.
The sudden abandonment of
party lines and the apparent
wave of patriotism which swept
both houses during debate yes
terday developed one of the most
notable legislative situations in
years.
Other Information Guarded.
Officials today guarded other
information they NAV have con-
cerning the German intrigue. but
they indicated it was widespread.
1t now appears that Count Won
Bernstorf, the former German
ambassador, received instructions
from Berlin to arrange the dis
nantling of German ships in
American ports at the same time
he got the Zimmerman note for
transmission to Mexico City.
Wanted Naval Bill Displaced.
Washington. March 2.-when the
senate convened today Senator Stone
asked it to displace the naval bill, and
take up the armed neutrality bill.
Senator LaFollette delayed the pro-
Senator Stones motion prevailed by
a vote Of 64 to Is. and debate on tho
bill began. to be interrupted at noon.
however according to agreement for
consideration OF the naval appropria-
ton bill.
parliamentary situation, then.
however, prevented consideration Of
the bill and Senator Stone gave no.
tice that he would move to take it up
at 1 o'clock this afternoon after the
vote on the naval bill.
Gronna Against 1t.
The vote on the motion would not
be construed as test vote on the bill.
inasmuch as some senator's opposed
its consideration on the ground that
1t was a violation Of the spirit Of the
unanimous consent agreement cover
ing the naval bill. Among those who
voted mo" were Senator'S Clapp,
Gronna, LaFollette and Works.
In view Of that situation, there was
no discussion of the bill as only 4if-
teen minutes remained before the ma
val bill came up automatically. Sena-
tor Stone. then, asked unanimous con-
sent that it be taken up at o'clock
when the naval bill is out Of the way.
Senator Gronna objected and Senator
take up the neutrality bill again at
that hour.
BY q vote Of 46 to 20. the senate
adopted a committee amendment to
the naval bill authorizing establish.
ment Of a second navy yard on San
Francisco bay, with an initial approp.
Ration Of s1,5oo.ooo to acquire a site.
OLD WOMAN's PIE BRINGS