New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-17
Senator Stone
Sees Press Cabal'
Plotting for War
Urges Law to Punish At
tempts to Influence Govern
ment by False Statements
fFrom The Tribune Bureau

Washington, Feb. 16.--A cabsl Of
great newspapers is trying to force
this country into war with Germany,
Senator William j. Stone, chairman OF
the Foreign :. Relations Committee
charged on the floor Of the Senate to-
day. Mr, Stone was speaking on the
neutrality measures sent to Congress
by the Department Of gustice.
There is no shadow of doubt IN
the mind Of any intelligent or fair
thinking man." said Senator Stone,
"that there is a cabal of great news
papers in this country which is seek
ing to create a condition to coerce the
government of the United States into
an attitude of hostility to one Of the
belligerent powers.
"Men who try unduly and BY false
statements to involve this country IN
the disasters of war are public enemies,
and the publication of bitter and ven
omous false statements, whether IN
tended to influence the action Of
foreign government or our own gov
ernment. ought to be curtailed, If not
prohibited as far as possible.
Borah Opposes Measure
while we are proposing to punish
man for making statements cal
culated. Il not intended, to influence
a foreign government with which We
have a d,sputatjvn. why should it not
bc made an offence for any man TO
make a statement under oath to in
Auence the government of the United
States und1ly9'
Senator Overman here interrupted
him to saw that he believed this to be
covered in another chapter of the
measure.
Senator Borsh said. however, that he
hoped il was nc: covered. What would
the Senator do" he asked, with these
editorials and periodicals which are ap-
bearing every day?
Whether It be an editorial or any
thing else" Senator Stone asserted, IF
IL is made intentionally for the Dur-
pose of influencing the action cf pub
lie officials of the United States when
the writer or publisher knows II 10 be
false he ough. TO be held 20 an ac-
couutability.'
"Take the case of the reported hold
ing Of our ambassador,' Senator
Smith. Of Michigan, interrupted; 1T
has been repeated over and over again
until great many people believe 1t
10 be true. do not know -hether
there - any foundation for IL or nOt.
II there il no foundation for II. u
certainly is a very great error on the
part Of some one
1T is worse than an error" Senator
Stone replied
Would Punish Them
Senator Smith then asked II the
Senator would reach this class Of Of
fenders?"
"Yes. ( would Ssnstor Stone re-
plisd, -!f they knew--mmd you, there
must be knowledge in IL or had res-
sonable cause TO believe. in the Ian
guage of tho bill, that It was false and
that they scattered q fslsehUod OF this
Kind broadcast over the land and
among the responsible officials OF the
government to influence the action Of
this governmsnt in its dealings with q
foreign coantry with which We have a
dispute. / think they ought also 10
he held aIneusble II the purpose Of the
false statement is 10 influence a for
eiCn government against us
Senators recalled tonight that the
wave OF fear ~hlch engulfed the House
Of Representatives year ago during
the armed chip controversy. which re-
suited in the President demanding a
vote on the McLemore resolution.
started after the visit OF Representa-
tive Shackleford, of Missouri. and sew
eral other members of tho House TO
Senator Stone. Stones visitors re-
turned 20 the House, saying that Stone,
who had just conferred with the Presi-
dent, thought Mr.. Wilson was leading
the country into war and that he was
not willing to follow the President.
DIR. BRUsHs KUMYsS. A health s.yinE
drink. Ask your doctor-Adyt