The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-03-07
Minnesota Man, Paul L.
Scharfenberg, Sentenced
To 5 Years in Prison
EXTRA SESSION BE
CALLED IN JUNE
Right Of President To Arm
Ships Is Not Yet Es-
tablished
q AssocIArEn PRESS.


the First Minnesota Infantry, return |
ing today from the border, announced
that Private Paul L. Scharfenberg'
had been sentenced to five years at
Fort Leavenworth prison by a court
martial at San Antonio for furnishing
military information to Germany. Of
ficers say letter to Scharfenberg
relatives in Germany, asserting that
10000, 900 Germans in this country
were ready to rise against government
in the event of war with Germany, in
tercepted by the British and turned
over to the United States. Officers
say the letter predicted President
Wilson would "soon be put out of our
way"
President Denounces Clique.
Washington, March president
Wilson at the White House luncheon
to members of the democratic nation
al committee today, said he was
''mad" over the attitude of little
group of senators who held up the
armed neutrality bill, and indicated he
hoped for bettar results, if he tried
again to secure its passage.
Right to Arm Ships.
Washington, March 6.-No final de-
cision on whether the president has
the authority to arm American mer-
chantmen without congressional ac-
ton has been made. Authoritative
intimations are given that the presi-
dent is seeking way to take the step
on his own responsibility, but he
would act only after mature delibera-
ton. The president conferred with
Lansing and Daniels, but the cabinet
meeting was cancelled and in some
quarters it is believed no announce
ment will be made before Friday.
Senator Lodge attempted to intro
duce today the armed neutrality bill,
Blu was prevented by point of order.
The senate could not consider it be-
cause the house was not sitting.
Senate sittings were enlivened by
speeches by Vardaman and Kenyon,
who said they were not in completely
to prevent a vote on the bill. John
Sharp Williams replied, saying the
president was right in his criticism
of a few senators who killed the bill
News received from New York said
O'Gorman denied participation in the
filibuster and had taken up only five
minutes of the time during the three
days session.
Cloture Agitation Grows.
Washington, March 6-Modificatior
of the senate rules to prevent fill
busters was agreed on tonight by q
conference committee of republicans
and democrats named by party eau
cuses. The proposed change gives
two-thirds the senators the power tt
shut off dilatory tactics. A resolu-
!, ton embodying the change viii bt
presented the senate for action a.
soon as possible.
Leaders championing the chang'
expect the resolution to receive the
necessary caucus endorsement. Vic,
President Marshall virtually serveC
notice he would not be a party to {
rules fight in declaring the constitu
ton made it plain that the vice presi
dent has nothing to do with the rules
except to see they are enforced.
Both caucuses had the usual pres
sure of business. The democrats elect
ed Salisbury president protempore
Senator Martin, floor leader. Senate
Borah, one of the republican con
ferees, pointed out that the rule woult
be seldom invoked and then only t
prevent the defeat of legislation by
few men. This is expected to Undue
.southern democrats who always fear
force bill if cloture was possibl
With republicans in control, not to op
pose the change.
Extra Session in June.
Washington, March 6.--An extr
session of congress not later tina
June is generally conceded among OF
ficials here to be assured, althoug
the president has not given definii
indication he had abandoned the hor
that an extra session might be avoid
ed. Congressman and officials d.
clare congress must come back