The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1917-02-22
PRESIDENT WANTS
MORE AUTHORITY
POWER NECESSARY TO PROPER
LY PROTECT AMERICANS AND
AMERICAN INTERESTS
NO BATTLESHIPS FOR EUROPE
NAVY OFFICER OPPOSES CON-
VOY FOR MERCHANT SHIPS
IN DANGER ZONE

I washington, FeD. 1S-PreSldent
Wilson was at work today on the mes
sage he expects to deliver to congress
when he appears before the houses
to seek further authority to protect
Americans and American ships from
the German submarine menace.
When the president will go to con-
gress is closely guarded secret at the
White House.
Although it has been remarked by
some of the executives advisers that
Mr.. Wilson might appear at the CAPT.
toll early this week, it was stated def
initely that the president has made
no plans so far for going before the
lawmakers.
1t was denied that he still is con-
sidering the advisability of such step
but in some quarters it was believed
possible that he might conclude not to
go to congress cat present"
Although officials maintain reti-
cence, there has been an unmistakable
lessening of the tension within the last
two or three days.
The president IN the message he is
preparing for use in the event he does
go to the capitol, is said to desire the
following by congress:
Express authorization to en-
ploy the armed forces and all
other power and resources of the
nation to procure and maintain
! the safety of Americans and
ships from molestation by any
| belligerent upon the high seas.
Authorization to commander
American merchantmen for naval
| uses. Fts
Enactment Of the proposed law
authorizing the president to direct
the operations of the railroads for
military purposes and to draft
railroad employees into the ser
vice of the United States for this
purpose. rs
| Provision of an emergency fund
oftlarge proportions, probably by
| bond issue, to be expended by the
executive in whatever manner is
| deemed necessary to effect the de-
sired measures of protection.
1t is not unlikely that the president
would make his appearance before
congress the occasion for announcing
a severance of diplomatic relations
with Austria-Hungary.
The administration sees little hone
of inducing Austria to withdraw from
participation in the campaign of ruth
| Loco C,,h7,o o J.iTa yrorforo
It is not necessary for the president
to obtain authority from congress to
protect Americans abroad, for that is
his constitutional duty. Mr.. Wilson
however, has demonstrated that he is
averse to using the armed forces #
the nation for this purpose without the
backing of congress.
He asked such authority when he p
tackled Huorta at Vera Cruz, although
he ordered the landing of marines on
Mexican soil before the authority was
voted. Likewise, he obtained con-
gressional authority for the "punitivc"
expeditions invasion of Mexico laet
March, although he did not direc+'y
ask it, and acted before it was gra~t'd.
To obtain an emergency fund, power
to commander ships, and military
control of railroads the action of con-
gress is necessary.
It is doubtful that the president
plans to indicate to congress precisely
what measures of protection he COR
templates adopting, although it IS
known that he has instructed the
navy department to prepare for TIE
arming of American merchantmen to
repel the submarines. What he werts
| is blanket authority to do whatever ne
deems advisable a. what ever time ne
elects to act.
These authorizations by CONGRESS
| may be sought by the president on the
| Ground that, after congress adJourns
March a, the hands of the executive
will be tied unless broad powers are
granted to him. Mr.. Wilson has c"ll-
ed the attention of administration
leaders in congress to the delav that
W uld ensue if he were compelled to
call an extraordinary session OF tee
new congress and await its organize
ton.
If the proposition of arming Amer
ican ships at once were submitted nv
the president to congress now q mark
Fed division of opinion in both houses
would be disclosed.
In order, therefore, to dissrm tire
opposition the president plans to base
his request for further authority on
the argument that congress must pro-
lCentinuea q Pare D