The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-06
CONGRESS IS PREPARING
Still Hopeful for Peace, Get
Ready for Any Possible
Eventually


gan earnestly today. to pave the way
for legislation that may be demanded
by any development in the information
al crisis.
Still hopeful that the break with
Germany will not involve the United
States in war. leaders in both parties
recognized that preparations shouM
rot be delayed and there was unusual
activity in the naval, military and rev.
enue committees. while the Judiciary
committee OF the senate worked all
f:,y on measures relatingssto con-
spiracies against the government.
The senate MS the CO. ordinate,branch
of the government having to do with
foreign relations prepared to give its
official sanction to the severance of
relations with Germany. Chairman
Stone introduced a resolution endors-
ing the presidents course and probably
will call it up for action tomorrow.
A measure prescribing heavy pun
ishments for espionage, framed by the
department of justice, was introduced
in the senate and at Secretary Bakers
request the house military committee
wrote into the annual army appropria-
ton bill a special appropriation for
anti-aircraft guns at arsenals and q
provision removing all limit from the
number Of army general staff officers
who may be stationed at Washington
to work out war problems.
The army bill was put into final
form in committee today and prob
ably will be called up in the house this
week. Tomorrow the house will resume
debate on the naval bill.
Senator Overman's espionage bill
provides penalties of two years i'm
prisonment and fine of $4,000 for
any person approaching, entering or
flying''in an airplane over any vessel,
fort, navy yard, or other place con-
nected with the national defense to
obtain information to which he is not
lawfully entitled. 1t applies to any
one who obtains photographs, blue
prints. documents or memoranda Of
such places and to code or signal books
and models
When any of these things are at
tempted for the purpose of delivering
Information to any foreign govern
ment,. the penalty is made 90 years
Imprisonment in peace times, and in
time of war the penalty is imprison-
ment for life.
Another section of the bill provides
life imprisonment in time of war for
anyone who collects, records, pub
fishes or communicates Or attempts to
elicit any information with respect to
the movement, numbers, description or
disposition of any of the armed forces
ships, airplanes or war material of the
United States or with respect to any
works or measures undertaken for or
| connected with or intended for the
fortification or defense of any place
| intended to be communicated to the
| enemy or of such a nature as is cal
culated to be or might be directly or
| indirectly useful to the enemy.
important ''HieluHieHlS TO the naval
bill neccssitated by the international
| emergency were discussed today by
Chairman Padgett of the house COM
mittee and Secretary Daniels.
The army bill amendment removing
all limits to the number of members of
| the general staff who may be brought
to Washington would replace a pro-
| vision in the present law under which
not more than so per cent may be
| stationed here.
The bill carries $3.50. 900, 900.
William Jennings Bryan's presence
in Washington and his proposal of n
| popular referendum on the question Of
| the United States going to war against
Germany attracted notice today on the
floor of the house. A discussion was
precipitated by Representative Miller
of Minnesota, who read message
from constituent stating that the
interests of our country would be con-
served by the immediate internment Of
the said Bryan"
Representative Huddlcson, Demo-
crat, of Alabama, and Representative
Sloan, Republican, of Nebraska, warm
w 1afapIal Jorx,,,