The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1917-03-02
NO STEP LIKELY TO BE TAKEN
TO CALL GERMANY TO AC-
COUNT UNTIL GRANTED
AUTHORITY Asked FOR.
BELIEVED SUPPORT WILL
BE READILY ACCORDED
Little Progress Toward Enactins Nee
essary Legislation Is Made But No
Fear Is Expressed That Meas
ure Satisfactory to Presi-
dent Will Be Withheld.

Washington, Mar. 1.-The admins
tration waits on Congress to give the
answer of the United States to the
German campaign of ruthlessness
which has reached a climax in the
sinking of the liner Laconia and the
killing of two American women.
Official accounts of the unwarned
night attack on the Cunarder, regard.
ed as the first clear-cut case Of vic.
lation of American rights since the
severance of relations with Germany,
were laid before President Wilson
and the cabinet by Secretary LaIs.
ing 1t was decided that no step
should be taken until Congress had
time to grant the request for addi-
tional authority to protect the lives
and rights of Americans.
Little Progress in Congress.
In Congress little progress was made
toward enacting the legislation for
which the President asked in his ad
dress. The Senate foreign relations
committee by a divided vote reported
out a bill similar to the one intro
duced in the House to authorize the
President to arm merchant ships and
employ such "other instrumentalities"
, as he may deem necessary.
The formality of referring the mea-
sure back to the committee was
blocked by Senator La Toilette, and
agreement to consider nothing except
by unanimous consent until the rev.
enue bill has been voted on, further
action is delayed.
On the House side the foreign af
fairs committee talked through the
session over phraseology, those oppos-
ing action objecting chiefly to the
words "other instrumentalities."
The committee finally adjourned
without taking vote.
Leaders Not Disturbed.
The administration leaders are not
disturbed over the situation in the
House, however, as it is well under
stood that action under a special rule
can be forced whenever it is regard
ed as necessary.
Moreover, while there is some real
opposition in the committee and
among the pacifist group in the House,
both Republican and Democratic lead
ers intimate that it is deemed wise to
delay putting through a bill until it
is clear what the Senate will do, so
as to prevent confusion.
Even in the Senate the administra-
ton spokesman profess full confid-
ence that a measure satisfactory to
the president will be passed. AL
though most of the Republicans favor
stronger action than has been propos-
ed, it is believed they will vote for
the committee bill when the roll call
comes.
la Toilette May FiIibuster.
Some senators believe that the only
ounce of doubt lies in the attitude of
Senator LaFollette, whose course sug.
gested the possibility of a filibuster.
With adjournment only few days off,
one senator might easily talk the bill
to death and force an extra session.
The Wisconsin senator has not com.
mitted himself further than to say he
did not think any action should be
taken until the country was given
chance to see the proposed legislation
After the cabinet meeting it was
stated that the President had no pres.
ent intention of addressing Congress
again; that he felt that the situation