Evening star., 1917-03-01
House, Amid Cheers, Unani-
mousIy Adopts Special Rule
for Flood Resolution.
SENATE FILIBUSTER NOW
SEEMS NEARING AN END
Power to Protect Flag Likely to Be
Granted With Little Further
Opposition.

In most dramatic manner a test
vote in the House of Representa-
tives today foreshadowed what
seems to be a complete abdicatlon
of the pacifsts in favor of grant
ing to the President of the United
States the full power for which he
asked to protect the flag upon the
high seas. After leaders on both
sides had made plain and brief
appeal for harmonized American
ism, the House loudly adopted the
special rule which makes in order
the resolution granting to the
President the power to arm
American merchant ships.
Unanimous for Rule.
There was no attempt to ask for At
roll call; instead of that the House
voted loudly and unanimously. although
there had been one or two short
speeches made in opposition to the
granting of this full power asked for
by the President.
But after Representatives Mann, Len
root, Flood. Henry and others had
aroused enthusiasm of the entire men,
bership of the House, the opposition
,oer,od to 5u-;pdJo mot hly and thero
were violent cheers following each ex-
preston of patriotism. Although a
vote on the Flood resolution will prob
ably not occur until late in the after
noon, the temper of the House on the
first vote was plainly and overwhelm-
ingly pro-American.
Senate Filibuster Weakens.
Evidences were on every hand in the
Senate today that the republican I'LL
buster against defense legislation and
the armed neutrality bill was rapidly
breaking up. Several republican sena-
tors. in the light of the international
revelations. assured democratic lead
ers that they would stand by the Presi-
dent.
Practical demonstration OF the break
in the filibuster came on consideration
of the naval bill, although some SEN
ators still were apprehensive Of the
attitude of Senator La Toilette. In re-
sponse to inquiries, the Wisconsin sem
ator said he really did not know what
he would do. Injection into the situ-
alton Of the reported German proposal
of an alliance with Mexico and Japan
to war on America, it was apparent,
had caused all senators to ponder Sc
riously on a proper course of action.
Flood Stirs Patriotism.
At the outset of the House debate
siasm on both sides. Every reference
to Americas willingness to protect the
rights of citizens. wherever they had a
right to travel. was met with a volley
of applause. He cited that authority
for the President to act. as suggested
in the bill, had been granted to other
executives in 1894. 1898. 1905, 1915, 1899
and 1856. and, incidentally, attacked the
pacifists protesting against the bill.
I'm 119S," he continued, conditions
were much as they are today. England
and France were at war. and France
was preyfng on commerce as Germany
is today. Many people in this country
at that time said our rights should not
De upnelu anu tndl TO upnOiQ tnem
would lead to war with France. We
gave the President the power. our COM
merce was protected. our honor vindi-
Gated and war was averted."
by this act" said Representative
Flood, I'VE may not be able to avert
war. If we should become involved in
war. however. the passage of this bill
would be one of the minor causes of
that direful result. 1t may be neces-
sary only to arm ships, but IL we must
1,@
the President this power asked, and
the question of war will be with Ger
many. There is no doubt of the right
of Americans to travel. and we hope to
uphold this right peacefully. If that
cannot be done. then we will do it with
arms.
IF Germany were conducting this war
with the instincts Of humanity we might
take our chances. l cannot understand
how this bill can fail to pass. 1t is a
question of American rights. and when
such a question arises in this House there
are no party lines"
Discussed by Republicans.
Representative Cooper Wis. republican.
contended the bill surrenders to the Pres
ident the war power.
Representative Campbell OF Kansas. re-
publican, contended the warning power
should not be delegated.
Representative LenroOt of Wisconsin
disagreed in all respects
with Campbell's arguments. The bill, he
does not delegate the war
making power, but only would protect
American ships against a war-making
act If war comes. he said. it will be
py an unlawful act of a foreign power
Representative Bennett Of New York.
announced that he would
vote to protect the American rights
ssailed here and now" He supported
the bill as reported.
Applause far greater than that which
greeted Mr.. Floods opening statement
met Republican Leader Mann's rousing
speech in favor of the bill.
Mann Back Of Measure.
at is well known" Mr.. Mann said,
that / have done and will do every
thing in my power to keep this coun-
try out of the European war and the |
,eace settlement that is certain to fol- !
low it's end. But 1 do not see how
Il is possible for a patriotic nation to
refuse to give the President at the |
lime of this crisis power which he |
asks and which is provided for in the
pending bill. !
II recognize the fact that those op-
posing this proposition are filled with |
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