The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-02-28

authority he asked for to deal with the
submarine crisis was taken to-day in
Congress.
The Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations reported favorably the Ad-
ministration bill with several amend
ments authorizing tho arming of mer-
chant ships and empowering the Presi-
dent to supply the vessels with defen-
sive arms and the necessary ammuni-
ton and means of making use Of them
The blanket clause comforting upon
him further authority to "employ such
other instrumentalities and methods as
may in his Judgment seem necessary
and adequate" was also retained in the
bill with an appropriation Of $780, 900.
600 to carry 1t into effect.
The House Foreign Affairs Commit.
tee, in which the pacifist element ap.
peared to be more formidable, also dis.
cussed the bill but without arriving a,
a conclusion. II was evident, however
when the committee adjourned tha,
the Administration supporters with the
aid of the Republican members were
in control and that a measure similar
II not identical. to that reported to the
Senate will be agreed upon tomorrow.
Approved by President.
The bill as reported by the Senate com
mittee meets with the complete approva
of the President. 1t was learned tonight
The favorable action OF the Foreign Re
iations Committee does not however, in
sure the passage of the bill by the Sen
ate. Senator stone. chairman of tn,
committee. had barely introduced the bill
before the opposition which 1t will en-
counter made its appearance.
Senator La Toilette, who Is opposed Il
the arning Of merchant vessels. objected
to the second reading of the bill. Thi.
delayed the formal reference oil il to IN.
committee until tomorrow. Another oh
lection will put it over for another da,
so that the Senate cannot take it VI
before Thursday.
The fate Of the measure hangs by {
slender thread There were CONTINUED
threats of a fllibuster tonight, and will
expiration Of the Congress. during which
time other important measures must b,
passed, vote can easily be blocked.
Republicans In the Senate are divided
on the merits Of the bill. Some of then
persist in their opposition TO the grant
Ing OF plenary powers to the Presiden
to use whatever instrumentalities he may
deem necessary to protect Americans oi
the high seas. Several Democrats of tn,
pacitist type will also vote against tn
bill
There were indications to-day. how
ever that most of the Republicans. in
fiuenced by the action OF their colleague
on the Foreign Relations Committee. will
be brought into line. and II is expecte,
that If vote is taken the bill will b.
passed.
Partlsa nship Absent.
There was no suggestion Of partisan
snip In the deliberations OF the Foreign
Relations Committee to-day. only on
Republican member. Senator Smith o
Michigan. opposed the measure. Tire
Democrats. Senators stone. OGorma,
and Hitchcock. appeared TO be hosti
supporting amendments designed to pre-
vent the armine Of ships carrying mum
tions OF war. Senator MCCumber joine,
the three Democrats in an effort to strtk
out the clause giving the President un
limited authority to use any other In
strumcntalities to protect America
rights.
The bill as reported by the committe
gives the President even more la.itud
| in the arminE Of merchant ships tha
! he requested
Following the phraseology Of the Ia,
n 4 syix u.
authority to arm ana defend their vessel
| against unlawful attack. AT the sus
eestion Of Senator Lodge the phras
fore and aft" was inserted In add
| tion the President gets specific au,horit
| to provide the guns and ammunition an
| the means Of using them
According to recognized rules the arm
ing OF a vessel for defensive purposes
confined to the mounting Of a gun on Il,
after deck. The committee. desiring I
safeguard merchant ships TO the fulie.
possible extent against submarine attacl
decided to grant specific authority fc
the mounting OF a gun forward In IN
form in which the bill was agreed upo
the bill IL held 10 give sufficient latitud
to vessel owners 10 mount broadsid
guns also II they choose to DO so.
New Authorization Needed.
Withou, this authority the proponen-
, OF the bill assert tho owners of vesse
| will not be able TO arm for defenc
against attacks Of submarines. The a,
of 1913 provided that the defensive arm
ament may not be used against "pul
lie vessel" that IL government owne
ship. In which class the German submi
rines would be included
Republican members Of the commit,
were more xealous to-day In providing
way for the armng OF merchant vesse
than In opposing the granting of blank,
authority to the President TO meet Il
emergency. They regard the arming ,
the ships as the only intermediate st.
the President can take short of war, ar
they believe he will take II before he e,
ters upon course Of action which vi
lead to open hostilities.
When the House Foreign Affairs Con
mlttee meets Tomorrow morning Chai
man Flood will inform his colleague
that two interviews with Postma ST
General Burleson and one with Preside,
Wilson have failed 20 obtain from Il
latter any material concession in Il
nature Of the demands on Congress.
The committee will shortly thereaf II
report bill the substantial provision
Of which will be almost Identical Wi
those contained In the Administrat!<