The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-03-04
SENATE CENSORES z
FOR BLOCKING BILL
Manifesto Written Into Rec
ord Places Blame for
Measures Failure.
LITTLE HOPE FOR VOTE
Nine-Tenths Wanting Armed
Neutrality Measure Are
PeWerless.
Continued From Page One.)

thority." he said, 'he has asked con-
gress for this authority. If this lesis-
lation were to fail, it would he mis-
understood abroad. ] am not afraid of
the results of this legislation whatever
it might lead to. We ought to stand
for our rights and maintain them even
II it leads to war;"
Senator Jones declared the neutral
ity bill was the most momentous meas
urc presented to congress since the
civil war. He said that senators
should not be criticized for desiring to
discuss 1t fully. He said he wanted
TO stand by the president notwith
standing the fact that the president
| seemed to manifest no desire to stand
by congress"
He found 1t difficult to believe, he
said. that the president as reported
did not want congress on his hands in
the present crisis.
"lf we want the president to arm
| merchant ships and sink German sub
marines, we should direct him to do
so. not pass discretion and respon-
sibility for dicision onto him." said
Senator Jones.
Allies Not Innocent.
| The allies, he said, has closed the
seas to American commerce and IL
they had not sunk any American ships
] a
cause the ships had not gone there.
Senators Sterling and Nelson objected,
saying that the allies in their blockade
always had observed international law.
In reply, Senator Jones cited the
blockade of Greece, reading reports of
resulting starvation in that country
and of the sinking of Greek ships.
This shows that England would. if
necessary, do the same thing that Ger
many is doing" he continued
| "The allies have no more regard for
rights of neutrals than Germany, UNI
less it is necessary for their prcserva-
ton"
Behind President?
Senator Townsend said the bill would
give the president only such power as
he already possessed.
III ! thought it meant war; in this
trying--it may be fateful--hour
would hesitate" he said. But in this
solemn hour. it seems to me l should
vote to give notice to the world that
congress is behind the president"
Senator Townsend said that he fa-
vored, however. the portions of the
stone amendment which would ex-
empt munition ships from protection
Senator Hardwick denounced bitter
ly those threatening to defeat the bill
and pleaded that it be passed, .to
keep peace. support the president and
let the German government know that
he will not submit to murder on the
seas"
Cummins Against Bill.
AT 10 y. m. senator Cummins took
the floor to make a long speech against
the bill. He said there had been per
sistent attempts to distort' the at.
titude of the measures opponents and
that he based his opposition upon con-
sttutional objections against aband.
oning to the president the war making
powers of congress.
1T is a cowardIy as well as uncon
stitutional act for congress to dives,
Itself" he said. Congress will follow
the president and the people will fol.
low him in any relation ne may cstab.
fish under the law and the constitu.
ton. When it is the province of con.
gress to establish relations to Other
countries under the constitution tn.
= president should follow congress. TIL,
watchword Of the time should b,
changed little. It should now b.