Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1917-03-02

! he would not object to passage or the
Lodge resolution providing it be
amended to ask the president to state
when the Zimmerman note had come
into possession Of the United States
government
Senator Dodge added to his resolu-
ton a clause requesting that the SEN
ate be supplied with all other infor-
nation regarding this matter if not
/ incompatible with the public interest.
1T is time" said Senator Lafollette.
that we should know how long the
president or any branch Of the govern
ment has had the document in his
possession"
Senators Reed and Hardwick oh
jected to hasty passage Of the Lodge
resolution and had II re- read.
Senator Lodge declared that when "a
great news gathering association like
the Associated Press put forward ser
ious and solemnly what purports to be
q dispatch from the secretary Of foreign
affairs Of Germany inviting Mexico
and Japan to unite to make war on the
nit.d States IL was time the con-
sress and the people should be inform
ed VI the matter"
While Senator Swanson was assur-
to state that the announcement by the
Associated Press was correct, fun con-
firmation was being given officially at
the White House and state depart
meut
Senator Hardwick. OF Georgia. demo-
crat. objected TO immediate cousidera-
ton Of the Lodge resolution and other
senators urged To withdraw it,
Senator Works. republican Of Cali
fornia. argued that il should be
adopted
1T is exceedingly important" said
he. that we have explicit Information
whether the president. at the time he
asked congress To confer extraordinary
powers upon him knew of these con-
ditions as disclosed In the newspapers.
If the president had the information at
that time il was due congress and the
people OF the United States that he
should lay before congress all of the
! circumstances that might affect the
action Of congress. Congress is deal =
/ ing with that situation and we should
have all the information before taking
any steps"
The text Of the Lodge resolution is
As follows
! That the president be requested to
! inform the senate whether the note
signed Zimmermann' published in the
{ newspapers Of the morning Of March |,
( inviting Mexico to unite with Ger
many and Japan in war against the
| United States. is authentic and in the
possession of the government OF the
| United States, ana Il authentic. to send
/ 70 the senate, If not incompatible with
/ the public interest any further informa :
/ ton in the possession Of the United
| States government relative to the ac-
| tivities Of the imperial German govern
ment in Mexico
Senator Reed depored what he said
! appeared to he criticism of the pres
| ident. although Senator Lodge dis
! claimed any intention to embarass him
i hope that at this moment. which
! TO me appears to be very solemn
| one, Senator Reed said. we Will not
! have any more manifestations or dis
positions to criticise the president. Let
US criticise no ore by any kind OF
Inference. This is time when Amer
leans should close their ranks and face
one way and respond to one sentiment
| hope that will be done"
Il am very deeply impressed with
| the gravity Of the situation" said Sen
ator Thomas. democrat OF Colorado
! We are confronted with crisis that
may be very serious. 1t is a coinci-
dence that the Associated Press pub
| lication comes when the senate is con-
| sidering the army and navy bills.
But If this letter from the German
foreign minister is authentic. and it is
| said to be by the senator from Vir-
GINA. we should know it and know it
now. | hope the resolution of the
senator from Massachusetts will be
acted upon and ! am sure the pres
iGent VIII respond to it. There may
be reasons for not giving the informa =
ton If compatible with the public in
tercst.
The fact is the Associated Press
has given this entire story to the public
with what seems to be a most import
ant document 1t is probably anthem
tic"
Senator Lodge said he cared little re-
garding the form of his resolution.
Nothing is further from my mind
| than to suggest criticism of the pres
ident,' said he. I'VE ought to have
this information-the people ought to
have Ito know whether the document
Is true or not. If we are to act to-
gether we ought to have that fact"
Il have every reason to believe that
the inquiry Is not distasteful to the
president. We must not act on news
paper reports and we ouEt to have the
official information. The president is
asking great powers. For one | think
we ought To give ii to him. And we