Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-03-03
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Washington. March 2.--Presdent
Wilson's bill to authorize a policy of
armed neutrality was pressed toward
passage in the senate tonight, with
debate running the whole scale of tho
nations foreign relations.
The measure. which the While
House has announced 1t desires as a
substitute for the less sweeping bill
passed by the house last night. de-
Veloped little evidence of determined
opposition. 1t gave senators a long
awaited opportunity, however. to de-
clare their convictions in the interna-
tional crisis; and the debate proceed
ed with deiberation despite the
knowledge that it now is senate ac-
tion on which the president is wait
ing.
No Party Lines,
There were no party lines, and most
of he pacificist element Of the sem
e., DECLARED O. W lin gness TO fall In
y .Nn1 thy prnsldent in his move for
n rmed policy,
Senator stone, head of the foreign
r. lations committee, however, by vir-
u. Of his position as logical admin
,HratiOn spokesman on such Guef-
tons, Withdrew from the task as soon
as the armed neutrality bill was
lronght in by his committee. He
said candOr would not permit him 20
AXE tn" floor for the measure, aud
submitted an amendment to exempt
munitiOn carrying ships from the
protection to be extended other mer-
chantmen.
To Senator Hitchcock and Senator
Lodge, the ranking democratic and
republican committeeman, fell the
leadership, Senator La Toilette,
about whose attitude there had been
some uneG siness announced that he
would talk at length on the bill. but
had no intention of filibustering.
Galleries Crowded.
As the debate proceeded into the
night there were many predictions
that it would be well towards morn
ing before a vote could be reached.
The dramatic features of the situation
we're heightened by crowded galleries
and the attendance of several cabinet
members and many representatives
on the floor as spectators Among
those in the diplomatic gallery early
in the night was Sir Cecil Spring Rice,
the British ambassador,
The senate bill, in addition to au-
thorizing the arming of merchant
ships, would extend the authority re-
Quested by the president for the use
of "other instrumentalities' in pro-
tecting American rights. That feature
was omitted from the house bill,
which also contained a prohibition OBJ
jectionable to the president against
insurance by the war risk bureau of
vessels laden with munitions
More than one senator declared
passage OF the senate bill would mean
war, sooner or later, but almost with
out exception they added that they
We're ready to accept war on those
terms. A few insisted that it would
not mean war None expressed any
other expectation than that it would
be passed and then be accepted some
time tomorrow in the house
Stones Amendment.
Chairman Stone of the committee
offered an amendment to withhold
protection from munitions ships end
turned the leadership on behalf of the
measure over to Senator Hitchcock.
the next ranking democratic commit
tee member. An effort by Senator
Stone to attach such a provision to the
measure in committee had failed.
Senator Stone disclaimed any per-
sorol responsibility for the commit
tees measure.
"Candor compels me to say" he de-
clared Il am not in accord with this