The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-05
THE BIRMINGHAM AGEHERAID, THURSDAY, APRIL > 1917

THURSDAY, / pIeo do not favor war Senator Me- Cumber said if his resolution was de- feated he would vote for that from the committee.
 Another vigorous speech against de- claring war was made by Senator Nor ris of Nebraska. who asserted that Wall street and others of wealth were interested in securing profits from such a war and that many newspapers and news agencies have been con- trolled and enlisted in the greatest propaganda the world has ever known to foster war sentiment.
 'T am most emphatically opposed to taking any step that will force this country into the useless and senseless war" said Senator Norris. But I shali not permit my feelings to interfere with bringing success and victory to American arms
 Senator Norris said:
 Ut is now demanded that Amer ican citizens shall be used as insur- ance policies to guarantee the safe de- livery of munitions to the bellig- erents.'
 Continuing, the senator said:
 War does not bring prosperity to the soldier; nor to the broken-hearted widow and mother: nor to the little children. War brings prosperity to the gambler on Wall street. Wall street considers only dollars and cents. Such men could not go to war Even the drafting officer will not find them. I feel we are about to put the dollar sign on the American flag"
 NORRIS PREDICTS
 Senator Norris predicted that the war about to be declared will take America into "entanglements that will not end with this war;
 Senator Reed challenged some Of Senator Norris statements. He said his assertion that the nation is gc- ing to war on the demand of gold" is ''an indictment of the President of the United States; an indictment of Congress, of the American people, and of truth"
 Tt is not the truth" said the Mis- souri senator.
 Referring to Senator Norris state ment that a war declaration twill put the dollar sign on the American flag" Senator Reed said:
 "If that be not almost treason. it takes on the character and guse that is so near to treason that the enemies of America will gain as much con- solation as if 10000 citizens had de- nounced this government after a war declara tion."
 EDGE OF TREASON
 'It grazes the edge of treason" Ser ed and Senator Reed indorsed the in- terjection.
 The President is not calling Amer ica to arms for the sake of a few pal try dollars" Senator Reed continued, but for the life, honor and integrity of this country"
 Senator Norris, replying to Senator Reed, declared that he had meant no reflection on anybody when he as- serted that he was afraid the nation was about to put the dollar mark OH the American flag. He had no apology to make for that remark he said, and added that he was not questioning any mans motives
 Senators Williams. James and Pom creme joined in a sharp tilt with the Nebraska senator in which the spec tators laughed and applauded. Some hissed statements of Senator Norris and were warned against further dem onstrations
 When Senator Reed said the Ne braska senator owes to the country to make clear his dollar sign state- ment. Senator Norris said he could not help wrong construction being placed upon his words.
 What would the senator think if I said that I think that he and other senators opposing this resolution were seeking to place the picture of the Kaiser on the American flag" asked Senator James.
 KISSES HEARD
 "I would not pay any attention to it" Senator Norris answered deliber- ately and a, few misses came from the galleries.
 Your speech will be paid attention to by the American people and partic- ularly the people of Nebraska" Sena- tor James retorted, heatedly
 'T hope it will" MT Norris an- swered.
 Senator Pomerene of Ohio interrupt ed by saying about 300 Americans in- cluding women and children, had been killed by submarine warfare.
 How many more does the senator want to see killed before he is ready to defend our citizens and their rights?" asked the Ohio senator
 "If any government were seeking our Americans with intent to kill them because they were Americans" said Senator Norris, 'I would go to war when the first one was killed. Tha has not been the case here either with those killed by British mines or Ger man submarines"
 Senator LaFollette began Lis speech by reading letter to Representative Helge- sen of North Dakota from a North Da- kota woman, protesting in behalf of her son against the slaughter that war means The Wisconsin senator was given close attention from both the floor and gal leries
 Senator LaFollette read the letter with out comment and then plunged into a defense of himself and other senators who voted against the armed neutrality bill
 T had supposed until recently he said that it was the duty of senators and representatives to vote and act thelr con victions. Quite another doctrine has been proposed by the newspapers of the coun- try It is the doctrine of standing behind the President without inquiry as te whether he is right or wrong.
 FIRM IN STAND
 q have never subscribed to that doc Urine and 1 never shall"
 Declaring he became convinced thal arming of merchantmen would be wholly futile and lure to their destruction, ' Senator LaFollette recited how he had been criticized by the executive for op- posing the armed ship bill.
 Representatives of the President saw fit to prevent my speaking,'' he said. "The he characterized as 'willfup the conduct r IL |.