New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-02
Measure Goes Through by
4O3 to l3; Serious Blow
to Pacihsts
Unlimited Power Fails
Sentiment Shows, However,
That Stronger Senate Draft
Is Certain of Adoption


resentatives is -. By = vote of 4O3 to
y the Flood bill. giving the President
authority, but not all he asks, since the
right TO use "other instrumentalities"
i'm defence Of American rights is with
held. was adopted by the House late to-
night and the bill sent to he Senate.
The bill provides for a Sl00,000.000 bond
issue.
The bill probably will be taken up in
the Senate tomorrow morning and the
stronger Senate measure substituted
for il. Then the situation will be in
the hands Of Senat'r La Toilette. II
he chooses to take the responsibility -
and even tonight none Of his col
leagues knew whether he would-the
bill may be talked to death. II he does
not the bill will pass by q tremendous
majority
The huge vote in the House indi-
Gated clearly that it is in a temper to
give tho President the much stronger
/ Senate bill when that measures comes
back from the upper House, 50 it may
be taken for granted that If Mr.. la Fol.
lettc does not flibustcr the Senate bill
/ viii be enacted.
Protect Munition Ships
Perhaps the most significant vote
/ to-day was Oh the motion OF Represen'
tatiyc Cooper. OF Wisconsin. one OF the
thirteen pro-Germans. but ranking &c
publican member Of the House Foreign
Affairs Committee. 10 amend the meas
urc by refusing permission 20 arm
ships carrying munitions. This was
voted down, 30 to IA. more than five
, 20 two.
In short. the House. by majority
: Of ~. indicated its belief that Amer
lean ships carrying munitions have
right to carry defensive guns for the
destruction OF any submarine attacking
them.
One Of the big surprises of tho day
was a strong speech By Republican
Floor Leader Mann IN favor of the bill
Democratic Floor Leader kitchin,
one OF the leading pacifsts in Con
gress. also swung around, as did many
other members who have been talking
/
feared might lead to war with Ger
many
The flop of Mr.. Mann is particularly
II tercsting in view Of the strong stand
taken all through the fight by his op-
ponent i'm the Republican party for
Speakership honors in the next House.
Representative Lcnroot. despite his
heavy German constituency in Wis
consin was one OF the leaders in the
fight for American rights.
Debate on the bill lasted from the
meeting Of the House to-day, when
the bill was introduced. until after 10
o'clock tonight
Those who worked against the bill
we're:
Republicans Benedict. Of Califor-
mia; Cary, OF Wisconsin: Cooper, Of
Wisconsin; Davis, OF Minnesota; Hell
gesen. Of North Dakota; Lindbergh. ~
Minnesota: Nelson. of Wisconsin:
Stafford. OF Wisconsin, and Wilson, OF
Illinois.
Democrats Decker. Of Missouri;
Shackleford. Of Missouri, and Sher-
wood. of Ohio.
Socialist London, of New Yors.
House Applauds Americsnism
At the outset of the House debate
b Chairman Flood said authority for the
I President 20 act as suggested in the
bill had been granted to other Exec
utives in 1894. 1898, lSV5, 1915. 1889
and 1866. lie incidentally attacked the
pacihsts.
an l79S.7 he said. conditions were
much as they are to-day. England and
France were at war. and France was
preying on commerce rs Germany is
Z -,
8 az that time said our rights should not
i be upheld and that 10 uphold them
would lead to war with France. We
/ gave the President the power, our COM
mcrce was protected, our honor vindi-
/ Gated, and var was averted.
/ by this act" said Representative
/ Flood I'VE may not be able to avert
war. There is no doubt of the right
Of Americans TO travel, and We hope
TO uphold this right peacefully. II
that cannot be done, then We will do
. IL with arms.
III Germany were conducting this
war with the instincts of humanity We
might take our chances. 1t is a ques-
/ ton Of American rights, and when such
a question arises in this House there
arc no party lines"
Representative Cooper. Wisconsin,
Republican. contended the bill surren-
dered the war power 20 the President
+ ara Representative Campbell Kansas,
/ Republican. made similar statements.
Lcnroot Supports Bill
Rcpres entative Lenroot, Wisconsin,
Republican. disagreed in all respects
F with Campbell's arguments. The bill,
he conteuded, did not delegate the war
making power. but only protected
United States ships against an act of
war.
Representative Bennett. New York,
/ Republican. announced that he would
/ vote to protect the American rights
"assailed here and now" lie sup
ported the bill as reported.
Applause even far greater than that
which greeted Representative Floods
opening statement met Republican
Leader Mann's rousing speech in favor
. OF the bill. Few men on either side OF
the chamber failed TO respond by hand
clapping or cheers.
1T is well known" Mr. Mann said,
that have done and will do every
thing in my power to keep this country
out OF the European war. and the peace
settlement that Is certain to follow rs
end. When the time comes that our
.nlp3 snail De saulled huu inc iiih's
Of our patient bearing for insults or de-
struction that may be heaped upon us
Is passed IL becomes the duty OF great
or small government to defend Its
rights upon the sea. / nope and believe
that by giving this power to the Presi-
dent We shall be more apt TO keep out
than 10 get into war
Democrat Leader Kitchin. ono q the
so-caled pacifst group. announced amid
great applause that ne would vote TO
tho hill