The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-06


 saying he had spent sleepless nights considering the war question, declared he finally had decided to vote against the resolution.
 DEBATE BEGINS PROMPTLY Washington, April 5.-Debate on the war resolution began in the House promptly at 10 o'clock this morning with Chairman Flood of the foreign affairs committee making the opening statement
 Passage of the resolution which will complete the action of Congress in declaring that a state of war exists between Germany and the United States is expected before night by a heavy majority comparable with that which attended it's passage last night in the Senate. Far In the rear of the hall sat Rep resentative Cooper of Wisconsin, rank ing republican member of the foreign affairs committee, who was expected to lead the opposition. Less than 9 dozen members, it was predicted, would vote against the war resolu- tion
 GALLERIES HALF FILLED Galleries were only half filled when debate began and less than half of the members were present when the ses sion opened
 Under the unanimous consent rules, by which the resolution was being considered, Representative Flood could move the previous question at any time after one hour and if sustained bring the measure to a vote. He was disposed, however, to give members every opportunity to speak throughout the day.
 The debate began without any 1imi- tation
 FLOOD LEADS OFF War is being made upon our coun- try and its people" Representative Flood said in opening. Our ships are being sunk. Our noncombatant citizens, including men, women and children, are being murdered; our merchantmen are denied the freedom of the seas. There Is no choice as to our course We are compelled by the acts of the German government to enter into this most colossal war. The time for argument has passed . the time for heroic action is here, and our people will rally to the support of their government in this high and patriotic hour and meet wars sacri- fices and wars perils as brave and patriotic people should. We should take our stand by the side of the allied nations which have been fighting humanitys battles for two and one-half years determined that our power shall be so employed that complete victory shall crown theil efforts and that Prussan militarism shall be crushed and the world shall be delivered from the threat and dan ger of the Hohenzollern dynasty" HARRISON ASSAILS GERMANS Representative Harrison of Missis- sippi vigorously assailed pro- German sympathizers and pacifists. "If there be in this body or else where citizens who object to the course we are embarking upon. said MT. Harrison. T would suggest to them that they employ their talents and eloquence not in attempting to cause dissension among the American people but addressing Kaiser Wilhelm Beth- mann Hollweg, the Reichstag and the author of that remarlSa ble sample of diplomatic 'kultur' the Zimmerman note
 "Tell them how we love the history and principles of our democratic gov ernment; tell them how. during tho whole war; the steady hand and un- erring judgment and patriotic heart
 of the President have been employed
 in ceaseless effort to avoid war and
 maintain a neutral position; tell thera
 how our ships have been sunk; our citizens ruthlessly murdered, and the most diabolical plots matched at our
 very doors; tell them how we have
 protested, pleaded, and supplicated to degree that has been almost humii4
 ating, and how they have maoe promises only to be broken, and to in- jury have been added insult; tell them
 that If theirs professions are to be considered more than a mere scrap of
 paper they must atone for their past
 o af fc nd l. 1I.. solemn pledges. If they do this, we
 will call off the dogs of war; if they
 do not we will wage war to the limit
 or our resources and the end will not come until German militarism, the greatest menace to the peace and hap piness of mankind, is no longer a blot on civilization"
 FIRST OPPOSITION
 First expressions of opposition to the
 resolution came from Representative Cooper and Stafford of Wisconsin and
 Representative Britten of Illinois,
 while Mir. Flood was recounting Ger
 man violations of American rights which have led up to the war resolu tion.
 Would not the English mines in the
 North sea destroy American lives?" Representative Cooper asked M ITO date England never has sunk one of our ships or destroyed ar American life," MT Flood said Loud applause greeted the reply Representative Seigel of New York, republican, favoring the resolution, said he could not disregard the fact that though we cry peace, Germany
 answers by warning against us" Representative Cooper, first to speak in opposition to the resolution, defend ed the pacifists.
 T have been called pacinst." he said
 T voted for all of those preparedness bills. This campaign of islander has no regard for the truth"
 Representative Cooper also defendel those who voted for the McLemore reso- lution.
 DECLARES AMERICANISM
 T was right then, said Representative Cooper, land so were the IA other mem bers who voted for 1t. It should have passed. Canada does not permit it's won,- zen to travel on armed ships. and neither should we. til dlAi Ia lx2
 Every pacfist in the country knows am not pacifist in the sense in which that world is used.'' he continued. Docs It mean because do not want to go to war with a nation 4000 miles away, and because England and Germany have vio- lated our rights that I am not Amer