The Washington herald., 1917-03-10
What Leading Newspapers
Say on the War Situation
Closure at Last.
New York Tmea) }

There could be no stronger proof OF
the way in which the events OF the last
month have impressed the Senate than
the ease with which the advocates of
closure have had their own way. A
month ago this creased slipping Of
closure through the Senate would not
have been possible. The House adopted
1t twenty-seven years ago after bitter
and violent opposition, and it became
leading political issue in the elections.
The Senate, despite numerous attempts
to introduce closure. has steadfastly re-
fused to hear Of It, and has taken pride
in its unlimited freedom OF debate. That
single incident, like the filibuster Of last
week. sufrices to change the Senate's
view, at a place where 1t seemed most
strongly rooted. is eloquent of the way
in which that body has been stirred and
moved by the nations present peril
Twelve or Eleven,
CNew York SUM-
A reader who evidently wishes to he
exact in his count of the sheep and the
goats in the United States Senate sends
to US this pertinent letter:
ITO the editor Of The Sun-Sir: Help q
puzzled reader. You printed a list Of
twelve Senators on your editorial page
on Monday. Today you have eleven in
a headline over a letter. and on another
twelve I am honestly asking for light.
Were there two bills. or what Is the
cause Of the confusion as to the num-
ber1 w. H. YOUNG.
Brooklyn. March s.
The cause OF the confusion TO which
Mr.. Young refers grows out Of the fact
that so far as the official record of the
Senate Is concerned the sheep and the
goats have not been divided. There has
haan dnnhf that fharA
Senators who stood In the nations light.
but there has been a question whether
there were twelve or thirteen instead of
eleven. The eleven who beyond doubling
gave support. moral or otherwise, to the
flibuster and who also refused to sign
the manifesto were these:
Democrats: Stone, of Missouri; OGor-
man. OF New York; Kirby. of Arkansas;
Lane. of Oregon. and Vardaman, of Mis-
sissippi. Total 5.
Republicans: La FalIette, OF Wiscon-
sin; Norris. of Nebraska; Cummins of
Iowa: Gronna, of North Dakota; Clapp,
of Minnesota, and Works of California.
Total G.
The Game of Pacinsm.
New Yorf HeraldD
Had proper naval appropriations been
made each year during the last ten wears
the Navy Department would not be con-
fronted by the enormous difficulties at
tendant on the efforts to begin the con-
of the ships SO much needed. so
long delayed and in a burst of apprehen-
sion so literally provided. AS with Great
Br1tain's land forces, our lack of pre-
is mainly attributable to the
ignorant complacency and stupidity of
pacif1sm.
How we'll the air Of superiority and the
dreary platitudes about the 100 years
peace along the Canadian border are now
recalled Professors and near-professors
OF all sorts and conditions, old women of
both sexes and clergymen Of all sects
Joined IN the unholy chorus. Officers
whose lives have been devoted to the
naval and military services and to the
study OF the dangers threatening the
country were held up as Spartan terrible
examples by second chop pundits whose
horizons had been limited by the narrow
ed walls Of their studies and classrooms
These experts of the armchair derided
and opposed every scheme for protection,
and where and what we are today is the
direct outcome of the power ignorantly
but effectively exercised by these mis-
chievous gentry. as the world now knows
them to be.
The success Of the Navy DEPARTMENTS
efforts to induce shipbuilders to begin
and expedite the construction of the ves-
sells provided is still uncertain. 1t may
be that the authority granted to COM
mandeer, to apply the right of eminent
domain may have to be employed-let II
be hoped only as last resort. But even
with this the nation may have to await
until 1921 before a fairly adequate fleet is
ready for the defence Of our integrity as
a nation.
Why Stone Must Go.
New York WORLDLY
Finding himself out Of sympathy with
his country and his party, with war i'm
pending. a high-minded man accidentally
placed in the craftsmanship of the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations would
resign.
The indictment Of William j. Stone in
this instance is not for filibustering, as
he would like to have the people believe.
He Is accused of something far worse
than that A partisan of Germany in the
position that he now occupies is as in
tolerable as an avowed secessionist at the
head of the Union armies would have
been in the civil war"
The World has no desire to med
die with Senator Stones conscience, or
question his privilege to sympathize with
Germany he honestly believes Germany
Is morally right and the United States
morally wrong in this crisis. But such
a man should not be chairman Of the Sen
ate Committee on Foreign Relations. Un-
der no other government would such q
thing ha roaofIIa