The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-20
Underwood Brings Good
 NeUs For Alabama About
 Prospect of Muscle Shoals
Senator Says Overt Act Has Been Committed by Germany President Has Authority to Use Warships- Has Talk With Secretary
 Baker About Muscle Shoals
By REUBEN X. LEWIS

Y X. LEWIS
 States government It has learned that it is far too valuable not to harness. Its water power is going to be used. Fer haps it will be used to furnish power for the making of steel by electricity"
 The overt act has been committed, the senator states.
 "Presdent Wilson has tried to keep the United States at peace with the world. He has borne patiently every act tinged with hostility and has used the keenest discretion in determining the policies of this country. He de- serves the credit and confidence of the country.
 AN ACT OF WAR
 But when the submarines of Ger many send to the bottom of the At lantic American vessels that are re- turning in ballast from European ports to the United States with loss of life do not see how he can fail to rec ognize in the sinking of these three ships that a virtual act of war has been committed.
 But one course seems to present itself American shipping must be pro- tected with the most effective instru- mentalities The warships of the na- tion must be used to clear the trans atlantic lanes of the U-boats that menace the commerce of America"
 Do you think that President Will son will call an immediate session of Congress to invest him with the power to take these aggressive measures?'
 ''In my opinion the President has the power to use the warships to pro- tect shipping without Congress grant ing him this instrumentality. But I do not know whether or not he will call an immediate session to have such d move indorsed''
 'In event of war with Germany, what would be the nature of the part of the United States?'
 WHOLLY NAVAL WARFARE
 '1t is my understanding that it would be wholly naval warfare, at the outset. If Germany were in a po- sition to menace the ports of the country, or if the United States could land forces in Germany, the situation would be such that the President would take immediate steps to raise an army. But the first movement of the United 1 States will be to protect it's shipping by employing it's fleet and auxiliaries Whether or not the United States will place it's armies in battle ranks against Germany will depend upon the future duration of the war I believe that Germany will be beaten within tWO SCd1 tlidl lH6 I1OnenZOlIefD dynasty will fall, and that a new gov- ernment will be formed. When the en- tente powers are victorious I do not believe that they will attempt to dis member the German empire but that they will insist upon a new govern ment.
 MUST CRUSH ENEMY
 eff Germany is not crushed soon and the United States enters the war, l expect the President 10 raise an army. At the minimum it will be a million men. do not believe this number. destined for service in France, can be raised by a call for volunteers. ConscriptiOn will be necessary. It will take at least one year to train this army for service. When the United States enters the war 1t should he will, the determination to crush It's enc mics by the most aggressive measures. It cannot take passive Stand.',
 Senator Underwood admits that ne favors a strict rule of cloture. To that end he has offered an amendment to the present rule. which was passed to meet an emergency.
 T am in favor of more strict rule of cloture. While I voted for the recent modified cloture, it really did not empower the majority of the Sem ate with the right to do business It admitted that a minority might block action that the majority desired. Prior to the adoption of this measure, though. the Senate was operating un- der the same rules that were drawn when there were only 22 senators in It is evident that a change was desir. able
 MAJORITY MAY RULE