New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-05
Session Essential

Special Session Essential
George Haven Putnam, publisher and
preparedness advocate. said he believed
a special session of Congress was not
only desirable but essential. FIRST,
however, he hoped President Wilson
would act as Roosevelt would have
acted, and authorize the arming OF
ships.
Wisconsin's answer TO her Repre-
sentatives who opposed the bill was
given in telegram included in q state
ment given out yesterday by the Ma
tional Security League. IL came from
August II. Nogel, a Milwaukee manu-
facturer, who is head of the Wiscon-
sin branch Of the league, and said:
Hundreds Of kilograms and petitions
going forward 10 Wisconsin Represent
atives in Congress urging universal
training and preparedness. Also mes
sages to President as follows: we
pledge 10 you our loyal support IN any
action YOU see 1T 20 take in defence OF
American rights which may be men
aced by any foreign country, and have
faith in your looking after american
interests with courage and fidelity.
President Wilson has sufficient prece-
dent 10 Justify him in armlng SHIPS
without the definite approval or con-
sent of Congress. II was pointed out Dy
Talcott Williams. director OF the CO.
lumbia School Of Journalism.
Cites Other Presidents
He cited Jefferson's unhesitatng &C
ton against the Barbary pirates, whose
deeds, he said, were no more contrary
10 the spirit of international law OF
that day than the sinking OF SHIPS oy
U-boats to-day. Roosevelts orders 20
Admiral Dewey to stop the German
feet if il sought 10 enter venezuelan
ports and Cleveland's instructions 70
Admiral Benham TO prevent lnterier-
ence with American shipping by bra-
lillian warships were other illustrations
of the prompt decision Of former exec
The Rev. s. Edward Young, pastor. o.
the Bedford Avenue Presbyterian
Church. Of Brooklyn. denounced the NJ,
clustering Senators. lie hesitaIeu, tx
said, to apply the word treason |,
their actions, but the temptation wal
strong. .Lo,l,
bo abIe "a thwart the President, almos'
tbe whole House and the Overwhelming
majority Of the Senate IS travesty o,
popular government, ne asser.eu
"They have gone against me pam.
indicated will Of the American people
Tbev have virtually constituted them
selves the government Of the Unitet
States -:
"a superb example of pscifism tri
umphant." said Henry A. Wise Wood
"But the pacifists are Mr.. Wilson's lie
gitimate children, and he certainly
should not complain of their operations
He has brought this upon himself, ant
he should now realize what II has cos
his country and himself TO temporiz'
with the people who have been preach
ing this damnsble, reasonable doctrine
of pacihsm.
Lost His Opportunity
weeks ago Mr.. Wilson had his op
| portunity TO provide himself with al
the power that he needed. But he tenn
PORTED. as usual, and failed TO grasI
that opportunity. The time 10 ask FOL
what he has asked at the eleventh houl
and been denied was when he went be
fore the Senate and gave his reply x
the German submarine notice.
"The question now arises, What Is
our self -discredited Executive and The
people of the United States going "a
do about IL? Is Mr.. Wilson tamely
going to accept defeat as usual and &c
until June without the power he says J;
necessary 70 assert American right'
and protect American lives, or is he
courageously going TO call a special
session Of Congress?
ain this present situation VIC have q
perfect. illustration Of the inability oil
pacificism 20 keep nation out OF war
Pacifsm has had it's own way and has
miserably failed. All sorts of cheaT
subterfuges have been tried 70 keep US
out Of war. We are now being dragged
into it ingloriously by the scat OF ou'
pants"
Professor Franklin II. Giddings, OF
Columbia University, said he thought
the President ought TO take matters in
his own hands now and issue a call AT
once for the new Congress
Should Remember Them
81 think the twelve who prevented
| the armed ship bill from passing have
shown themselves thoroughly recrean'
TO patriotic duty. and should carefully
be remembered by American citizens
AZ roll Of unpatriotic men. | think
Mr.. Wilson should Immediately use all
the constitutional power he possesses
and 20 AS far ~ no can along the line
he asked Congress 10 support him In.
also think that he ought TO summon
the new Congress In extra session RICH,
away. I think IL is inevitable that we
shall be drawn into war with Germany
! don't imagine the conduct Of Germany
will be such that We can avoid war
even II we wish TO, and we ought no.
"a Wtsh IN "