New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-04

The power TO be granted is too broad
too sweeping. There IS no limit wnHt-
soever placed on other Instrumental
ties and methods.
Senator Stone said il would author
iZe the President 70 equip SHIPS anu
drive the German submarines from
commercial paths Of the seas.
NO doubt" he continued. "that
would be a proper thing TO do, but ~
would be war. And Congress would
have abdicated and surrendered IN ad-
vance all claim 20 pass upon the queS-
tions.
IF we want 10 enter into war-lf the
occasion is grave, as some OF the Seha-
tors say-let us say so. Congress is
the only power that has that right, ana
am unwilling to establish the prece-
dent Of shifting the war responsibility
20 the President vi the United states.
"To say the Entente are lighting our
battles is a dream, a nightmare OIL as
ordered brains" Senator Stone added,
when did il come TO pass that the
people Of the United States have goou
reason TO lean upon the strong shoui-
ders of Johnny Bull" asked senator
stone. whence came this impulse u
dominating affection? There are Sena-
tors and members Of the House who
somehow have been duped or persuad-
ed TO ally themselves with England; 10
announce themselves partissns OF that
power. | can't share that idea
Senator Stone told the Senate he had
heard that navy experts had devised
plan for protection of American mer-
chant ships. whereby they would De
equipped with small submarine chasing
boats, 10 be lowered in the danger zone
to scout for hostile craft and attack
them.
with this plan carried out said
Senator Stone, "a question arises as TO
what would be the status of merchant
ships so protected"
Senator Hughes suggested ~ was
hardly proper the subject be discussed
openlv so soon after the Senate had
PASSED a bill with stringent penalties
70 prevent discussions Of such secrets.
Senator Stone retorted he had not said
the plan had been adopted. but that it
had been advised and considered
Would Be in the War
Americans have been selling quaint
ties Of munitions to the Entente and
American ships have been carrying
them" continued Senator Stone. This
is not unlawful. II is permissible.
refused to support embargo resolu-
tions. | would not deny our people the
legal right to sell TO one belligerent
lust because the other cannot reach
our market. But if this government
should arm merchant ships, put gun
ners aboard and send the ships, loaded
with munitions. to a belligerent, we
would become by that very act the ally
of the government benefited. We would
be in the war"
Senator Lewis, Democrat, asked:
Does the mere carriage of NUM-
tons change the responsibility OF the
American government 20 protect its
citizens or Germany's liability for their
destruction -
"That would be a question for Con
gress to decide Senator Stone ans
wered.
ut is incredible, to my mind" said
Senator Hardwick, "that the President
would use the power TO convoy NUM-
tions ships
"If he would not" replied Senator
Stone. "why do we bother ourselves 10
pass his bill?"
When he concluded Senator Stone
had been talking for four and half
hours.
Senator Sutherland supported the
bill. but declared the President already
had authority 70 protect American citl-
Zens on American ships just as much as
he had power 70 repel invasion without
consulting Congress-
Notwithstanding the Presidents au-
thority." he said. "he has asked Con-
grcss for this authority. II this leg
islation were 10 fail, il would be mis-
understood abroad. We ought TO stand
for our rights and maintain them even
IL y leads 70 war"
Senator Hardwick denounced Bit
teriy those threatening to defeat the
bill. and pleaded that it be passed "to
keep peace, support the President and
let the German government know that
we will not submit TO murder on the
seas"
Cummins Makes Long Speech
At 10 p. m. Senator Cummins took
the floor 10 make a long speech against
the bill. He said there had been "per-
sistent attempts 20 distort" the atti-
tude OF the measures opponents, and
chat he based his opposition upon con-
stitutionsl objections against abandon
ing TO the President the war-making
powers Of Congress.
1T is a cowardly as we'll as uncon-
stitutiona act for Congress to divest
itself" he said. Congress will follow
the President and the people will fol-
low him in any relation he may estab-
lish under the law and the Constitu-
ton. when it is the province of Con-
gress to establish relations 10 other
countries under the Constitution, the
President should follow Congress. The
watchword of the time should be
changed a little. IL should be stand
by the government instead of stand
BY the President or stand by Con
gress.
Favoring arming of merchantmen,
Senator Cummins said he would expect
them to sink German submarines on
sight, provided they carry no NUM-
tions.
Parenthetically he said Great Brit
ain had "violated all laws Of nations
and interfered with our commerce
more vastly than Germany, although
not so murderously."
u. S. Ship Off for France