The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-01-04
HITCHCOCK RESOLUTION
Continued From Page One.

When debate on the resolution was
automatically cut off by the eXpira-
ton of the so-called, morning hour,
Senator Hitchcock insisted that it be
continued and a vote taken.
Senator Lodge, completing his ar
gument against the resolution, de-
clared its adoption would be a leap
in the dark" and would precipitate
congress into the midst OF incom-
pleted negotiations concerning which
it knew nothing.
Senator Lewis, Democrat, Of Illi-
nois, began a defense of the resolu-
ton, contending it did not involve
the nation in the unprecedenteF.> situa-
ton suggested by Senator Lodge.
When the senate resumed its de-
bate today it had before 1t substitute
resolution by Senator Gallinger which
merely would say:
That the senate Of the United
States, in the interests Of humanity
and civilization expresses the sincere
hope that peace between the warning
nations Of Europe may be consummaI-
ed at an early day."
The Hitchcock resolution would
say:
THAT the senate approves ana
strongly indorses the action taken by
the president in sending the diplomatic
notes of Dec. Is, to the nations now
engaged in war, suggesting and recon-
mending that those nations state the
terms upon which peace might be
discussed"
Senator Lodge insisted today that
the Hitchcock resolution called upon
the senate to endorse all of the presi-
dents note, which he contended goes
far beyond any proposition merely to
bring the belligerentS together. II
would project congress, he declared.
into European politics, overturninR q
policy Of years standing and by in
volving the United States in European
politics. necessarily would involve
political interests Of the eastern
hemisphere with the interests of the
western hemisphere in contrayention
of the spirit of the Monroe doctrine.
Because of widespread misinterpreta-
tfon of the note, Senator Lodge declar-
ed congress was venturing into danger
If 1t adopted the Hitchcock resolution.
IF misinterpretation of the note is
general" said he. ''then we are In
danger, without abatement or modifica-
ton of the resolution. of stating to the
whole world that the senate or con-
gress are ranging themselves on the
side OF one belligerent in an attempt
to bring about peace.
1T will be observed that the presi-
he was embarrassed in making the
proposition, as it might appear that
he was influenced by the step taken
by Germany, but a short time previ-
GUS.
1.-THE president said his note was In
no way associated with the German
note. Unfortunately, different
Interpretation has been placed upon
the note. both abroad and here at
home. Otherwise, 1t could hardly be
coming at thesmoment that IL did.
IF Mr.. Lansing's statement, made
few hours after the presidents note
was sent and in which the dangerous
position of the United States was
pointed out, is true, no sounding out of
the belligerents was necessary
The next morning, however, Sec
ond explanation OF the presidents
note was offered by Mr.. Lansing. How
far this second explanation went in
explaining the purpose Of the presi-
dents note, / will have to leave to
others more ingenious than myself to
figure Out"
Senator Lodge declared he believed
that the Lansing statement had some
purpose, and declared If the purpose
of the mote was to inform the world
that the United States had a direct
interest that was bringing this country
to the verge Of war, then the note was
justified in form and substance.
Senator Lodge will continue his ar
gument tomorrow.
Administration officials have stated
that President Wilson did not seek
any action by congress or desire the
subject debated. but that since 1t had
come up in the senate naturally he
would be disappointed IL a movement
to endorse his course we're defeated.