Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-06

Washington, Feb. 5.-Congress began
earnestly today to pave the way for
legislation that may be demanded by
any development in the international
crisis.
Still hopeful that the break with
Germany will not involve the United
States in war. leaders of both parties
recognized that preparations should
not be delayed and there was unusual
activity in the naval, military and rev.
enue committees while the judiciary
committee of the Senate worked all
day on a series of measures relating to
conspiracies against the government.
The Senate, as the co -ordinate
branch of the government having to do
with foreign relations, prepared to give
its official sanction to the severance of
relations with Germany. Chairman
Stone introduced resolution endors-
ing the Presidents course and prob
ably will call it UP for action tomor-
row. Therew Ill be some discussion, but
a majority of the Republican leaders,
consulted before 1t was introduced are
in sympathy with the resolution and
Senator Lodge, ranking Republican
member of the foreign relations COM
mlttee, talked In us FAVOR.
Army Bill in Final Form
The army bill was put into final
will be called up in the House some
time this week. Tomorrow the House
will resume debate on the naval bill
with the hope OF passing it during the
day.
Senator Overman's espionage bill pro-
vides penalties of two years imprison-
ment and a fine of $4,000 for any person
approaching, entering or flying in an air
plane over any vessel, fort, navy yard
or other place connected with the nation
al defence to obtain information to which
he is not lawfully entitled. It applies
to anyone who obtains photographs, blue
prints. plans. documents or memoranda
of such places, and to code or signal
DOCKS and models. The same penalties
are provided for mailing any letter or
document written in al Y medium (which
is not visible unless subjected to heat
chemicals or some other treatment"
When any of these things are attempted
for the purpose of delivering informa-
ton to any foreign government the pen
atty is made 20 years Imprisonment in
peace times, and in time of war the PEN
atty is imprisonment for life Another
section of the bill provides life imprison-
ment for anyone who in time of war
collects. records, publishes or commu-
nicates or attempts to elicit any infor-
nation with respect to the movement
description, condition or dispo-
sition of any of the armed forces, ships.
afrplanes or war material of the United
states. or with respect to any works or
measures undertaken for or connected
with or intended for the fertilization or
defence of any place, intended to be COM
municated to the enemy or OF a nature
as Is calculated to be or might be di-
rectly or indirectly useful to the enemy"
Amendment to Naval Bill
Important amendments to the naval
bill necessitated by the international
emergency were the subject of a con-
ference today between Chairman Pad
gett of the House committee and Sec
rotary Daniels. The secretary is par
ticularly anxious to secure passage of
which would give the Pres
1dent authority to take over priva,e
navy yards\and munition plants in time
of stress and would give the navy de-
partment elastic authority regarding
construction of submarines. air craft