Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-01-10
Expect to Exceed Necessary Two thirds by l5 or 20
 Votes Tomorrow.
WILSON SAYS VOTE
 IS WOMEN'S RIGHT
Due Them in lrntict to Women of America and the World Opponents oi Measure GIaired Victory Till
 tnnnuncrmeut Silent Now.
Hyy Associated Press,

Washington, Jan. 9. - President Wilson tonight threw his support to the federal amendment for women suffrage on the verge of vote on suffrage in the house. Twelve demo- cratic members called at the white house with word that they wanted ad- vice from the head of their party as to the position they should take. There was a conference of 40 minutes, the result of which was described in this statement dictated by the presi- dent himself, and hadc public by the delegations:
 "Thc committee found that the president had not felt at liberty to vol- unteer his advice to members of con gross in this important matter, but when we sought his advice, he very frankly and earnestly advised us to vote for the amendment as a right and justice to the women of the country and the world
 Suffs Now See Victory.
 In these few lines suffrage cham pions saw certain victory, where few days ago most of them privately were concedng defeat. A large majority of republicans in the house have been counted upon to support the amend ment. and enough democrats arc com- mitted to ensure a close vote. With the weight of the presidents influence to swing doubtful democrats, Repro sentative Baker, chairman of the suf frage committee, jubilantly predicted tonight that the necessary tWO-thlrds would be exceeded by 15 or 20 votes.
 Opponents Claimed Victory.
 Opponents of suffrage were claim
 in ga safe margin against the amend ment during the day, in spite of inti- nations from the suffragists that trump card yet was to be played. There were no formal predictions from the opponents tonight, but a tre- mendous fight is promised. The news of the presidents action came as 2 complete surprise to nearly everybody in the capital, though some of the suffrage leaders have insisted for q long time that the president was with them and would tell anybody who asked him. Until now in all public ut terances the president has held to the view that suffrage was a question to be determined by the individual states, and not by federal action. No state ment was forthcoming from the white house to express his present stand.
 Arkansan in Delegation.
 All of the members who went to the white house were democrats and most of them supporters of the amendment there were several uncommitted. Tn the delegation was Representative Carraway of Arkansas. Each member told the president of the situation in his state. One said the presidents ad- vice would aid him in determining the question, and that many others were similarly situated. Representative Taylor spoke of the king of Belgium's advocacy of woman suffrage, of how England was pledged to it, and prob ably France. The president said the governor general of Canada, who had luncheon with him today, told him Canada was going to have woman suf- frage. Any member of congress op- posed to woman suffrage under any circumstances, the president said, ought not to vote other than his con- victions, but his own opinion was that this was the time to vote for the amendment. Woman suffrage leaders, elated over the presidents action, is- sued statements tonight ythe dozen. The house begins debate tomorrow on the Baker resolution for submis- sion of the Susan B. Anthony consti- tutional amendment to the states, un- der an agreement to end general de- bate at o'clock in the afternoon. A vote probably will be reached early in the evening.