El Nuevo mexicano., 1918-05-16
Passage Of Resolution
Construed as Lack of
Confidence Vote.
WANTS TO RUN
THIS MANS WAR
Sharp Reproof Given
Effort to Look Into
Aircraft Status.

(6y Leased Wire to New Mexican.)i
WASHINGTON, May 15.-ln a let
ter today to Senator Martin, Of vlr-
ginia, Democratic leader In the SEN
ate, President Wilson declared he
would regard passage of the Cham
berlain resolution, calling for an in
vestigation of aircraft and other wal
activities as "a direct vote of want
Of confidence in the administration"
and an attempt by congress to take
over conduct of the war"
Senator Chamberlain Indicated that
n the senate were to refuse to pass
an amended resolution giving the
military committee authority he
would not attempt to press the army
inquiries further.
Upon receipt Of the presidents let
ter, Senator Martin calls a dozen
prominent Democratic senators into
conference to discuss what disposition
should be made Of the Chamberlain
resolution. Considerable difference of
opinion was voiced. Some senators
said the resolution was subject to
the view that II might be used as au-
thorizine a general conduct Of the
war investigation.
Others contended its terms limited
the military committee solely to
army affairs. In consideration of the
Chamberlain resolutions the expendi-
lures committee called Senator Cham
berlain before it and at a spirited
session the Oregon senator disclaim-
ed that the military committee under
the resolution eve had any inten-
ton of holding any general inquiry
into the conduct Of the war"
with much showing Of feeling, Sen
ator Chamberlain told the committee
that ats whole and only purpose"
was formal and in accordance with
customary routine and also to give
the committee somewhat more power
than It had for past Investigations.
Senator Chamberlain said he was
ready ito take the whole question to
the floor of the senate" and make his
record" there.
Il developed at the meeting that
the military committee has held past
Inquiries by authority of a somewhat
similar resolution adopted early at
the present session of congress after,
however, the committee itself had
formally ordered the war inquiry be-
gun last December.
The Presidents Letter
II deem il my duty to say" the
presidents letter said. that I should
regard the passage of this resolution
as a direct vote of want Of conf
dence in the administration. The
purpose which it undoubtedly ex'
presses has been expressed again and
again in various forms during the
present session and has always seem
ed to originate in a rooted distrust Of
those who are at present in charge Of
the legislative functions of the gov
eminent. Those legislative functions
are very clearly understood. They
have been defined both by the con
stitution and by the long experience
and no one can doubt where the re
sponsibility for them lies Or what
the methods are by which those who
are responsible can be held to theil
duty.
Such activities on the part Of Q
particular committee of the senate as
this resolution would look forward tc
constitute nothing less than an at
tempt to take over the conductance
OF the war. or at the least to super
intend and direct and participate ia
the executive conductance Of it rs
to interfere in the most serious way
with the action of the constituted
executive. I protest most earnestly
against the adoption of any such
action and shall hope that every sen
ator who intends to support the pres
emit administration in the conductance
OF the wal will vote against 1t,
These are serious times and 1t is alb
solutely necessary that the lines
should be closely drawn between