The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-12-04
Republican Leader Says
President Should Have
Support of Congress.
ISSUE TOO VITAL
Declares There Will Be
No Concerted Effort
on Part Of Party to
Embarass Wilson.

Washington, Dec. 3.-Presi-
dent Wilson's last day in
Washington prior to his de-
parture on the peace mission to
Europe was marked by a con-
tinuation Of the fierce debate
in congress on the propriety
and the wisdom of his going.
The constitutional interpre-
tations against his leaving the
country were repeated with
heat and vigor. A resolution
TO declare his Office vacant was
thrown into the turmoil.
Another resolution to restrict
the peace commissioners to dis
cuss nothing beyond the re-
moval of the German menace
was put in, and all the prece-
dents and unwritten laws which
seem to bind the occupant of
the presidential office to re-
main within the confines of the
country were dug up and COM
mented upon in the senate and
by members of the house. The
debate and the oratorv brought
no response from the White
House.
The most significant devel-
opment Of the day was the Ia
suance Of a formal statement by
James r. Mann, the Republi-
can leader in the house, in
which he rebuked the members
of his party for. their attacks
nnone the president and conn
selled them to cease finding
fault with his trip to the peace
conference. It is evident from
the tone of Mr.. Mann's state
ment that he is of the opinion
that the fortunes of the Repub-
lican party will not be aided by
such attacks as those which
have been levclled at the presi-
dent during the past few days.
1t may mean that the Repub-
licans or, at least, the saner
minds among them, will refrain
from making any further COM
ment upon what the president
has done until it can be seen
how well he has performed the
task to which he has bent him
self as the leader of America S
peace delegation
This in Mr. Nann's statement:
Not In sympathy.
There will be no concerted effort
on the part Of the Republicans of the
house to embarrass the president In
any way while he IL abroad am OF
tha opinion that the American public
would not be in sympathy with any
attempt to ptn-prick the president
while he In abroad on 40 important
4 mission. Personally. I am not at
an In sympathy with any OF tho reso-
lutions which have appeared in tho
senate and house regarding the preai-
dents absence from Warrington or
his visit abroad.
Il cannot help what individuals
may do in the house, but the Repub-
Iican members Of the house as = body
will certainly make no concerted
move to embarrass or hamper the
president in any way while he is en-
cared abroad on mission that
Affects 80 vitality the interests OF the
American people. ! believe he should
have the support OF congress insofar
as those interests are involved and
that fractional strife ought not to be
uermittad to interfere with hla mis-
sion or to give the rest of the world
tho impression that the American
people are divided on issues involving
the peace of the world.
Congress will doubtless have q
number OF very important Legislative
questions to decide while the presi-
dent IL away, but In my judgment
thu presidents mission abroad IL of
do anything that might embarrass
him while he is over there. l am
opposed to any attempt to throw
rocks In his way. ! do not believe
ne should be hampered. but should
be given the fullest opportunity TO
carry out his mission successfully.
some Of the Republicans Of the
house dec/ned to be bound by Mr..
Mann's admonition. but Il II believed
that, for the most part, his advice will
So followed.
Lodge II Silent
"A similar statement was expected
from Senator Lodge. leader Of the
N16ubitcAng IN the S9nxtes but no HAfd
- had NO statement to make. II
= underwood. however. that those
Who are trying % ret the party mem
kern n some Kind Of shape to control
\ ~ or6nninnAioa q thu next senAt1
! 49, -, 81.