The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-30
Steps Into the Breach at tho
Last Minute for the Bill.
In Speech in Senate This After.
noon He Pleads for 1t.
SAYS IT IS WAR MEASURE
Makes Personal Appeal When
Outlook for Bill Is Dark.
Actions Now win Speak and
Professions VIII Fail, He Says.

Washington. Sept. 3o.-President
Wilson today stepped into the breach
of the senate fight over the woman
suffrage resolution and in a personal
address in the senate chamber asked
for its passage as war measure.
Cannot Change Votes.
When it became known that the
president would address the senate
opponents of the resolution began q
series of conferences to discuss the sit
uation. Among those participating
were Democratic Leader Martin, Re-
publican Leader Lodge, Senator Over
man and Reed, all of whom have been
strongly opposed to the passage Of the
measure.
Asked whether in his opinion open
support by the president would result
in its adoption, Senator Martin de-
clared that it would be impossible to
change the votes which have been
pledged against the resolution.
Presidents Address.
as follows:
Gentlemen of the Senate:
The unusual circumstances of a
world war in which we stand and are
judged in the view npr only of our
.C0nSClenCea.
but also in the view of all nations and
peoples will I hope justify in your
thought, as it does in mine the uaes-
sage l have come to bring you.
regard the concurrence Of the
senate IN the constitutional amend
ment proposing the extension of the
suffrage to women as vitality essen
tial to the successful prosecution OF
the great war of humanity in which
we ara engaged. have come to urge
upon. you the considerations which
nave led me to that conclusion. 1t IL
not only my privilege it is also my
duty to apprfse you of every circum-
stance and element involved In this
momentous struggle which seems to
me to affect its very process and it's
outcome. 1t is my duty to win the
war and to ask you to remove every
obstacle that stands in the way Of
winning it. I had assumed that the
senate would concur in the amend
ment because no disputabIe principle
is involved, but only question of the
method by which the suffrage is to
be extended to,women. There is ana
can be no party issue involved in it.
| Both OF our great national parties are
pledged. explicitly pledged, to equality
OF suffrage for the women of the
country. Neither party, therefore. 1t
seems to me. can Justify hesitation as
to the method of obtaining it or can
rightfully hesitate to substitute fed
erai initiative for state initiative, IL
the early adoption of this measure is
necessary to the successful prosecution
of the war and IL the method OF state
action proposed in the party platforms
of 1916 is impracticable, or within
any reasonable length of time If prac-
tical at all.
Necessary to the War.
And it's adoption u.s. in my judgment,
clearly necessary to successful prose-
cution of the war and the successful
realization of the objects for which
the war is being fought. That judg-
ment take the liberty of urging upon
you with solemn earnestness for rea-
sons which shall state very frankly
and which shall hope will seem as
conclusive to you as they seem to me.
pies thinking constitutes its atmos.
phere and morale. not the predilec-
tions of the drawing room or the po-
litical considerations of the caucus.
If we be indeed democrats and wish
| to leave the world to democracy, we
can ask other peoples to accept in
proof of our sincerity and our ability
to lead them whittier they wish to be
led nothing less persuasive and con-
vincing than our actions. Our profess
sions will not suffice. Verffication
must be forthcoming when veriffca-
ton is asked for. And in this case
lverification Is asked for-asked for in
this particular matter. You ask by
| whom? Not thru diplomatic cham
nels; not by foreign minister's Not by
the limitations of pariiaments 1t is
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