Norwich bulletin., 1919-10-14
WASHINGTON AFFAIRS
Especial to The Bulletin).


 Washington, D. C.. Oct. 18th. Rogers of Massachusetts. has an in- teresting matter on the docket. in the request from the president and sec retary of state that the stringent pass port laws of time be extended gether with an appropriation of $780, GOO to carry on the work for the re- mainder of the present fiscal year, after which another biz appropria- ton would be asked for. Rogers is acting chairman of the foreign affairs committee and stated frankly to the secretary he did not believe American citizens should be hampered in their movement after the close of the war, although he saw no serious objection to extending the time for aliens. More over he believed the country and con- gress would be of the same opinion Referring to the matter to a little group of men Rogers afterwards said that personally he should want a pass
 port whenever travelling in Europe. He
 smiled broadly in recalling an experi-
 ence of his own. '1 know what it is
 to be looked upon as a person of
 doubtful character and be greeted by
 black looks while the rest of my party
 got smiles and deferential bows" said
 fairs committee. It seems some years
 ago Rogers made a trip to Europe in
 company with a little party. of 7distin
 guisned friends. They planned to visit
 Rusria and so provided themselves
 Sritl1 passports written by the Rus
 Sian consul in New York. It so hap-
 pened that the Russian wrote q crab
 bed l,,nd and the passports were. not
 closely examined until the men landed
 at St Petersburg after crossing from
 Stockholm. Then it was discovered
 that instead of the name John Jacob
 Rogers. the word John was followed
 by something entirely foreign to the
 rightful name of the representative of
 +, diStr icf c
 a result said NIT. Rogers" I was held
 back with black looks, frowns and re-
 garded with suspicion, while my com
 rades were hustled off to the next
 stopping place with much deference.
 After some barley I was put on parole
 for A hours. then later put on proba-
 ton for week meantime my friends secured around and got in touch with the American minister to Russia who immediately took a hand in securing my release. Very soon afterwards I was told that my behavior had been so exemplary that might go free and
 join my friends which I did with all
 the speed I could muster. I have been in Europe many times since. but never fail to see that my passport fits me to dot and is safe in my pocket"
 straws point to an early vote on the treaty. And by early is meant early in Novem Der, after which adjournment will undoubtedly be taken The last ditcher administration men declare they will kill it if amended or burdened with reservations; the last ditcher op- ponents declare they will kill it if it isn't. Both sides declare they have the necessary votes. but happily a compromise is likely to be reached, Stout reservations seem to have the right of way at this moment but here is the situation today: The treaty cannot pass in it's present form: The Shantung amendment may be accepted. The vote will be so close that it hangs on one or two votes at the most. Strong reservations are certain. The Shantung amendment is proving a sort of tug of-war game. with two or three wavering senators the victims. Some times one side and sometimes the other seems to pull with the most force. and matter of doubt till time is called. Uncle Joe Cannon, serving his 18th year in congress and S3 years old
 summed up in less than a score of taken senators hours of rearing de- nurciation ard much pounding of desks to express. Said he NO man can serve two masters. Having sworn undivided alle~iarcc to the Constitution I cannot divide it with the 1eagre of ma tions which would pool the interests of the T-nited States with every foreign na- tion."
 One by one democratic senators con tnue to rise in their seats and in eIo- Qucnt speeches urge stout reservations for the treat. Senator Walsh of Mass achusetts was the last so to do and he more than fulfilled his reputation of being a brilliant and convincing speak CT, who reach the heart of the peo- pie. Hearing him talk on the league, urging such reservations $ would pro- tect subject nations from oppression. 1t was easy to see how speaking have almost invaria bIy re- suited in election to whatever office he sought. He knows how to sway his audience and has to a marked deSree. the great gift of being dramatic i with the added power of seeming en- tirely unconscious that he is exercis- ing that gift. As the first democrat to be elected to the senate from Ma Massachusetts in the past half century, and known to be a good party man. 1 his attitude on the league has been | is an Irish catholic and made Shan tung, the equalization of voters and guarding Ireland against oppression | his main topics. In urging league i which would give subject peoples the | right to strive for freedom he talked | ike a true Irishman pleading the cause 1 of his own kith and kin. and he | touched the senate as no other man | has done in urging the same reserva- | lions. The no applause rule has been | strictly enforced lately and was brok- | an for the first time when Walsh 1 ceased talking. He had closed with | ! brilliant and patriotic climax. where l lpon the galleries instantly broke into i spontaneous applause which was ] quickly hushed by watchful attend l ants. The vice president pounded his ! savel vigorously and shouted Re !. move the offender When the guards l 1esitated to eject hundreds of ladies. ! soldiers in uniform and other we'll | meaning persons, the vice president i ost his temper and shouted Don't i stand there and scratch your heads what to do, Put 'um out" ! By that time quiet was restored and i hough no one was elected hundreds 'f men and women rose and quietly | eft the gallery satisfied to suffer , he penalty Of having paid tribute to ] he elocuence of the senator from Mas ] sachusetts. Taken all in all the open | debate on the league is developing a most remarkable assortment of "pka $ of chara on the part of the l senate and it's visitors.
 Senator Brandesee has made no so- i