Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-01-10
CHAPTER XIV
German Propaganda


Early in January, 1916, German
sympathizers throughout the coun-
try began a drive on both houses of
congress for the passage Of reso-
luton warning or forbidding Ameri-
cans to travel on passenger ships be-
longing to citizens or subiects~of the
belligerent nations. Petitions of va
rious kinds demanding vigorous &C.
ton in this matter began to pour in
upon us at the White House from va
rious parts of the country. While
these petitions were signed by many
devoted. patriotic Americans, it was
clear to those of us who were on the
inside Of affairs that there lay back
OF this movement a sinister purpose
on the part of German sympathizers
in this country to give Germany full
sway upon the high seas in order
that she might be permitted to car.
ry on her unlawful and inhuman
submarine warfare. This movement
became so intense that leading Dem.
ocratic and Republican senators and
representatives soon became its ar.
dent advocates, until it looked as if
the resolution might pass with only
small minority found in opnosI.
ton to it. Those of us who We're in
the executive offices and intimately
associated with the president kept in
close touch with the situation on
capitol Hill, and were advised that
the movement for the resolution was
III Iull SWING and that it could not be
checked. A resolution was finally
introduced by Representative McI1e.
more OF Texas, and quickly receiv-
ca the support of Senator Gore. of
OkIanoma, and Senator Stone. of
Missouri, chairman Of the COMMITTEES
on foreign relations. What the at.
tltude OF the president should be
toward 1t was the subject of discus.
sion between the president. two ~
MS cabinet officers and myself. after
a session of the cabinet early in FL
ruary, 1916. 40 : GU
The president was advised hv tho
eaollleC officers with whom he con.
would be hopeless task on his nart
10 attempt to stem the tide that
was now running in favor of the
passage of the McLemore resolution,
ana that were he to attempt to pre-.
vent Its passage it might result in
disastrous defeat of his leadership
that would seriously embarrass him
on capitol Hill and throughout the
nation.
Fighting McLemOre Resolution
AT the conclusion of this confer
ence the president asked me wheth-
er my information about affairs on
capitol Hill and the attitude OF the
members Of the house and senate to-
ward the McLemore resolution was
IN accord with the information he
mad just received from his cabinet
OFFICERS. told him that it was,
but that so far as was concerned
L did not share the opinion Of the
cabinet officers and did not agree
with the advice which they had vol
unteered to the effect that it would
be useless for him to throw down
the gage of battle to those who
sought to pass the McLemore resolu-
ton. informed him that regardless
OF what the attitude of those on
Capitol Hill was toward the resolu-
ton, he could not afford to allow
the matter to pass without a protest
from him, and that, indeed, he could
afford to be defeated in making a
fight to maintain American rights
upon the high seas. The discussion
between the president and cabinet
officers and myself became heated.
They were \ reluctant to have the
president go into the fight, while
I was most anxious to have him do
so. Evidently, what I said made an
impression upon the president, and
he asked me, as our conference was
concluded, to let him have as soon
as possible a memorandum contain
ing my views upon the subject.
ITO Ra Continually