Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 February 1916 — WILSON QUIETS TALK OF WAR IN CONGRESS [ARTICLE]

WILSON QUIETS TALK OF WAR IN CONGRESS

Wins Clash With Lawmakers on Warning Bill. TO UPHOLD AMERICAN HONOR ■ ' ' ( Refuses to Acquiesce in Measure Which Would Bar U. S. Citizens From Armed Ships—Situation With Berlin Improved. Washington, Feb. 25. President Wilson has triumphed for the present at least over the panic-stricken Democrats In congress, who, fearful of war with Germany, desired to pass a bill forbidding American travel on belligerent armed merchantmen. "No,” said the president through gritted teeth, "I shall not acquiesce in a measure which contemplates puti Ung a stain on American honor arid surrendering American rights. I shall continue to Insist that those rights be maintained in their full integrity.” Many Wild Reports Heard. The president needed to display all the firmness at his command in order to save a situation dynamic in ltd possibilities. Before congress bled at noon wild reports of every* conceivable character were in circulation, all apparently designed to Influx ence immediate action in favor of the anti-travel bill. There prevailed a condition of nervous tension In which anything might happen provided real leadership appeared. To quiet the nerves set aquiverlng by the bogie men, Secretary Lansing telephoned Congressman Flood, chair* man of the house foreign affairs committee, that the situation with Germany was easier. Postmaster Gen-_ eral Burleson, who conferred with, various house leaders, notified them, that the turmoil in congress was more apt to produce trouble than the course of the president. Dispatches have been received from Ambassador Gerard which indicate that the central powers will go slow: in enforcing the decrees which the president regards as objectionable. “I have been criticized all over the country,” he told one caller, "for my apparent failure to protect American life. lam determined that there shall be such protection.” New Warning to Kaiser. At the meeting of the cabinet today it is understood there will be considered the draft of a note to the central powers solemnly warning them that destruction of American life, under the proposed decrees, will lead to serious consequences. Clark and Kitchtn asked to see the president. Hour after hour they waited, but nd word came from the White House that their request would be 1 granted. The minutes grew into hours, day passed into night and still the speaker did not hear from the White House.' Finally at nine o’clock the speaker was advised the president would re-, •ceive him, Mr. Kitchin and Mr. Flood at nine o'clock in the morning. ' The only comment Mr. Kitchin would make for publication was the following dictated statement: "I hope the president and congress will get to- * gether on some proposition, so as to remove the demand for any resolution warning Americans to stay off armed ships of belligerents. If there is real, genuine co-operation between the two branches of the government—the executive and congress—l am sure such a proposition can be worked out. If so, there will be no trouble between the president and congress, and this country and Germany.”

Glass Hits Wilson Foes. Representative Carter Glass of Virginia, who is behind the president, made this statement, which indicated the state of feeling that exists: "There are a number of Democrats, on the floor who are trying to carry the party to ludl in a handcar, believing they are hauling a whole passenger train with them. Those who are responsible for this talk of opposition to the president are willing to haul down the American flag and disregard the rights of Americans on the high seas as long as they are able to sate a single bale of cotton." The Democrats are not alone in, advocacy of the bill forbidding American travel on armed belligerent vessels. A minority of the Republicans also indicated they would vote for it. Tn the senate Mr. Stone has admitted to his colleagues ■ that only half the Democratic senators would vote for the Gore bill and a poll of; the Republican senators disclosed that thirty out of the forty would back: the president. , To prevent. consideration of the

Gore bill the senate agreed to consider today only the routine business In the morning hour and immediately thereafter to take up the unfinished business. This will prevent a speech which Gore threatened to make yesterday.