Springfield weekly Republican. [volume], February 08, 1917, Page 6, Image 6

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SPRINGFIELD, THURS. FEB. S, 1917
FOURTEEN PAGES
Germany’s Motive
That Germany acted upon a definite
theory is a matter of course, for that
Is the German way. To puzzle out
' the theory, however, is another mat
ter, for German statecraft is not only
; subtle, sometimes over-subtle, but
complicated; any course finally taken
is to be regarded as the resultant of
many forces each of which has been
carefully analyzed and fitted into its
piece in the problem. Yet even the
; most intricate motives may sometimes
be read if the clew is given, and a
I purely rational or mechanistic deci
sion from which moral and sentimen
tal factors have been excluded, may be
more susceptible of analysis than de
cisions in which the heart as well as
the head has had a share. The truest
view of German action, as tested by
events, has been that of those who
have considered the German state as
all head and no heart. Its apologies
for Its actions baffle the understand
ing. but the actions themselves are
only difficult to explain if we look
| for motives which in the German the
ory are excluded, such as pity, scruple
or good faith. The actual decision is
in terms of actual forces, so that
the problem is objective, and the psy
chological question involved, instead
of being deep is in reality almost elim
inated; it is conceivable that a deci
sion by the German state might be
reached by a calculating machine.
To this fundamental principle we
may add the observation that German
statecraft is usually based on what is
meant to be a “sure thing.” If a given
course promises two or more alterna- i
tlve results, each outcome has been
foreseen and provided for. Let us
anply this principle to the beginning
of the war. If Servia yielded, an
other step in the pan-German program
would be accomplished without blood
shed- If France and Russia resisted. ।
the German general staff had provided 1
tor their swift defeat. Which cut
come the German government pre
ferred we cannot tell nor does Mils
greatly matter; it did not move til!
it felt reasonably sure of gaining its
ends however the cards might fall.
In regard to England, the calculat
ing machine slipped a cog. but that
chance, too, had been allowed for. Un
doubtedly all but a few naval enthusi
nsts for the "Day" would have pre
ferred to have England keep out. to
be dealt with later, but the plan for
the invasion of Belgium had not ig
nored the chance of intervention bv
England, and the refusal to recon
sider the march through Belgium was
based on the calculation that even
England, a powerful but unready na
tion. could not intervene in time 1>
prevent a German victory. Are we
far wrong if we assume a similar cal
culation in the case of the United
States? Its hostility would be regret
ted precisely as the hostility of Eng
land was regretted, but only as being,
as the German press puts it. the less:r
ot two evil*.
It is probably true, as Herr Zim
mermann says, that Germany regrets ;
the course taken by President Wilson.;
Thi theory that it was intended to j
force the United States into the war
to serve German ends is irrational,
simply because the time for such a
desperate measure has not come. Quite
conceivably if defeat should stare
Germany in the face it. would wish to
embroil the whole world in order to
yield with better grace to a force
majeure and to have disinterested na
tions at the peace congress. But the
time for that has not come Germany
is not riding for a fall, but shaping a
course to win, and the decision in re
gard to U-bpats was no doubt correct
ly described by the chancellor as tak
en tn the interest of victory.
When we turn to consideration of
the more definite ends sought we have
to remember the habitual doppio
giuocco or playing it both ways which
Is characteristic of Germany policy.
In this case it is tolerably safe to as
that the disappointment in Ger
! many over President Wilson s course
1* due to th* fact that the more favor
oble turn of the cards has not oc
curred. What hsd been hoped for is
npMlally Clear In the comment from
Vienna. The Neue Freie Frosse says
th»t -President Wilson, “could have
'ended the war by a stroke of the
’pen without violation ot neutrality or
•oven materially harming Great Brit
‘atjb* Much German comment la in
the Mime vein. The Cologne Gazette
deplores that President Wilson is "un
: fwUling CP-operate In preventing
y^Tther misery and sacrifice.” and re-
thgt "the United States has
■mtssed the chance to rauder human
|ygHyya prectoua service as a broker ot
In the same vein the socialist
i paper Vorwaerts. which defends the
new U-boat war. declares that it is an
obligation of neutrals “to make the
‘belligerents conclude a firm and just
'peace.”
The general tone of German and
! Austrian comment suggests irresisti •
| bly that the dominant motive may
I have been the belief that savagery at
! sea would make the position of neu
i trals so intolerable that they would
; take action to stop the war. Whether
: Germany would have acted with quite
such brutal brusqueness if it had
known with certainty how President
Wilson would act. we cannot be sure;
it may be that the very extravagance
of the proclamation was designed to
terrify neutrals into forcing the allies
to make a German peace. Put it is
improbable that this hazard would
have been taken if the naval experts
had not promised a balance of advan
tages in ruthless warfare even if the
greater play for victory should fail to
come off.
We may be almost mathematically
certain that a speedy and overwhelm
ing victory such as the chancellor
pictured to the Reichstag committee is
not counted on by those who know,
or Germany would not have been
moving heaven and earth to get neu
trals to Intervene for peace. It fol
lows logically that primarily the
new resort to terrorism was an
effort to coerce neutrals into using
their power to compel peace, and only
secondarily and perhaps dubiously a
stroke to end the war by starving
England. On the whole it amounts
to a confession that if neutrals do not
help Germany to secure a peace on
such terms as it is ready to make, the
hope of getting it is so slight as to
force, the taking even of desperate
chances, the case being so bad that
even the making of new enemies
would not greatly matter. For if Ger
many expected to crush England
quickly it would not have needed neu
tral help; if on the other band it ex
pected to be able to hold out for a
long time, the potential strength of
the United States would matter a
great deal. Germany’s course sug
gests very strongly that the end is
near.
At Washington
The eyes of the country, in these
tense hours, are focussed on Washing
ton. The city and those who there
; shoulder the burden of national as
■ fairs offer a fascinating study, some
| thing of a warning and very much of
I a wholesome example to us all.
The president, not more through his
office than through a leadership now
seen. beyond cavil, to have been far
sighted and wise, is the great central
figure of the drama. Firm in his re
solve that no possibility of peace, hon-
Orably preserved on the conditions he
has made known to the world, shall be
thrown away, he has set himself
against any hasty and ill-considered
act which might be based on assump
tions that time would later prove un
justified. How necessary is such an
attitude is shown by the fact that
twice already since the severance of
relations with Germany, reports have
come which at first indicated the com
mission of the "overt act” against the
consequences of which Germany stands
warned. If we are forced into the
war it is to be with “clean hands” and
with, a record from which there will
; be for Germany no escape at the bar
। of history.
Such leadership, at the same time
that wise preparations are made, is
a matter not merely of words and
acts but of serene firmness of spirit
and steady nerves. Here, whatever
the final issue, is where Mr Wilson
sets before the country its most valu
able example, since it is he alone
upon whom falls the duty of ordering
that embassadors be handed their
passports or of laying before Congress
conditions still graver. Men who have
seen the president within the past
36 hours have been struck by the
fine vigor of his physical condition,
despite the gravity into which his
face relapses when he is not telling]
or listening appreciatively to some
anecdote. Whatever may be the
opinion of the promotion of Dr Gray
son, the White House physician, he
has done his work well and by in
sisting upon relaxation and exercise
has kept the president fit for these
hours of fiery trial. In the early
days of the war Lord Kitchener, be
fore the raising of his armies, told the
British that it was by "keeping fit"
that they could best serve their coun
try. That is good advice for Ameri
cans to-day; we shall be less -likely
to be rushed unduly into conflict,
we shall be more effective it no
choice is left us.
As always, advice from the arm
chair "generals” is available without
limit to those in charge at Wash
ington of our military establish
ments. Before the war with Spain
the anecdote was current of an appli
cant for an officer's commission who
on being asked if he "had ever led
'anything” replied that he "had often
led a cotillion." So now a so-called
"expert,” of unstated qualifications,
has been quoted in Washington to the
effect that 3.000.000 men should be en
listed at once and gathered in training
camps—if not by the day after to
morrow. then very soon after. Mean
time the army and navy authorities,
particularly the latter, are working
literally night and day on those prepa
rations for the perfection of present
organization which will actually be of
first value if war comes and which,
while being quietly but indefatigably
carried on. add least to the sinister
psychology of the situation as an in
dication that She die is irrevocably
cast.
It has already been pointed out in
The Republican's special dispatches
from Washington that the report of
the army war college upon which dhe
preparedness campaign was base# a
year ago, net two months as the time
In which a superior navy might de
stroy our fleet and so clear the way
for invading force to he expected
after Khat time. But the present «[it
uatlo^ Is that the German fleet is
THE SPRINGFIELD WEEKLY REPUBLICAN: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1917
cooped up by the fleet under Sir David
Beatty, and that even if it should per
form the miracle of defeating this
greatly superior adversary, it would
inevitably so suffer in the encounter as
to require months of refitting before
undertaking a transatlantic adven
ture. What, at this time, it is neces
sary and wise to do is being done at
Washington.
Poubt About the Hancock House
R. Clipstcn Sturgrs, the Boston ar
chitect, has filed some exceptions to
comment made on the proposed repro
duction of the John Hancock house,
and we are glad to give them right
of way. To the statement that “the
‘first assurance was that the cost
‘would not be more than $75,000, but
the estimate appears to have been
‘doubled since that time,” Mr Sturgis
replies; —•
The only estimates of the John Han
cock house were made bv me; the
first was SBO,OOO. Later when I had
estimated on granite and marble I
placed it at SIOO,OOO. This includes
the house complete and all the
grounds—the lot is 95.000 square feet
— gardens, garden walls and planting.
It should be said, by way of explana
tion. that $75,000 was the sum named
by Gov McCall in conversation, while
it was noted that the figure for re
storing the old house and making a
governor’s mansion of it, as it ap
peared before the House committee on
ways and means, as given by a care
ful state-house writer, was $135,000.
To the. remark that “nobody knows
‘how’ such a building w’ould look in
‘relation to the completed state-house
‘wings and grounds’’ Mr Sturgis an
swers:—
The architects surely know. They
have studied it with care and it is
their business to be able to visualize
such things. To enable those not so
trained to visualize it, models of the
state house, its new wings, its com
pleted grounds and the Hancock house
have been and are on view at t*he state
house.
The visualization of architects has not
always been found beyond challenge
in the revealed event. Nor do the
models on exhibition in the state house
by any means satisfy all who see
them. The unconvinced Boston Globe
says:—•
After the work now' in process of
tearing down buildings on the west
side of the state house is completed we
shall know more how the two great
marble wings will look freed from sur
rounding buildings. It would then be
time enough to consider whether it
would be possible to put a curious old
fashioned building on the property
wi^hout doing violence to the most ele
mentary sense of taste. . .
No matter how heterdox architects
may regard that kind of skepticism,
there are many who share it. Edward
T. Hartman writes in the Boston
Herald: —
The buildings now being removed
from in front of the sbate house are
being removed in compliance with a
desire to provide a satisfactory set
ting for the state house itself. It is at
best too much shut in. It has no
proper setting. If it is good to put
public buildings where they may have
a proper setting, why destroy the lit
tle effort that has been made by again
covering the site which is now being
freed from buildings?
Ib may be that the John Hancock
house might look right, despite the
doubts, but nothing would be lost by
waiting for full assurance on that
point.
To our further remark that “there
‘has been plenty of fumbling with
‘state-house additions and so-called
‘improvements and no more should be
‘invited at this stage”—all this in the
light of the necessity for guarding
against an excessive state tax —Mr
Sturgis comments: —
If there has been “fumbling” it has
been due divided control and au
thority. The three architects have
been steadily on the work for four ■
years and during that time have i
worked with the following commission- i
ers: Messrs Pedrick, Langtry and
Stevens; Kang-try, Russell and McNeik '
Kelliher, McNeil and Fuller; Pedrick, i
Langtry and Burrill —and their work '
has been subject to review and change
by bhree administrations, that of Gov ;
Foss, of Gov Walsh and of Gov Me- '
Call. Notwithstanding this the build- j
ings have been erected well within the
estimated amounts and the appropria- ,
tions. which is not always so with j
public work. The proposed Hancock ■
house is a large building, covering
3800 square feet and containing 180.-
000 cubic feet, and my estimate of the
cost of SIOO,OOO is, I hope, consenra
tive and safe.
What we said about “fumbling” re
ferred to the whole process of state
house reconstruction. There was in
I mind chiefly the great fight which was
■ necessary to save the Bulfinch front
and the planning and building of the
first enormous addition in the rear of
the fine old building, wherein archi
tectural ambition appropriated great
spaces so that when all was done
commissions with rented offices were
left outside Mie capitol building. That
is why the wings are needed. It had been
supposed by the unsuspecting that the
great sums expended would avail to
provide for all the business of the com
monwealth that really belongs in the
capitol. The architects have done well
bheir part in holding the cost of the
present work on Beacon hill during
the past four years within their esti
mates, despite any “fumbling” due to
circumstances beyond their control,
but after all is Said architects, like the
rest of us, may misjudge new and
then.
CIVIL-SERVICE BILL
Representative Keating of Colorado
Introduces Women’s Measure
Representative Keating of Colorado
has introduced into the House of Rep
resentatives a resolution to secure a
square deal for the women In the
federal civil-service. The charge has
peen repeatedly made that discrimin
ation is practiced against women in
the federal civil-service. It is report
ed that the civil-zervice commission
Is advertising examinations for ste
nographers and typewriters, to be held
monthly in 400 cities and that wom
en are barred from these examina
tions. Mr Keating says: "I feel that
the time has come to insist upon fair
treatment for women In the service,
and I Intend to keep the matter be
fore the House and the country in
every proper way."
President Wilson at Washington
last week nominated the following
captains in the navy to be rear ad
mirals: Harry McP. Huae. Robert 8.
Griffin, George B. Burd. James H.
Oliver. John Hood and William 8.
Sims.
THE BREAK COMES
WITH GERMAN EMPIRE
PRESIDENT TAKES ACTION
PASSPORTS TO BERNSTORFF
Grave Warning to Germany
Against Any Overt Act—Neu
tral Governments No
tified
President Wilson Saturday severed
diplomatic relations with Germany
and in an address before a joint ses
sion of Congress issued a grave warn
ing to Germany against any overt act
under its new policy of ruthless sub
marine warfare. The intimation in
the event of such an act is war.
One of the most important develop
ments of the day was the seizure by
the United States government of many
of the German vessels in American
ports, both auxiliary cruisers that
had been interned and merchant ves
sels that had sought refuge from the
British cruisers at the beginning of
the war.
Passports have been handed to
Count von Bernstorff; Embassador
Gerard with all his staff and Amer
ican consuls have been ordered out
of Germany. All German consuls in
the United States are expected to
withdraw so that the severance of
relations may become complete.
American diplomatic interests in
Berlin have been turned over to
Spain; German diplomatic interests
in the United States have been taken
over by Switzerland. Foreign diplo
matic interests which the United
States had in charge in Germany have
been turned over to various neutrals.
Has Always Led to War
Two years of diplomatic negotia
tion, marked with frequent crises,
and attended with the loss of more
than 200 American lives on the high
seas, have culminated with an act
which in all the history of all the
world has always led to war. Every
agency of the American government
has been set in motion to protect the
country against acts of German sym
pathizers. These moves are of neces
sity being kept secret.
With the notice of severance of re
lations the United States sent to Ber
lin a demand for the immediate re
lease of 64 Americans taken from
ships captured by German raiders in
the south Atlantic.
At the request of the president.
Congress immediately after hearing
his address began work on new lews
framed by the department of justice
to check conspiracies and plots
against the United States which can
not now be reached under existing
statutes.
The question of convoying Ameri
can merchant ships through the sub
marine blockade has been taken up
and is being considered as one of the
next moves by this government.
Neutral governments have been
notified of the action of the United
States and have openly been invited te
follow its action if the new subma
rine campaign violates their rights.
The breaking off of relations came
with a crash, despite the fact that it
had been discounted, and virtually de
termined upon Friday night. The
president returned from his night con
ference with the senators determined
that a break in relations was the only
act "consistent with the dignity and
the honor of the United States.” He
worked most of the night preparing
his address to Congress.
The Address to Congress
President Wilson kept himself in
seclusion during the morning, except
for a brief conference with Secretary
Lansing, until he left the White House
for the capitol shortly before 2 o’clock.
In preparation for the history-making
event, the Senate and House had as
sembled in the .hall of the latter body.
Justices of the supreme court had
seats on the floor, the cabinet sat in
a reserved snace. -;::ibai'''dnr Jusser
and of France occupied his reserved
seat in the dip’omatic gallery which
was packed, principally with neutrals,
who came to hear words of far-reach
ing importance affecting their own
government.
As usual, a committee of congress
men met the president and escorted
him to the speaker's dais. The whole
body rose and cheered as the president,
acknowledging t'.ieir greeting without
his usual smile, but grim-faced and
solemn, took his place at the clerk’s,
desk and began reading the document
which is being heard 'round the world.
Not a sound came from floor or gal
leries but the clear calm tones of the
president reading slowly and distinct
ly. The assemblage of senators, rep
resentatives and notables about him
listened with closest attention to his
words.
Briefly he reviewed how last April
the United States warned Germany,
after the destruction of the Sussex,
that unless the imperial government
declared and effected an abandonment
of that sort of submarine warfare She
United States would have no choice
but to sever diplomatic relations al
together. Then he quoted from the
German reply which gave assurances
that no ships would be sunk without
warning and provision for safeby of'
passengers and crew. He recounted
the provision the German government
attached, which in effect reserved to
tbselt the right to recant its promises
if the United States did not secure
relaxation of the British restraints on
commerce and then quoted from the
reply of the United States which re
fused to consider a conditional pledge
and gave Germany final warning that
it could not entertain or discuss any
such suggestion.
The president did not refer to the
long list of submarine operations,
which have been conducted in viola
tion of the Sussex pledges, but pro
ceeded aS once to the new war zone
order which became effective the Ist.
Cheers When Break Is Announced
When he told how the German proc
lamation left nothing for the honor
and dignity ot the United States but a
break in relations and that he bad
ordered passport)* sent to Von Bern
storff and a recall to Mr Gerard, the
I assemblage broke into a cheer in
J which republicans and democrats alike
I Joined. More applause greeted bls
| declaration that only an overt act
could now convince him that Germany
Intended to violate American lives and
rights and there was prolonged ap
plause and cheering when he conclud
ed by announcing that should Ameri
can ships and lives be sacrificed “In
heedless contravention of the just and
reasonable understanding ot interna
tional law and the obvious dictates of
humanity” he would again appear be-
i fore Congress to ask authority to “use
■ any means that may be necessary for
the protection of our seamen and our
people.”
As he concluded there were cheers
of approval from both sides of the
chamber, and the president returned
to the White House to discuss meas
ures of precaution with Secretary
Daniels of the navy and Secretary
Baker of the war department. There
were expressions of support and ap
proval of the president's course. As
the joint session dissolved both houses
went back to their work.
German Embassador Guarded
Soon after Count von Bernstorff's
passports arrived United States secret
service men threw a guard about the
embassador and his suite to make
certain that the hospitality' of the
United States Is not violated while,
he remains on American soil. The
status of Count Tarnowski, the Aus
trian embassador, was undecided, al
though he called at the state depart
ment to arrange for presenting his
credentials to President Wilson.
For months, ever since relations
with Germany became acute, there
have been ominous signs of threat
ened activities of German sympa
thizers and disloyal Americans If
diplomatic relations were broken off.
The administration has not been un
mindful of these. Various brandies
of the government have informed
themselves on the subject, and offi
cials express themselves as satisfied
that they will be able to cope with
the situation. In the army and navy,
and in the citizenship generally, of
ficials realize that the composite
character of American nationality
makes it difficult not to find some
persons who will express sympathy
with the land of their birth.
The attempt to sink the torpedo
boat Jacob Jones at Philadelphia Sat
urday is recognized as an instance
of some of the things which may be
expected, but. on the whole, all the
agencies of the government believe
they have made preparations to meet
such exigencies or are prepared to,
meet them as they arise.
Discouraging- Word From Germany
Hope that Germans’ might at the
last moment modifs' her declaration
of unrestricted submarine warfare
was almost dissipated Monday by
news dispatches from Berlin, which
gave the word of high German officials
that there would be no turning back.
With that hope waning, American
officials now only wait an actual
demonstration of how the decree will
affect American rights. The news
< f the killing of an American seaman
in the shelling of the boats of the
British steamer Eavestone is not now
regarded as the feared overt act. It
will be thoroughly’ investigated before
it is assigned to its proper place as a
factor in the situation.
President Wilson is determined that
there shall be no word or deed in
America's relations with Germany to
merit a reproach, even from Germany
herself, said a dispatch from Wash- ]
ington Monday night. Nothing is to
be done which is not fully justified by
the laws of nations and humanity;
nothing is to be done for expediency;
nothing is to be done which is not le
gal and just. With a hope for peace,
and a readiness to meet war if it
must he, the president has made it
clear to all his officials that the course
of the United States, difficult as it is.
must be entirely beyond criticism. To
that end German rights and property
in the United States are to have full
protection of law. and the president
wishes every American citizen to for 4
bftar from any thought or act which
might lead his country nearer to war.
Case of Austria Undetermined
Meanwhile Austria’s case still is un-.
determined: While It is known that
the dual monarchy ha s officially ad
hered to Germany's declaration as it
now stands before the- state depart
ment. her announced intentions are
somewhat different from Germany's,
but it is doubtful if there can be a
real distinction. Rupture of relations
with Austria seems no less certain
than it did. but the situation must go
through definite processes before a de
cision is announced.
Although engrossed in the task of
preparing the country- for any eventu
ality. President Wilson has not lost
sight of the participation the neutrals
must have in the terms of peace
terms which he fondly hopes will in
sure the world against another con
flagration.
There are intimations of thoughts ।
of a conference of neutrals to reach
an agreement on what neutrals may
ask when the time comes. It is known
that this suggestion is being pressed
by at least one of the European neu
trals which has been among the chief
sufferers from the war. and it is be
lieved that President Wilson has re
garded it with favor. It is realize^,
however, that the idea js. still In
nebulous form.
Preparations for the departure of
Count von Bernstorff and his staff
progressed to the point where it was
decided that the former embassador,
as well as all the German consuls in
the United States —a party of upward
of 300 —will go home by the shortest
route, probably through Holland or
Denmark. It was first proposed that
they go by way of Cuba and Spain
and thence through France and Italy
into Switzerland, but the British gov
ernment is willing to grant the re
quest of the United States for a safe
conduct through the allied blockade
only by the shortest, and most direct
route. The Swiss legation is arrang
ing the details of the departure, and
the Germanp party is expected to be
on its way next week.
Many Factories and Mills Offered to
Government
The navy department issued, a list
of prompt offers reaching Secretary
Daniels, on which appeared the names
of the Bethlehem steel company. Fore
River shipbuilding company. Electric
cable company of New York. Slocum
Avicum and Slocum laboratories, in
corporated, of New York. Lackawanna
steel company of New York. Boston
scale and machine company. Magnolia
metal company of New York, Bern
stein manufacturing company of Phil
adelphia. Wabash gear works of Ter
re Haute. Ind,. Roberts numbering
machine company of Brooklyn. Unit
ed States rubber company of New
York, Aero club of America, Great
Lakes boat building corporation of
Milwaukee. Boston and Maine rail
road, Pittsburg Hickson company,
Staten Island shipbuilding companv
and Kearfoot engineering company of
New York.
Ten members of the volunteer aerial
coast patrol have asked to be per
mitted to take an advance course of
training in naval aeronautics under
the navy department. They are ready
to buy ihoir own machines and report
anywhere for training.
In the effort to speed up naval
construction, a decision must first be
reached as to what type, of building
is to be given preference. This Is a
purely military question founded on
the probable nature of attack to be
expected and defense that can be
maintained. Indications are that
energy would be concentrated on
building submarines for coast de
fense work and submarine chasers for
antisubmarine patrol and escort duty.
It is even possible that construction
of some heavy ships now building
would be suspended temporarily in
order to release skilled labor for
more urgent work.
Censorship Legislation
There were further Intimations at
Washington Monday that general
censorship legislation would be among
the first enactments sought in the
event of war. Increased precautions
already have been taken by naval
censors at radio plants. The censor
ship was set up for neutrality pur
poses but now serves as a military
measure.
Secretary Daniels Monday turned
over to Lieut Charles Belknap, Jr.,
of the naval operation bureau, the
work of reviewing navy department
advices and making public those
which do not fall under the ban of
military secrecy. The secretary will
continue his daily conference with
press representatives and Secretary
Baker resumed that custom yester
day. Lieut Belknap will aid the press,
however, in obtaining quick action on
questions that arise. Maj Douglas
MacArthur has been exercising these
functions in the war department ever
since the border crisis. x
LITERACY TEST LAW
IS PASSED OVER VETO
DIVISION IS NOT PARTISAN
Action of Senate Ends 20 Years’
Fight to Restrict Immigration
—Reed Tells of Japanese
Attitude
Congress has overridden a veto by
President Wilson at Washington for
the first time and enacted into law
the immigration law with its long
fought literacy test provision. The
Senate voted late Monday, 02 to 19.
to pass the measure notwithstanding
the veto and in spite of eleventh hour
information that Japan had again
protested against the language of the
Asiatic exclusion section. The House
overturned the veto last week by a
vote of 257 to 100. so the Senate’s
action ends the contest of 20 years
standing in which three presidents
he c renudiated similar bills passed
by Congress. Party lines were not
drawn.
The international situation was
brought into the closing Senate de
bate, Senator Reed of Missouri call
ing attention to the Japanese objec
tion and pleading that nothing be
done at this time to disturb or impair
the country's relations with a friendly
nation. Senator Smith of South Caro
-I'ne, chairman of the immigration
committee, answered with the declara
tion that the nresent state of inter
national affairs emphasized the neces
sity for a pure, homogeneous American
people such as the bill was intended
to protect.
The literacy test provided for in the
bill excludes from the United States
all aliens over 16 physically capable
oi reading, who cannot read the Eng
lish language or some other language
or dialect including Hebrew or Yid
dish. Any admissible alien, however,
or any citizen of the United States
may bring in or send for his father
or grandfather, over 55. his wife,
mother, grandmother or unmarried or
widowed daughter, if otherwise ad
missible. regardless of whether such
relatives can read.
Immediately after the Senate’s ac
tion. Representative Gardner of "Mas
sachusetts introduced in the House a
new immigration measure to limit the
number of aliens coming into this
country to. a. total of 200.000 in excess
of the outgoing aliens.
The administration already has suc
cessfully. used its influence to prevent
Passage of antialien land bills in
Oregon and Idaho, objected to by
Japan, an a desire not to agitate
relations with Janan now is evident in
all administration quarters. This is
accentuated by the favorable reception
in Japan of President Wilson’s, action
in breaking off diplomatic relations
with Germany, .which has been most
gratifying to. the government.
Only 30 vetoes have been overridden
in the history of the United States,
and but four of them have been
within the past 35 years. In 1882
Congress passed a river and habor
bill over. President Arthur’s veto. In
1886. one of 524 pension bjls vetoed
by Cleveland was force/ through
Congress. In Roosevelt's administra
tion a bill to .extend time for con
struction of a dam on the Rainy river
in Minnesota was passed, despite ex
ecutive disapproval, and President
Taft’s rejection of the Webb-Kenyon
interstate commerce liquor law was
repudiated.
JAPAN AGREEABLE
Immigration Act Suits—Neither
Side Fears Further Friction
About Exclusion of Asiatics
It Is stated ■ authoritatively that
there is a perfect understanding at
Washington - between the United
States and Japan on the working of
the new immigration law. and that
on neither side is there any appre
hension of friction or difficulty. A
careful study of the law discloses
no discrimination against Japan, and
no provision for their exclusion. from
the United States.
Under the Rcot-Takahira agree
ment. Japanese coolies are kept out
by the act of their own government
in denying them passports but not by
any act of the United States govern
ment. The fact that the new law
provides for the continued exclusion
of aliens “now in any way” excluded
from entry to the United States does
not affect Japanese because these
remain away of their own volition
and not through prohibition imposed
by the United States. Under 'this
understanding the Japanese govern
ment has refrained from any pro
test against the act in its final form,
though inquiry was made to clear
up the exact meaning of that part.
REVENUE BILL PASSES
Republicans, Progressives and So
cialists Solidly Against Admin
istration Measure
The administration revenue bill,
framed at Washington to meet the
prospective treasury deficit next year,
was passed by the House late Thurß*
'ay by i,
goes to the Senate, where it will be
taken up In a few days.
Republicans, whose attacks on the
bill and demands for a return to high
er tariff rates had featured the de
bate. voted solidly against the meas
ure and were tolned by the progres
sives; Representative I.ondon of New
York, the socialist, and tour demo
crats. 'Representatives . Caldwell of
New York. Callaway of Texas, and
Doughton and Pages of North Caro
lina. Voting with the democratic ma
jority were Representative Kent of
California, independent, and Randall
of California, prohibitionist.
BACKS WILSON UP
CONGRESS APPROVES
COMMENDATION IS WARM
Senator Lodge and Weeks Among
Those Who Says He Did
the Right Thing
Leaders in Congress, without re
gard to politics, expressed freely Sat
urday their approval of President
Wilson’s course and of his address.
Vice-President Marshall said: “If
the president has to deliver the other
address he spoke of. you will find the
sentiment of the country has crystal
lized behind him oh the address he
made to-day. The American people is
an easy-going people, but when it gets
its back to the wall it will fight.”
Senator Stone, chairman of the for
eign relations committee: “I' think
there are two things we should do
now as far as it is possible—keep our
heads level and our mouths closed.”
Senator Lodge, ranking republican
member of the foreign relations com
mittee: “I most thoroughly approve
and cordially support the president in
giving the German embassador his
passports and in recalling our embas
sador from Berlin. It is the right
thing to do, and is demanded both by
the honor and the safety of the Ameri
can people,”
Speaker Clark: “I do not think
there is going to be any war. I do
not think the. Germans will blow up
any of our ships. I think the presi
dent stated the conditions, exactly.”
Republican Leader Mann: "I do net
see how the president could do any
less. lam very glad he did not pur
pose to do anv more.”
Senator Kern, the democratic Sen
ate leader: “I believe the American
people are behind the president to a
man, and Congress certainly is. There
is nothing more to be done, of course,
until some tangible program is pre
sented to Congress. The business of
Congress now is to await develop
ments.”
Senator Weeks of Massachusetts:
"I think it is the best address the
president ever made. He could not'
say more and he could not say less.”
Representative Flood, chairman of
the House foreign affairs committee:
“The president’s course was wise, and.
I am sure has the approval of the
country. I have talked with many
members of the House, and it is prac
tically solid in approving his, course.
The president could not have done less
and was wise not to do more at this
time.”
Senator Gallinger: "Of course, if
Germany sinks an American ship or
takes an American life, we shall have
to fight. But we should view the situ
ation ;Calmly. dispassionately and hope
fully. The presiden’s message was ad
mirable.” .
Senator Reed, democrat: . ‘.'There
Was rto alternative for the president.
A greSt nation cannot permit a foreign
potentate to mark out the lanes
through the ocean over which he will
graciously permit commerce to be
borne. A nation which loses its self
respect will soon lose it's independ
ence.”
Senator Smoot, republican: "I ap
prove of the president's position out
lined in his address and believe if the
same attitude had been taken by the
president a year and a half ago, we
would have saved the country a great
deal of humiliation and would have
been better understood by the other
nations of the earth.” ,
Senator Cummins, republican: "I
entirely approve of the president’s
course. I do not see how he could
have done anything else in view of
the American position. Whether, or not
war comes depends of course, on
whether Germany carries out her
threat. I agree with the president in
the belief that Germany will not go
that far.”
Senator Chamberlain, chairman of
Senate military committee: "The
president has done all that could be
done. Now it is up to Germany.”
Senator Brandegee, republican: “I
approve the recall of Embassador
l Gerard from Berlin and the dismissal
i of the German embassador from this
country. The administration would
have stultified itself it' it had failed to
sever diplomatic relations.”
Democratic Leader Kitchin made
the first remark on the presidents
address yesterday: "I don’t bellere
the president could have said or done
less and I am greatly gratified lie
didn't do or say more. He has given
Germany the last chance to avoid con
flict with the. United States. All true
Americans hope it is a chance' she will
take.”
"Now we must look out for some
thing like Dewey at Manila,” re
marked Senator Sheppard of Texas.
"The president has done the only
thing that any self-respecting nation
could do." said Senator Reed of Mis
souri.
"I approve the president’s action,”
said Senator Poindexter, republican.
“I think the country will Unitedly
support it. It was the only thing to
do.”
“We have to show our virility as a
nation." asserted Senator Saulsbury,
democrat. “Any other course would
merely be a postponement of what we
are doing now.”
SUPPORT IN THE SENATE
Republican Leaders Agree—ln
dorsement of President’s Action
in Resolution That Will Be
Passed
A resolution Indorsing President
Wilson’s action In severing diplomatic
relations with Germany was intro
duced in the Senate at Washington
Monday by Senator Stone, chairman
of the foreign relations committee,
emphasizing particularly the presi
dent's expressed desire to maintain
peace The text of the resolution fol
lows: —
Whereas, the president has, for the rea
sons stated In his address delivered to the
Congress In Joint session on February B.
ini*, severed diplomatic relations with
the Imperial German government hr the
recall of the American emhnss'adnr at
Berlin and by handing Ills‘nil«»pWt* to
the German embnsendor at WgaMogttou.
nnd ■
Whereas, notwithstanding this severance
of diplomatic Intercourse, the president
has expressed his desire to avoid ■•'in
flict with the imperial German govern
tnent. and
Wbereue, the president declared 4a this
...a?'l., —t:
'aid address that If In his mrrgment «n
occasion should arise for further .action
iif the Ptentises on the part of the govern
ment of the United States he would sub
mit the matter to Congd-Ss and ask the
authority of Congress to use such meas
ures as he might deem necessary for pro
tection’-of American seamen and people
In the prosecution of their peaceful, and
legitimate errands on the high seas.
Therefore be It resolved. By the Senate
that the Senate approve the action taken
bv the president as set forth in his ad
dress deUrerm! before the joint sessiaon
of the Congress as stated above.
Senator stone requested that the
resolution go over for a clay under
the rules for action, and it was
agreed to without debate. Republican
Senate leaders, among them Lodge.
Galllnger and Smoot, were consulted,
and the republicans will support the
indorsement
CONGRESS RUSHES BILLS
For More Submarines—Senate Fails
to Reach Senator Stone’s Pro
posal to Approve Rupture
Big increases were added to nation
al defense appropriation measures
Tuesday in Congress at Washing
ton. and plans were made to put
through quickly other far-reaehlng
provisions requested by the' adminis
tration to prepare the country for
whateved may follow the break-with
Germany. In the- Senate an execu
tive session to' consider nominations
occupied virtually the entire day, but
a bill was put through increasing the
penalties for making threats against
the president of the United States
and the republicans .agreed at. an in
formal conference to support a plan
for authorization of 100 submarines
In addition to those provided for In
the regular building program. ..
The executive session blocked Sen
ator Stone’s plan to call for a vote
on his resolution giving senato
rial approval of the break with Ger
many. and he said Tuesday night he
would call it up yesterday. The repub
lican leaders will support the pro
posal. but some senators are expected
to oppose it. and a dramatic debate is
in prospect.
While the House was debating the
naval bill the military committee
brought in the annual appropriation
measure carrying a total of $247,000,-
000. Among the largest items for new
equipments are authorizations of SB,-
000.000 for aviation.' $11,000,000 for
equipment and stores of the reserve
corps, and $5,500:000 for automatic
machine guns for the army and na
tional guard. Debate on this bill will
begin late this week.
Besides raising the anti-aircraft gun
appropriation from $1,000,000 to. $3,-
800.000 in order to supply three for
each naval station, and the appro
priation for merchant auxiliarv am
munition from §1,500.000 to $7,281.-
000, the House inserted in the bill a
new item of' $1,250,000 for machine
guns for ships of the naVy and made
many other .increases including the
following: Ordnance and ordnance
stores, from $7,602,000 to $8.48S.OOO:
SCSI'S?- f° r merchant- auxiliaries
84,361.000-to $5,781,000; and ammuni
tion for naval ships $1,500,000 -to $3.-
500,000. ■
A provision for federal use of the
new Commonwealth drydock at Bos
ton, recommended by the navy depart
ment. was stricken out on a point of
order.
DANIELS ASKS AUTHORITY.
To Take , Private Naval Plant^w,
Chairman Padgett Offers .Pro
posed Amendment
To insure quick construction of na
val vessels and manufacture of ' am
munition and equipment for. which pri
vate plants are under contract, Secre
tary Daniels asked Congress at Wash
ington Saturday for authority to com!
mandeer such plants, if necessary and
operate them in the public service. A
draft of the proposal sent to the House
by the secretary was presented by
Chairman Padgett of the naval com
mittee as an amendment to the annual
naval bril, on which debate was just
closing. Following closely upon the
president’s address to Congress, sub
mission of the amendment enlivened
discussion of the bill, and there were
many references to Impending develop
ments in connection with' the break
with Germany,
“This is an hour qf reflection and
serious consideration, 1 ’ said Mr Pad
gett. "I address myself to the pa
triotism and wisdom, of the Hquse.
There Is no partisanship in considering
the navy. Under the circumstances at
this time that sentiment finds cordial
expression from every member. This
is not the hour to hesitate.”
Several republicans expressed simi
lar sentiments, urging that the naval
bill be brought to passage as quickly
as possible, but others on both sides of
the House entered objections against
the commandeering amendment. Rep
resentaive Madden, republican, sug
gested that It involved the question of
taking private property without due
compensation. and Representative
Fitzgerald, democrat, said it Involved
the inviolability of contracts. Speaker
Clark interrupted the discussion to ask
why warships could not be constructed
more rapidly and to urge the naval
committee to employ .every means to
speed up building.
Representative Britton announced
he had prepared an amendment to ap
propriate $119,000,000 to hasten com-,
pletlon of 113 warships authorized at
previous sessions of Congress, and now
under construction in government, and
private ship yards.
While no decision has been reached
officially at Washington, there is a
very decided sentiment in all official
quarters to abandon the public cere
monies of inauguration on March 5
and simply have the president take the
oath of office in the White House on
Sunday. March 4. The army and navy
reception at the White House prop
■ ably will be abandoned. Those officials
who favor abandoning the public cere
monies feel that with the president
facing such critical, international af
fairs the good of the country demands
that he shall not be called upon to par
ticipate in public functions.
A dispatch from Washington says
the matter has not been taken up with'
the president himself. Robert N.
Harper, chairman of thj Inaugural
committee, said bust night that aban
donment cf the ceremonies had not
been considered and that he did not
believe there had been any serious
discussion of it. among higher .officrils,
MORE MONEY FOR DEFENSE-
Baker Requests Appropriation of
§11,613,000
Another deficiency appropriation
bill of sll.<il3,<KM) for the army and
national guard was’ requested df Cone
Kress at. Washington Friday by
Secretary Baker About of
^Continued on Thirteenth Paice)