POLITICAL FILIBUSTERS IN AMERICA

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3021, 7 March 1917, Page 5

POLITICAL FILIBUSTERS IN AMERICA

HOW THE PRESIDENT'S HANDS WERE TIED

WARLIKE NOTE IN INAUGURAL SPEECH

Bj-TclcErash-Presß « , Now York, March 5. President Wilson's statement of the termination of session disclosed a situation unparalleled in the history of the country. In tla» immedialo presence of a crisis, fraught with more subtlo possibilities of national danger than the} Government has ever faced, Congress has been unable to act as a safeguard to the country or to vindicate an elementary right. The Sciiato is unable to act because elcvon Senators objected. Tho Senate has no rules whereby a debate can bo limited. Therefore, it has boon proved impossible to extend the powers of the Shipping Board or increase the gold reserve to meet ;tlio needs of tho new situation. If tho President called an extraordinary session the paratysis «f the Senate would remain, as the majority is powerless. Thus, in iho midst of a crisis of extraordinary peril, when onlv definite and decided action would make tho nation safe and shield it from war by tho aggression of others, action is impossible. The impression abroad will be that other Governments act- as they please, but there is no fear of our Government acting. The explanation seems incredible Tho Senate is the only legislative body in the world which cannot act when tho majority wishes \ littie group of wilful men has thus rendered tho great Government of the United States helpless and contemptible. The remedy lies in altering the rules <»overning tho Senate so that it will he abje to act. It is believed that the Sonate can be relied op to do this, and save the country from disaster. What has rendered the situation graver was tho discovery that while, it had boen thought that the Prosidont could do much of what he lias asked Coiitcss to do, certain old statutes have raised insuperable practical obstacles, "virtually nullifying his powers. THE OLD LAW. Now York, March 5. A later statement by tho President amended his reference to the old statutes, which now read: They. may give rise to insuperable obstacles, and may nullify the President's power. A Jaw of 1819 forbids merchantmen to attack warships of a Power to which the country is not hostile. Mr. Taftand Mr. Wykersham have made statements contending tliafc President Wilson possesses the power to arm ships. HEATED CONDEMNATION OF, THE "FILIBUSTERS" Washington, March 5. Tho Senate minority comprised six Republicans and five Democrats. When the Senate meets on Monday for the, inaugural ceremonies, an attempt will probably be made to amend tho rtdes. In tho meanwhile there is undisguised disappointment among- tho public, which expected tho President to act on his own responsibility. Tho New York and othor newspapers vehemently condemn tho "filibusters." Thirty-three Senators have given a pledge to amend the rules of Congress, thus preventing filibustering tactics in the Senate. MASS DEMONSTRATION OF PROTEST SENATE FILIBUSTERS HOOTED. (Rec. March 7. 0.20 a.m.) New York, March a. A great mass demonstration was held to protest against the action of the Senate minority. The crowd cheered the allusions to tho possibility of war, sang patriotics, hooted tho Senate meeting, and passed a. resolution, amidst tumultuous applause, condemning tho pacificists, and demanding that America answer Germany with armed force. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. *>, PRESIDENT'S INAUGURAL SPEECH "WE MAY' BE DRAWN INTO AVAR." Washington, March 6. In the course of bis inaugural address, delivered at his ceremonial installation as President of the TJnitedS.tates for a second term, President AVilson said that the hlood of all tho nations now fighting made the Americans a composite and cosmopolitan people, no longer provincial, but affected, in their minds, their industries and commerce, and their social action, by great world currents. America, however, demanded nothing for herself that she was not willing to givo to other nations. She had been deeply wronged upon the seas, but refrained from wronging or injuring in return. She was now 'compelled to stand firm in armed neutrality, but might bo drawn on by circumstances to a more active assertion of her rights. America, in peace or war, stood for the principles that all nations wore equally interested in the political stability of free peoples, and were equally responsible for their maintenance; that an essential principle of peace was the actual equality of nations in all matters of right or privileges; that peace could not rest upon tbo balanco of the armed power; that Governments not drawing their powers from the just consent of tho governed onglit not to be supported by tho common thought,, purposes, or powers of the family of nations: that the seas ought to be equally free and safe for I lie use of all peoples, under rules set up by common agreement and consent, and as far as practicable equally accessible to all; that national armaments should be limited Ifl Ihe necessities nf national order and domestic safely; and that oik' Stale ought sternly lo discourage anything likely lo encourage revolution in other States.

Referring to tho prospect of war the President said: "Wo may bo even drawn on by circumstances, not by our own purpose or desire, to a more activo assertion of our rights as wo see them, and a moro immediate association with tho great struggle itself. Any such step, however, will be with an unselfish purpose, and not with any view to conquost or national aggrandisement."—Aiis.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

THE GERMAN PLOT WITH MEXICO "HOW THE GERMANS RECEIVED THE EXPOSURE. New York, March 5. Mr. Cyril Brown, cabling from Berlin, says tho news of the German plot was received in Berlin, with the utmost calmness. Tho newspapers say that, tho betrayal of Germany's offer of alliauco with Mexico lias been made into capital by President Wilson. Germany was within her rights when she proposed the alliance.—Aits.-N.Z. Cable Assn. London, March 5. Count Reventlow says that Germany's offer to Mexico is incomprehensible, because Mexico would be unable to seize and hold United States territory. . . The "Frankfurter Zeiliuig admits that it was jjarljeularly unfortunate that such, a very secret document fell into treacherous hands. Tho "Cologne Gazette" points out that Germany's step was conditional on tho United States declaring war. It was generally known that the United States had long been engaged in provoking neutrals Against Germany — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN BOMB CONSPIRATOR TRAPPED New York, March .I. At Hobokcu, New Jersey,, a man named Fritz Kolb was arrested in an hotel. His room was filled with bombs and explosives. The pnlice assert that TColb has confessed that ho intended making an attempt on President Wilson's life. CHINESE CABINET DECIDES FOR A BREACH POLITICAL CRISIS FOLLOWS PRESIDENT'S DISAPPROVAL. , ~ , , Poking, March 5. The Chinese Cabinet has decided to sever relations with G'ermanv. The President (T/i Yuan-Hung) did .not. approve this decision, and tho Premier has resigned.—Auf.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE SPY MENACE. IN SPAIN CENSORSHIP ON SHIPPING NEWS. .... , Madrid, March 5. The Government has prohibited.lbe publication of shipping arrivals, departures, and losses, in order to hinder 0m aclmties nf spins.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■