GREAT MASS MEETING.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 March 1917, Page 5

GREAT MASS MEETING.

PACIFICISTS CONDEMNED. WAR ON GERMANY DEMANDED. Received March 7, 12.40 a.m. New, York, March 6. At a great mass demonstration, organised to protest against the action of the Senate minority, the crowd cheered allusions to the possibility of war, sang patriotic songs, and hooted the Senate. The meeting carried a resolution, amid tumultuous applause, condemning the pacificists, and demanding that America should answer Germany with armed force.

MINORITY RULE GOVERNMENT RENDERED HELPLESS. New York, March 5. Mr. Wilson's statement at the termination of the session disclosed a situation; unparalleled in the history of the country. .The- President said: "In the immediate presence of a crisis fraught with subtler possibilities of national danger than the Government has ever been faced with, Congress has been unable to act as a safeguard to the country or vindicate an elementary right. The Senate was unable to act because eleven Senators objected. The Senate has no rules by which debate can be limited. It has therefore proved impossible to extend the powers of the Shipping Board or increase the gold reserve to meet the needs of the new situation. "If I called an extraordinary session the Senate's paralysis would remain, as the majority is powerless. Thus in the midst of a crisis of extraordinary peril, when only definite and decided action can make the nation safe and shield it from war caused by the aggression of others, action is impossible. The impression abroad will be that other Governments can act as they please with no fear of our Government acting. "The explanation seems incredible that the Senate is the only legislative body in the world whirh cannot act when the majority wishes. A little group of wilful men has thus rendered the great Government of the United States helpless and contemptible. Tlie remedy lies in altering the rules of the Senate, so that it may be able to act. I believe the Senate can be relied on to do this and save the country from disaster. "What has rendered the situation graver was the discovery that while it has been thought that the President could do much of what he asked Congress to do, certain old statutes have raised insuperable practical obstacles virtually nullifying his powers." FnJBUSTERING CONDEMNED. Washington, March 5. In a later statement the President amended his reference to the old statutes, which now reads: "May raise insuperable obstacles, and may nullify the President's power." The Senate minority comprised six Republicans and five Democrats. When the Senate meets on Monday for the in augural ceremonies an attempt will probably be made to amend the rules, meanwhile the matter is not being discussed, to the disappointment of the public, which expected the President to act on his own responsibility. New York and other newspapers vehemently condemn filibustering. SENATORS GIVE A PLEDGE. Washington, March 5. Thirty-three Senators have given a pledge to amend the rules, thus preventing filibustering. Messrs Taft and Wykersham have made statements contending that Mr Wilson possesses power to arm ships. PRICE OF PAPER FIXED. New York, March 3. The Federal Trade Commission has fixed the price of news print paper at [five dollars per 1001b. '