AMERICAN SITUATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16169, 4 March 1916, Page 8

AMERICAN SITUATION.

PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS. DEFINITE PLEDGE DEMANDED . ■■'; ' r 'Washington, March 2. The President has notified Congress that he will not accept a mere vote of confidence as settling the submarine controversy. He has unequivocally stated that he refuses to continue negotiations with Germany until Congress has announced its attitude respecting/the right of Americans to travel by armed merchantmen. The. whips assert that Mr. Wilson will not hesitate to appeal to 'the ' country if Congress avoids the issue. , '■' ■■; l As a result of German pressure, Democratic members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives instructed their chairman, Mr. Flood, to notify Mr. Wilson that they would no longer, - support him in upholding the right of Americans to '. travel on vessels armed contrary to the German definition. It is believed that the Democrats in the. Senate favour Mr. Wilson "warning Americans against taking passages by such vessels. German-American lobbying has worked up the situation to a climax, in which, it is stated, Mr. Wilson is threatened with revolt by his' own 'party in both Houses. SENSATIONAL ' STATEMENT. MR, WILSON AND THE WAR, : Washington, March 2. A sensation was caused in the Senate when Mr. Gore accused the s President of having stated to certain of the Congress leaders :—" War between the United States and Germany might not be ungrateful, and might result in advancing European civilisation, by bringing about the end .of the European war by midsummer." Mr. Stone, chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, denied that Mr. Wilson had used such language. Mr. Lodge defended the President's attitude regarding armed merchantmen, pointing out that the attitude of Congress was embarrassing Mr. Wilson in the negotiations with Germany.