We have written in a leading article of the German
attempt to lead Mexico and Japan into war with the United States, but must record here other matters affecting American and German relations. President Wilson's attempt to secure from Congress, before its normal Session ended, authority to arm merchant vessels and to do whatever else might be necessary to safeguard American rights was frustrated. A resolution giving him powers was passed in the House of Representatives by 403 votes to 13, and a like triumph was expected for the similar resolution in the Senate. But to the surprise of every one a determined opposition to the President was conducted by a handful of Senators led by Mr. Stone (the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee) and Mr. La Follette. As the Senate, like our House of Lords, has no very definite rules of pro. cedure, there is no check upon unlimited debate. The intransigents talked out the resolution on Monday after an exhausting oratorical performance, and incidentally Mr. Stone gave away a scheme of the Navy Department for dealing with submarines. All that the majority of the Senate could do in the circumstances was to issue $ manifesto declaring their hearty approval of the resolution.
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