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Show U. S. WILL TIE ION MT SMI OF LINERS Crisis is Faced by Congress Leaders Are Inclined to Proceed Cautiously Cautious-ly Will Consult President. Washington, Jnn. 3 Congress reassembles reas-sembles tomorrow In the midst of nn international situation which rivnl political leaders admitted tonl?ht was ono of tho most critical that has confronted the nation. Returning Return-ing members talked of little but consequences con-sequences that might result from the sinking of the Hrltlsh steamer Persia Per-sia in tho Medlttcrrnnenn with loss of American llfo and tho strained diplomatic relations between tho United Uni-ted Stntcs and Austria. Although administration leaders wero uniformly inc inod to proceed cautiously and to aw nit positive Information, In-formation, thero wns a general feeling feel-ing of uneasiness among senators and representatives over the gravity of foreign affairs. War Inquiry Proposed Senator Stcno, chairman of tho Scnnto foreign relations committee conferred with Secretary Lansing nt tho stuto deportment today nnd will seek u conference with President Wilson before n meeting of tho com-mlttco com-mlttco Is lioHl Wednesday to begin consideration of mntters pertaining to tho diplomatic affairs of tho nation. na-tion. It seems assured that tho committee com-mittee will tako up the resolution submitted by Senator Hoke Smith calling for nn Inquiry Into Great Hrltaln's Interference with neutral commorco and tho amendment by Senator Lodge to investigate destruction destruc-tion of the Lusltnn'la, and other acts by belligerents resulting In destruction destruc-tion of 'American lives. "Of courso wo must consider thoso resolutions," said Senator Stono tonight. to-night. "Tlioy aro on tho calendar and must bo disposed of. I do not know tho sentiment of tho committee, but I seo no objection to Congress having hav-ing nil information called for In the resolution of Senator Smith or the amendment by Scnntor Lodge" Treaties to Be Pressed Senntor Stono nlso discussed with JJr. Lansing tho long pending Nlca-ragunn Nlca-ragunn nnd Colombian treaties, concerning con-cerning which thero still ls persistent persist-ent opposition by some senators, Including In-cluding Republican members of the foreign relations committee. The Missouri Mis-souri sonator wants -these treaties disposed of ono way or anothorj. If It ls npparcnt that opposition Is overwhelming, over-whelming, It ls proposed to discover this ns soon as posslblo so that further furth-er tlmo may not bo wasted in attempting at-tempting to forco their ratification. Another subject of discussion was tho nomination of Henry P. Fletcher Fletch-er to bo ambassador to Mexico. Senntor Sen-ntor Dorah, n member of tho committee, commit-tee, will strenuously opposo Mr. Fletcher's confirmation on tho ground that no ambassador to Mexico should bo named by tho United States until conditions In tho southern republic are more settled. To Take Up Naval Bill Although foreign nffalrs overshadow overshad-ow everything elso In Interest for tho moment, activity over natlonnl preparedness pre-paredness will begin nt onco. Hearings Hear-ings will bo hold tomorrow bofoio tho Houso naval affairs committee on tho annual appropriation bill tho first subject to bo taken up being that of yards and docks, including tho project for n big dry dock nt Norfolk, Va. The Senate naval com mltteo will meet to consider Senntor Senn-tor TIllman'H bill for erection of a government nrmor p'ato factory. On Thursday tho Houso committee en military affairs will meet and Secretary Secre-tary Garrison will appear to explain his plan for reorganization of tho army. |
