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Show ou "SOFT SOAP" IS NOT ACCEPTABLE Wilson Will Consent to No Compromise on Armed Ship Question. IS CLEAR CUT ISSUE Vote of Confidence Not Wanted Want-ed by President Question Must Not Be Muddled. Washington, March 2 President Wilson today told Chairman Flood of his foreign affairs committee early today that he would consent to no compromise on the armed ship issue and dcBired a direct vote on a resolution resolu-tion warning Americans off armed ships of belligerent nations. Mr. Flood took tho president's decision to the committee. Report to the administration today were that yesterday ten members of the foreign affairs committee wore in favor of reporting out the McLemore resolution to warn Americans off armed arm-ed siilps and nine members were against it. There are twenty-one members of the committee Some of those who expressed opinions were opposed to the McLemore resolution because it contains expressions not connected directly with the Issue on which the president Insists on a vote. Flood to Deliver Message. A meeting of the committee which was to have been held this morning was postponed until 3 0 clock UiIb afternoon af-ternoon when Chairman Flood will deliver de-liver the president's message. The president had no engagements with leaders of house or senate today but was keeping in constant touch and prepared to see any members if necessary. neces-sary. Up to the present Mr Wilson has not been asked to see any committee of either house, to send any facts to congress, or to appear before con gress in person as has been informally informal-ly suggested. It was said at the White House that no such questions would be taken up until they were presented. Administration officials characterized tho proposed vote of confidence as "a soft soap" resolution to endorse the president and at the same time warn Americans off armed ships. They reiterated that no such resolution would be satisfactory. Clear Cut Issue. "This is a clear cut issue," said one administration official, "and wo do not want It muddled." There were some indications, according ac-cording to these officials, that the president's stand was having tho desired de-sired effect on the house They felt that the rules committee was ready to act and that the only obstacle now was in the foreign affairs committee. In his talk with Representative Flood today the president said flatly that what was wanted was a vote on the McLemore resolution or a similar one. He made it plain that he wants the armed ship agitation disposed of once and for all so It will not come up later to embarass (the diplomatic negotiations. nn |