The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-05-11
ARMY MEN
VOTE DOWN BILLS
House Rejects Senate Measures
For 100000 Regulars and
$4,000 Volunteer
Forces.

Washington, d. c.. May S.-By two
overwhelming votes the House today
declined to agree to the Senate amend
ment to the army bill providing for a
standing army of 100000 men and d
volunteer army of 26O, 900 pledged to &C
days intensive training yearly. The
first proposal was rejected 241 to la
and the latter PSI to l09.
A discussion followed the vote on the
Senate's nitrate plant amendment faV-
ored by President Wilson, which was
opposed by many democratic and re-
publican members. Some leaders OF
both sides expressed belief that the
proposal might be defeated.
Outstanding in the debate on the pro-
posed army increases was the deClara-
ton Of Representative Kahn, of Cali
fornia, that he was convinced foreign
nations at the close Of the European
war would demand indemnity from the
United States for losses in NJ eXicO, and
that it would be advisable to have a
large army in such a situation.
Kahn Voices Fears.
Debate on the conferees' report be-
gan with a surprise speech by Repre-
sentative Kahn, ranking republican
member Of the military committee, APP
proving the larger force and opposing
the provisions of the House bill TO in
crease the national guard. He said it
would be impossible To recruit the
guardsmen proposed and Endorsed sec
lions of the Senate bill authorizing an
army of 100000 men and for a volun-
teer army.
These two provisions, said Mr.. Kahn,
are up for separate vote. Under the
l. he nf
needed, the president would not enlist
them. In the final analysis, congress
holds the purse strings. They will tell
you 1t will cost lot Of money. 1t will
not cost 81 more than is needed.
Foreign nations will look to us, not
to poor, impoverished Mexico" he said,
for the lives and property of their cit
liens destroyed in Mexico. We must
be prepared to meet these problems.
We have learned in recent months that
unless you have force behind your pro-
posals to a foreign nation, you are not
apt to command the respect for your
proposals that Americans would like to
see"
He pointed out the necessity of AM
erican forces adequate to protect Haiti,
Panama, Nicaragua and other Latin
American countries. Let's not fool
the American people with sense Of Sc
curity when the security does not ex-
iSt," he said.
Attack Senate Plan.
Representative Gordon democrat, said
a permanent establishment Of more
than 14O, 100 men meant compulsory en-
listments. Representative Anthony, re-
publican, contended the House should
not change its position on the size OF
the army.
RepI sentative Mckenzie. republican,
assailed Representative Kahn for urg-
ing an army Of 100000 men. IF we are
going to have an army Of 100000, let US
really have it." he said. THE present
plan is a fraud and deception. 1t does
not mean an army Of 100000 men, but
only the ofNers for this number"
Representative Mondell, republican,
told the House that II the Senate bill
became law, the president would be be-
sieged by those interested in big mil
itary establishment. He ridiculed tine
Senate plan for a volunteer army as a
revival Of the "discredited and rspu-
dated continental army ideas"