The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-05-11
LITTLE ARMY MEN
VOTE DOWN BILLS
House Rejects Senate Measures
For 250,O0O Regulars ard
261,O0O 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 a
volunteer army of ESQ, 900 pledged to 80
days intensive training yearly. The
first proposal was rejected 24l to 142
and the latter PSI to 100.
A discussion ollOwed 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 Mexico, and
that it would be advisable to ave d
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
tons Of the Senate bill authorizing an
army of 250, 900 men and for a yolun-
teer army.
These two provisions, said Mr.. Kahn,
are up for a separate vote. Under the
Senate bill, if the 100000 men are not
needed, the president would not enlist
them. In the final analysis, congress
holds tho r11rcn ctrirpS FThn1r mill tn11
o it will cost a lot of money. 1t will
not cost 81 more than is needed.
Foreign nations wi. 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 the respect for u
proposals hat 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. Lets not fool
the American people with a 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 100000 men meant compulsory en-
listments. Representative Anthony. re-
publican, commended the House should
not change it's position on the size of
the army.
Representative Mckenzie, republican.
assailed Representative Kahn for urg~
ing an army of 100000 men. IF we are
going to have an army of $50. 900, let US
really have it." he said. The present
plan is a frau and deception. 1t does
NOT r,,,n 90 " 49,. 80 or nnn $500 l-,t
only the officers for this number
Representative Mondell, republican.
told the House that If the Senate bill
became law, the president would be be-
sieged by those interested in a big mil
1tary establishment. He ridiculed the
Senate plan for a volunteer army as a
revival of the "discredited and repu-
dated continental army ideas"