The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-19
Would Have Given Retired
Army Officers Carte Blanche
to Attack Associates
PROVISION FATHERED
BY GEN. AINSWORTH
Bill Immediately Reintroduced
In House by Congressman
Hay. Minus All Articles of
War

Washington. D. c., Aug. 1s-Presi-
dent Wilson today vetoed the army
appropriation bill. with all of its pro-
visions for Preparedness basing his
action on the ground that the bill
removes retired army officers from
liability to special service and the dis
ctpline that has heretofore controlled
them.
The President, in his veto, says he
regards that provision of the bin not
only as dangerous to the discipline.
but likewise as probably unconstitu-
tional In that it removes from him the
control and command Of these men
vested in him by the Constitution,
which gives him supreme command
of the army and navy.
The Presidents veto of the bill
possibly may delay adjournment of
Congress.
Bill Hastily Reintroduced.
Chairman James Hay. of the House
Military Committee, reintroduced the
bill minus not only the section TO
the whole revision of the articles of
war eliminated. This threatened to
complicate the situation.
Mr.. Hay announced that he would
seek to repass the bin in the House
under special rule Tuesday.
The articles of war Will not be
permitted to get through in this bill
again" Mr.. Hay declared emphaticai-
| ly, after a conference with several
members of the military affairs COM
mittee
Will Insert Articles of War.
Senator Chamberlain, chairman of
the Senate Military Affairs Commit
tee. said after learning of the action
| Eav hot
the Senate committee would add the
articles OF war to the bill when 1t
reaches the Senate next week.
| We will put the articles OF war
back as we originally had them and
Just as the President and War De-
partment wanted them" he declared.
II do not see how Representative Hay
| is going to prevent the articles OF war
going back into the bin IL the Senate
and House should say they shall go
back think that the Senate Will
/ insist upon the articles of war with
out the Hay amendment
Presidents Reasons for Veto.
| The veto, message Is as follows:
ITO the House OF Representatives:
| II have carefully considered the bill
| Oh. r. 16460) entitled:
| AN act making appropriations foi
the support OF the army for the fisca
year ending June 80. 1871 and now
| take the liberty of returning 1t witt
my objections to its approval.
The bill constitutes an essential
part of the legislation providing fol
the military establishment OF the
country and wisely and generousl,
! provides for the reorganization of the
agencies OF our national defense, and
! ii Is with genuine reluctance that
delay its becoming law by suggesting
the elimination OF one of the pro-
visions which has been embodied in
the very necessary and important re-
vision OF the articles OF war which has
been added to II.
/ The existing articles OF war are
Undoubtedly archaic. They have not
undergone comprehensive revision fol
more than 100 years. They de not al
ways furnish the means of meeting
promptly and directly the needs OF dis
| cipline under modern conditions, and
many contingencies now frequently
arise in the government Of the mill.
tary forces which were not contem-
plated whom the present code was
formulated. The relations Of the gov.
eminent Of the United States have
greatly broAdened within the hundred
years We now have insular posses
sions and national interests far ava,
from our continental shores. Botf