The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-03-19
FAVORS
HAY ARMY BILL
But the President Lets 1t Be
Known He is Not Yet Com
mitted to Details.
BILL is NOT ADEQUATE
Mann Says 1t Would Provide for
Preparedness for Peace
and Not for War.
lnY A.1eeIArrp snesal


WASHINGTON. March Is With
virtually unanimous declaration for
national preparedness. the House army
increase bill reached the Amendments
stage today after ten hours of one
sided general debate. The House will
begin discussion OF details in earnest
Monday. bui# there are Indications that
opposition to tho measure as change
in national policy has collapsed. No
opponent appeared during the debate
except Meyer London. the Socialist
representative from New York.
The Senate's army bill also will
come ZIP Monday with administration
leaders urging the Senate sidetrack all
other business until it is disposed of.
Interest continued tonight in Presi-
dent Wilson'S attitude as between
these TWO measures, which differ es-
sentially.
Wilson'S Own Bill.
Chairman Hay of the House military
committee described the House bill
during debate today as -ihe presidents
own bill.''. Republican Leader Mann
questioned tho accuracy Of this dec
laratton.
DOUBTLESS the president favors the
best he can obtain" Mr.. Mann said.
az have no debut he favors 1t over
existing law"
Tonight President Wilson let it be
known that while he approves the gen-
eral features of the Hay bill he has not
committed himself to It's details. Adj
minlstrntIon officials arc looking TO the
conference committee which will ad-
just the House and Senate bills after
passage. to produce measure which
will have the presidents full approval.
Clark Speaks for II.
Speaker Clark opened the general
debate in the House, expressing ap-
proval OF the Hall bill and declaring
1t was satisfactory to the average
American and as good as could be ex-
peGted under the circumstances. The
nation as whole. he said, wished to
hold middle course.
"They want peace" Sc said. "but
not peace at any pricc. They want
peace with honor. They believe thor
ouGhly that there are things worth
fighting for. They are not willing TO
bankrupt the country on military and
naval preparations. They are. how
ever, willing 10 spend all that is nec-
essary for public defense"
Declared Inadequate.
Mann characterized the bill as in
adequate to the nations. needs, say
ing 1t would provide for preparedness
for peace. not for war.
81 believe" he, continued. that It
Is the duty of the United States to
prepare now an army which will add
weight to diplomatic suggestions we
make. The time has come when It Is
wise for us to consider the possibility.
the probability of the future and pre-
pare now for what may como to us. II
we do not, We may regret It to the end
OF our lives"
Navy the First Line.
Representative Kahn, ranking Re-
publican member OF the committee. in
closing the debate for the minority
side said that after all the first line
of defense was tho navy. and that II
was more essential to put the navy
on footing where It could maintain
control of the sen against any enemy
than 1t was to. build up an army.
While the navy controlled the sen.
he added, no invader could reach,
American shores.
Change Is Made.
Consideration Of amendments began
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