The Washington times., 1916-04-19
Final Action on Army Measure
Coincident With Notice Of
Wilson's Message.
PROVIDES FORCE OF MILLION
Indifference OF Some Senators
Pierced BY Sharp Turn in the
German Situation.

with the nation standing on tho
brink of severance az relations with
Germany ard possible war. the SEN
ate last night passed the Chamberlain
army bill providing for large increases
In the land forces Of the nation. Today.
tho bill Qoes to conference and SO vital
are the differences between the Senate
measure and the House measure that II
Is expected the intervention Of the
President will be needed to adjust tHcm.
Unexpectedly, in the closing hours OF
the considCiat of the Chamberlain
bill by the Senate last night, the 2resl-
dent sent Secretary Tumuity TO the
Capitol e. ask the leaders to arrange
for joint session OF the two houses at
o'clock today in order that he might
deliver u communication of importance
Although the passage of the Cham
berlain bill and the German situation
are not related, the coincidence in
time between final action on the bill
and the request for a Joint assembly
gave a dramatic turn to the situation.
Senators proceeded to the final dis
position OF the measure with a new
and portentous realization OF what
IL might mean.
Their Indifference Pierced.
Inc ChllOuS lnullltTenCe Oh many
mon in Congress to the need OF pre-
paredness. seemed to be at last pierced
by the sharp turn which the inter
national complications have taken.
After the passage of the Chamberlain
measure. the Senate formally rejected
the Hay House bill In toto. Now con-
forces from the two houses will go TO
the mat; and with ideals radically diff
Al &c
almost ceretain that President wilson
finally will settle the terms of the coun.
try's land preparedness measure.
Looking forward to trades" in con.
ference which undoubtedly will cut
strength from its proposals, the Senate
adopted an amendment by Brandegee OF
Connecticut increasing the peace
strength number OF regulars from 1901
to $4,000. Another amendment adds
6,0D0 men to the Coast Artillery, alread,
described as the most efficient branch
OF the army.
Creates Army of Million.
In round numbers. an army of a mil
lion men-regulars and reserves
created for peace-times by the Senate
bill. There are 261 900 to be raised as
Federal reserve $4,000 as the enlarged
and "Federalized" national guard: ESQ.,
900 regulars. and probably over 10000
youths to be trained in schools and col
leges under regular army instructors.
This school provision make 1t possibl,
for even a high school where there are
fifty students over fifteen years of age
who desire military training to have q
regular army officer assigned to II Onl,
students over eighteen would be called
into service in time OF emergency, ant
they cannot be called for strike duty
Parents consent Is necessary for enlist
ment.
That many provisions of the Senat,
bill will be thrown overheard in confer
ence. Senator Chamberlain admitted II
debate.
Another controversy practically Is III
to President Wilson. House and Senat
conferees being unable to agree whethe
the free-sugar clause OF the Underwo,
tariff bill should be repealed altogether
or simply suspended until 1920 both side
have appealed for support from tn
White House.