Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-04-13

Photo by american Press Association.
fcering, arming and equipment in
every respect of an army of 100000
during the next twelve months and
that to carry into effect the provisions
of the war department emergency bill
it will cost not less than $4,000, 100000
to raise, arm and equip the army of
nearly 100000 that is contemplated
by that bill to be raised in the next
two years.
The estimates submitted by Secre-
tary McAdoo are based for the most
part on figures compiled by the Council
of National Defense and also take into
consideration the reductions in prices
Of copper and other materials promised
by manufacturers.
Miss Rankin Votes mo"
While the house was considering the
war resolution Miss Jeanette Rankin.
the woman representative from Mon
tana, had been absent most Of the
evening, but took her accustomed
place while the roll call was in prog
ress. When her name was called she
sat silent. Miss Rankin" repeated
the clerk. Still no answer. The clerk
went on with his droning, and floor
and galleries buzZed.
On the second roll call Miss Ran
kin's name was again called. She sat
silent as before. The eyes of the gal
leries were turned on her. For a mo-
ment there was breathless silence;
then Miss Rankin rose. In a voice
that broke a bit but could be heard all
over the still chamber she said:
81 want to stand by my country, but
| cannot vote for a l vote no."
The no was scarcely audible.
And the maiden speech of the first
woman congressman ended in a sob.
She was deeply moved, and big tears
were in her eyes.
1t was a sympathetic house, how
ever, and, although most of the per-
sons there were plainly in favor of
the war resolution, a wave of applause
swept through floor and gallery.
Way Found For Roosevelt.
A way has been found under the
Hay defense act whereby Colonel
Roosevelt may form an army division
for war. Study of the law by mem
bers of the house committee ON mill
tary affairs showed that the colonel
may apply to Governor Whitman for a
commission. He will then be subject
ed to examination. and if found quail
fed physically and in knowledge of
military tactics the commission will be
granted.
Under the terms of the act men from
any state in the Union may go to New
York, declare themselves citizens of
that state and join Colonel Roosevelt's
command. The act also provides that
If request is made of the war depart
ment for officers to take subordinate
commands in the division these must
be furnished.
So the way seems to be open to the
colonel if he wants to lead a division
as a major general of volunteers.
Colonel Roosevelt made clear his
ideas with regard to the dispatch of
an eXpeditionary force of American
soldiers to France. incidentally he
disclaimed any purpose to claim the
leadership of such an expedition,
which. be declared, should be COM
manded by some first class officer from
the regular army.
Seize German Ships.
The Tinted States ia nrena ring RI
employ the German merchant ships
held in American ports against Ger
many. They have been seized. Some
will be converted into auxiliary cruis-
ers to hunt down and scour the seas
for German submarines and commerce
raiders. Others will be used to carry
war supplies to the allies and trans
ports.
Naval officials plan tt send to sea as
soon as possible at least forty fast
armed merchantmen as auxiliary cruis-
ers. Some of these may be the Ger
man ships. which will be requisitioned
subject to post war compensation of
their private n
The naval auxiliaries will be used
principally against ommerce raiders.
ated havoc among shipping in waters
off the American continent, especially
in the south Atlantic. The plan was
discussed, it is stated, at conferences
between Secretary Daniels, Secretary
of Commerce Redfield and the Council
90 Not4nnoJ nof0nco