Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-04-12
President Throws Weight Of
Personal Influence Against
Opposition In Congress.
Chairman Of House Military
Committee Against Com
pulsory Service.

Washington, April 1l.-President
Wilson threw the weight of his per-
sonal influence into the scale in an
effort to overcome opposition of con-
gress to the administration army plans
based on the draft provision. Sum-
moning Chairman Dent, of the house
military committee, now considering
the bill, to the white house, the presi-
dent made it clear that he believed
the fate of the nation hangs on the
action of congress in this regard. He
will make a similar exposition Of the
military situation to Representative
Anthony, of Kansas, who has led op-
position to the draft plan among re-
publican members Of the committee.
In his war address Mr.. Wilson form
ally told congress that in his judgment
the United States must fight her
enemy with a certain weapon in the
form of an army raised by a plan
based on universal service plan. Sup
plementing this, he issued a statement
recently approving in every detail the
departmental plans which have the
unanimous approval Of the army gen.
eral staff. . (
In his action today, however, the
president recognized the fact that
there may developa strong feeling in
congress in favor Of adhering to the
iold volunteer system and sought h
bring home to Mr.. Dent, one of those
who holds that view, the lessons to
be drawn from the great war into
which the United States has now been
plunged and which all point, military
advisers of the government say, to
the absolute necessity Of facing the
issue squarely and summoning men
to the colors by draft.
A compromise plan may be offered
by the opponents of compulsory SER
, vice. A sentiment for such move
, was evident in Mr.. Dents discussion.
There was no indication, however,
, that compromise would be accepted
. by the president.
! In the senate debate on CONSUMPTION
: occupied much time during discussion
of the regular army appropriation bill
. left over from last session. The ques
i ton is not dealt with in the bill bu
during the debate Senator Kirby of
fered an amendment which woulC
h authorize the president to call volun
D teers in lots of half million each
The amendment is subject to poin
5 of order and probably will be dis
h posed of in that way without debate
S DENTMAY BE RELIEVED.
AS a result of Chairman Dents at
, titude, il is possible that some othe
member of the house committee vii
present the administration bill, if it i
reported, as officials hope it will be
substantially in the form in which
: was drawn. The chairman agreed t
}, introduce it "by request" whicl
e means that he would take no respon
r sibility for it. AS an active and sym
r pathetic leadership on the floor of tn
/ house will be needed, the task ma.
a 90 to some other committeeman
/. Representative Kahn, ranking repub
: lican member, has been consisten
p advocate of universal military train
: ing and service for years. He wen
II to the extent during the framing @
the national defense act of sending t
England for recruiting posters an
literature and used them to illustrat
to the house the unreliable and ineffi
cient operation Of that system.