Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-10
PRESIDENT AGAIN
URGES DRAFT PLAN
Throws Weight of Personal In
fluencc in Effort to Overcome
Opposition in Congress.
NATIONS SAFETY IN BALANCE
Debate on Conscription Occupies
Much Time of Sen
ate's Session.
NATIONS SAFETY IN BALANCE

fHr Associated prca-
WASHlNGTrN. Auril a--i'rcsiJ",tt
Wilson threw tho weight Of his per
sonal influence into the scales to-day
ia an effort to overcome opposition in
Congress to tn" administration army
plans. based OH tho draft system. sum.
moninE Chairman Dent vf the Ifous.,
Military Committee. now conSidcrinS
the bill. - the White House. the rrcs-
idcnt made il clear that n. believes
the safety Of the nation lau.s on tho
action Of Congress III this regard IIc
Will make a similar exposition OF tho
military situation tomorrow TO Ecr-
rcsentative An,hon%. Of kansas who
has led opposition "a tic draft plan
among Republican members Of tho Nil.
itary Committee.
In his action to-day. the President
recognized tho fact that there may de
vclop A strong feeling in Congress in
favor Of adhcrinG TO the Old voirn,ccr
system. and sought to bring home 10
Mr.. Dent. one Of those who holds that
view. the lessons TO be drawn from
the great war into which the Gn:tcJ
States now has been PLUNGED and
which all point, military advisers Of
the government declare. TO the atso-
lutte necessity OF facing the issue
sauarely. and summoning men to III.
colors by draft.
y compromise plan may be offered
by the opponents Of compulsory icr-
vice. \ sentiment for such a move
was evident in MIR. Dents comnittce
before which Secretary Baker and the
ment assembled during the dty To
support tic administrations rolicy.
There was no indication. how ever. that
compromise would be accepted BY the
President.
DEBATE ON CONSCRIPTION
TAKES SENATI;'S FINE
In the Senate. debate oil conscription.
occupied much time during discussion
of the regular army appropriation bin
left over from last session Thc aues-
ton is not dealt with in the hill, but
during the debate Senator Kirby. Of
Tered an amendment which would au-
thorize the President 10 call volunteers
in lots OF 100000 each The amend
ment is subject to n point of order.
and probably will be disposed Of that
way without debate.
As a result OF Chairman Dents atti-
,ude, it is possible that some other
member Of the House committee wil
present the administration bill if il
is reported, as officials hope il Will be.
substantially in the form in which il
Mas drawn.
Mr.. Dent indicated tina, he was aux-
ious TO maintain harmony of view and
action within the committee. He was
not ready to-day to talk :,boat the
nature OF the compromise OF which lie
is thinking.
Discussion OF the regular army ap.
preparation bill had been perfunctor..
i'm tho Senate until a section au'horiz.
ing advertising aGcrcies to obtain re-
crLits for tie army vas reached. Chair
man Chamberlain said il was consid-
cred necessary TO &c, men and in
stanccd the fact that recruiting for
the National Guard had not been sue
ce$sfrl.
Recruits have Nocked 10 National
Guard headquarters ever since tho Ger
man ambassador was sent home" de-
clared Senator Wadswortl but nov,
hear the War Departments has sent
out orders forbidding the guard 10
&ccep; recrdits"
CINI. WAR VETERANS
FOR VoLu uNTEER CALL
senate" Nelson. a veteran OF tho
Civil War, declared himself in favor
OF call for volunteers
Il venture TO say" said he ',hat
If the President calls for volunteer
army Of 100000 men and says that
ii IS SoinE to Europe ana fight there
a hc
boys dread above. all is to bc s'a.
tened IN camp with nothing hut
drslls and guard duty Whot th,y
want is To march and iigh, and to
meet che crcmy."
Senator Stonc urged an Increase il.
the pay OF privates to four or i've
times tho present amount II. said
that might increase the army bill
Sl,ooc.o0o,0c0 month bui WIS worth
il. because the men who would 60 to
war would leave behind dependents
u don't think this IS Il l. Isincs.. mat
tee" said Senator vardamar 81, is
Il matter Of patriotism"
'Wc arc about to vote SIn0o coo. 900
to the PRESIDENT. replied Senator
stone Very we'll. shall v"-c fo-
II. hui I wouldn't hesitate q" r,r as
' "si toi'tI'lcu 10 compensate the I" "'i /
who 80 To the front. not purchase
them. not AS hounty hut ;hat il
mi, ht he the best naid army in the
world
l;efore the House Committee. Sccrn-
tary Baker stood firmly for the gen
era! stan plans. =
Mir. Eaker approved Il suggestion
that instead ~ authorizing two in
crsm"n;a o" scicuiive draft force. 500
900 to an increment, the bill authorizes
the President to call as many such
incrcmcEts from time TO time 40 he
deemed nccessAr! TO prosecute tie war
NATIONAL GUARD OFFICERS
IN I.INT: or PROMOTION t
The secretary said the only pro.
vision for the administration bill witch !
would initiate against tho continuance !
OF National Guard units AS such. after
they haG been drafted in the Federal |
service, wa: tha, the way was TO be |
opCned for National Guard officers to !