The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-04-21

Washington, April 21.-[Special !
Would IL not be somewhat strange If
the first army expedition should be
sent into the war by way Of Vladivos
tok, across the T~ranssiberian railroad,
and fight the Germans side by side
with the Russians2
This idea has been suggested and
has met with some favor IN military
circles for the reason that there would
be less danger to the transports car
rying the army going that way; also
that the troops In the Philippines and
Hawaii could be used for such an ex
petition.
There is also a sentimental side to
the suggestion. 1t has been believed
for a long time that Russia is the weak
spot In the war situation. There has
been uneaslness for fear that Russia
might make separate terms with Ger
many. A somewhat formal eXpedi
ton of American soldiers to enter the
war on the eastern front might be OF
considerable advantage In keeping
Russia firm In her purpose Il fight the
war to the end.
The Presidents Big Plan.
Several prominent public men have
been analyzing aud discussing the pres
ident's message to congress in which
he asked for the declaration of war
against Germany and have come 10
the conclusion that he has In view a
plan for humanity, the unlication of
nations, the democracy of the whole
world, that will make him known In
history as one OF the greatest Ameri-
cans IF that Is the presidents inten-
tion,' remarked j. Hampton Moore, a
representative from Philadelphia, "and
he succeeds In 1t he Will be greater
than the man who created this nation,
George Washington, and greater than
the man who saved 1t, Abraham Lin
coin"
Just at present, however, 1t is evil
IDENTITY the earnest intention Of Presi
dent Wilson to have the present war
brought to a successful conclusion.
Ready to Advance.
It has been the custom of members
of the house of representatives to crit
icise the senate, and occasionally there
are outbreaks at what is often termed
the upper branch of congress-. but there
are mighty few men In the house who
are not ready and eager to advance to
the senate. One of these Is Frank W.
Mondell Of Wyoming, who has an
nounced himself as a candidate for
the senate 70 succeed Senator Warren.
who has said that he will not be a
candidate next year. Mondell has been
elected to the house eight or ten times,
and he ought to stand a good chance
to win the election for the senate.
Generals of the Army.
Congress does not take readily TO the
suggestion that four men be given the
rank OF generals of the army and three
made lieutenant generals. Such adj
vancement would take care of about
all men who are now serving with the
rank OF major general. A great many
men in congress think that these high
grades should be reserved for men OF
distinguished service. 1t was not till
late In the civil war that the grade of
lieutenant general was created for
General Grant. All the other officers
of the civil war rendered their great
service with the rank of major gen
eral. At the close of the war the rank
of general was created for Grant and
was successfully filled by Sherman and
Sheridan.
Crowds In the Galleries.
All this wal talk and war discussion
in congress have caused a continuous
rush to the capitol which has o been
equaled since the Spanish war. Men,
women and children seem anxious TO
get In and listen to a part Of the war
debates. Consequently the galleries
are crowded all the time, although
much OF the discussion has been rather
tame and not quite up to the expecta-
tons of the audience.
May Acquire Some Junk.
In the Spanish war the United States
government bought ships right and
left, forward and backward, with the
result that 1t acquired a great amount
of junk. Secretary Daniels has been
buying the ships, and he has done the
best he could to avoid getting junk In
stead OF ships and vessels of actual
worth. A great many small boats
lave been purchased for service along
the Atlantic coast. The secretary says
he expects that there win be some junk
in the purchasing, but he Is going to do
his best to avoid 1t.
Practicing Many Economies.
Mrs. Wilson, wife of the president;
Mrs. Marshall, wife Of the vice presi-
dent; wives of cabinet members and
leaders In Washington society have
agreed TO reduce their food bill and I'm
this way aid the conservation move
ment that is taking hold OF the people