The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-12
Opposition In Congress to Plan
Does Not Swerve War Chief s
Views On Subject
"SELECTIVE DRAFT"
MAY BE TEMPORARY
On Basis of Making Compul-
sorry Service Effective Only
For War Period, Divergent
Opinions May Be Reconciled
nv y II SARTWEIL,

| Washington. April Tive cannot
I win this war without an army" was
the determination reached by the ad-
ministration tonight as President VIII
son prepared for a vigorous, agrees
sive fight to force the war depart
ment "selectiye draft plan through
congress.
: The decision TO concentrate all OF
the administration influence behind
the consumption bin now before the
house was reached at conference
between President Wilson and Sec
rotary of War Baker Both had Wis
tied the Capitol during the day and
had tested the sentiment of the house,
where formida BILE opposition to the
conscription plan threatens serious de-
lay In the enactment of the army
, legislation demanded by the presi-
dent 1t was determined to press the
seiective draft bill at once, in order
| to prevent any further gain in strength
| by the opposition to the measure.
| No Change of Attitude.
Secretary of War Baker, after his
conference at the White House, de-
clared that there would be no change
! in the attitude or the administration
toward the CONSUMPTION bill, and that
every effort to secure early action on
the measure would be made, 1t was
understood that the administration
leaders In the house will be urged TO
get behind the CONSUMPTION bill at
once. In order that 1t may be passed
before the opposition grows to more
: threatening proportions.
President Wilson himself spent an
hour at the Capitol in conference with
Speaker Champ Clark and Democratic
Leader Kitchin. While various war
measures were discussed, the presi-
dent was particularly anxious about
/ the CONSUMPTION bill. He was told
that the opposition had not been fully
developed. but that It was by no
means negligible. Representative
/ Kitchin himself Is opposed to enact
] ing permanent universal service
law. but it was suggested that both
the Democratic leader and other OPP
ponents of the general principle or
CONSUMPTION might forego their oppo-
sition If the administration bill was
amended to make 1t plain that the
"selective draft" plan was to be ef-
fective merely for the period of the
war Neither the president nor Sec
rotary OF War Baker would commit
himself on this proposal. A compro-
mise proposal was put forward while
Secretary Baker was before the house
military affairs committee urging
speedy action on the army bill. Rep
resentative Anthony. of Kansas. lead
err OF the opposition proposed that
call he issued for 500 900 volun-
teers, while the first seiectlve draft
increment of 100000 was being
| raised Secretary Baker declared
that the war department preferred
the selective draft plan alone. He ex-
planned that the department now pro-
posed to bring the regular army up
I to $4,000 men and the nationa!
guard up to war strength by volun-
Il eers before taking in the first selec-
tive draft increment. Heretofore the
plan contemplated regular army Of
only 100000.
Ready 10 Move
The war department went aneao
today with its plans for handling the