Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-18
Stones Attack

Senator Stone attacked the Roose-
Welt amendment on the ground that
Colonel Roosevelt is unfit to command
a body of troops because he has no
respect for authority, constitutional or
otherwise" and described the provision
las a scheme both personal and po-
litical"
Many senators smiled as Senator
Stone pounded desks with clenched
first and trod the center aisle, address
ing his remarks largely to the Repub-
lican side.
Colonel Roosevelt is unfit to COM
mand, certainly, a large body of men,"
Senator Stone continued There is
nothing in his training, experience or
temperament that fits him. Mere
courage, even to the point of audac-
to control the lives, safety and health
of great bodies of men.
Roosevelt is without military train
ing. He commanded a regiment in
the Spanish war for short time, it
is true. He led them courageously,
but did not command them with judg-
ment. He got his men into a bad hole
in imminent danger of being cut to
pieces and they would have been ex-
cept for a Negro regiment under train
ed regular officers that came to the
rescue and saved them.
This scheme is personal and politi-
cal. 1t is smeared all over with poll
tics. 1t gives Roosevelt. the politi-
clan. a chance to exploit himself as
the great volunteer hero of the war. 1t
keeps everybody else out and gives
him monopoly Of opportunity"
The Missouri Senator said the
House vote approving the Roosevelt
amendment was largely along political
lines.
THE House reversed itself" Senator
Calder interjected. because Of the
change Of sentiment Of the country; the
people wished to have Col. Roosevelt
lead a force abroad"
Reply by johnson
An impassioned reply to Senator
Stone was made by Senator johnson Of
California.
Il listened with surprise and cha
grin and humiliation to the remarks Of
the Senator from Missouri" ssaid Mr..
johnson. Had the words come from
any other Senator or been uttered out
cluded that the utterer desired that no
Americans be sent at all. That would.
of course. not be imputed to the senator
from Missouri"
What is it that is asked Only that
this man in the twilight of his life may
lay down that life for his country. On
ly that he may serve his country"
Senntor johnson said Senator Stones
l.
lection of partisanship at this particular
time.
ITO say that Roosevelt desires for
personal ambition and political benefit
to go to war for his country is to deny
the entire life of this patriot" Senator
johnson continued. To say the desire
to enlist is for a political reason is
without foundation In fact.
To-day you have adopted his prepar
atoms plans. and his preaching of undi-
luted Nmericanism is the slogan of the
whole nation. This attacksis a sad, sad
thing This is no mans, no party's,
war"
Senator John Sharp williams sus-
gested that one side had played politics
for a certain position for someone and
the ether side had brought politics in
by opposing the attempt.
Senator Hoke Smith proposed an
amendment to the special army appro-
priation bill declaring the term exist
ing emergency" used in tho war army
bill to mean the war with Germany. and
attempted to &c. immediate considera-
ton. Senator Reec insisted upon get
ting further explanation from Chairman
Chamberlain concerning the latter's
statement that It would be dangerous
to send the bill hack for conference. Il
am getting tired" he said. "of being
told mist do this or that. because
some mysterious thing Is going to hap
pen
Senator Chamberlain replied that there
was q feeling Of unrest among the con-
ferees. He said in another conference
many questions would be re-opened.
Senator Reed said 1t might be we'll to
reopen the question Of eonscription, which
he believed was unpopular throughout
tho country.
Objections to the bill because It is to
b operative during the existing enner-
A.