The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-27
SUMMING UP
DEBATE ON WAR
MEASURE TODAY
Final Vote in Senate Is Ex-
pected by Saturday.
Night
McCUMBER FEARS
THE SUBMARINE
North Dakota Senator Be
ieves German u. Boat
Is Real Menace.
tBy. Associated Press.)

Washington, April 27.-Debate on
the war army bill reached final stages
in congress today. In the house general
debate was concluded after session
which lasted until 1880 o'clock this
morning. The house met at noon today
to hear summing-up speeches by
Chairman Dent Of the military COM
mittee on behalf Of the volunteer sys-
tenn and by Representative Kahn for
the selective draft plan. After that
speeches were to be limited to FIVE
minutes. House leaders hoped to reach
vote tonight although this appeared
doubtful.
In the senate the bill was taken up
under an agreement to reach a final
vote by tomorrow night. Sixteen sem
atorS still were to be heard.
Debate in the senate was opened by
Senator Jones, Republican OF WASH
ington, who supported the selective
draft.
Our commander-in-ch chief urges it,
he said. '"The military authorities favor
IT. The lessons or tn gfS psaA nplNf
to 1t - wise course. Why should
not,vote for it?"
Senator Kenyon said he expected to
support the bin but wanted exemption
in favor of men In employment OF
military value changed so that the
power OF enforcing such exemptions
would not be in the hands of military
men alone. He approved the LaFoIIette
amendment for civil tribunals to pass
upon questions of exemption.
The Iowa senator, declared he fav-
ored also an amendment which would
permit Colonel Roosevelt to go to the
front in command Of American troops.
"In every war some Americans have
put every obstacle in the way"
THE extreme pacifist always has
been with us" he said, "and frequent
ly he hampered the operations of the
government in and out OF congress-"
A system which permits the volun-
teer to sacrifice his life in defense of
his flag and permits the -shirlker to re-
main at home, he denounced as neith-
er fair, just. nor democratic.
1T is the duty Of the individual to
respond to the colors whenever the
nation DEGREES he is needed" he added,
the burden equally on the shoulders
Of all males Of military age"
Mr.. Kahn said honesty compelled
admiration Of the fighting quality and
valor of the conscripted Germans and
that soldiers who fought the battle Of
the Marine and are now driving back
the German forces were all men con-
scripted by France.
Under system OF universal obliga-
tion to serve in war time" he said,
these men were trained for an
emergency such as confronts them to-
day. Anyone who attempts to belittle
the valor OF the conscript does not
know what he is talking about.
There must be no blunders like
those made in the past. Every man
between 81 and 40 must know that
he is liable, to be called during the
progress or this war. His country will
determine when his services are need
ed and win notify him in proper time.
That is the democratic, fair and
equitable way"
Senator McCumber declared that TO-
100000 best-trained officers and men
would not win the war for the United
States IL the submarine were not over
come.
'.At the rate merchant shipping has
been destroyed the last thirty days."
he said. s'how long viii Great Britain
be able to hold out? II, by the use Of
these unseen instrumentalities Great
Britain could be eliminated from this
war, demoralized Russia would fall in |
a week, brave France would be crush |
ed, our foreign commerce would be de- |
stroyed and stagnation would hold in
It's grip the populous cities OF the |
Senator McCumber did not indicate |
his position on the bill
The house resumed debate under a |
plan to remain in session at least part |
of the night and to dispose Of the bin |
by d. m. tomorrow lie possible.
Chairman Dent closed the argument |
in favor of the volunteer amendment |
ln support OF straight-cut selective |
The house cheered Mr.. Kahn loudly
when he began.