The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-03-14
MILITANT RING TO
WILSON MESSAGE
Defense Measures to Predomi-
nate in Program. for Ex-
ira Session.
MAY BE ACTUALLY AT WAR
Universal Military Training To
Be Leading Issue Before
the Congress.

President Wilson's message to the
Sixty-ffth Congress, called into ex-
traordinary session April 16, will be
sharply militant.
Defense measures such as the coun-
try has not been called upon to pro-
vide since the Spanish war will be
urged by the President for prompt &C.
ton.
These are expected to include:
Legislation covering all matters
collateral with the defense OF the
American merchant marine:
Suggestion for action on some form
of universal service or training to
prepare the American Youth for serv-
fee on land and sea IL called upon:
Appropriations for the army; and
Conservation measures which will
release for immediate use mineral
and oil resources now locked up in
public lands.
Appeal to Country.
Universal training promises to be
the biggest question facing Con-
Eress. President Wilson and Secre-
tary of War Baker have sent out an
appeal for "thoughtful public opinion
on the needs and wishes Of the coun-
try" on this radical departure from
the military traditions of the coun-
try"
In answer to the plea, newspapers
are found, thus far, to favor-about
bto THE adoption of some universal
training plan.
But. according to the military
IL. -
"far ahead of the people" on the
question. kilograms and letters
from 1.-THE folks back home" show
strong aversion to any compulsory
universal service or training.
This registration of public opinion
is being carefully compiled and will
be consulted by the President before
he addresses Congress next month.
1t is probable he will not recommend
the adoption of any specific plan, but
will strongly urge some training
measure"
The Chamberlain BILL
Senator Chamberlain. said today he
planned to re-introduce his own uni
versaI service bill and TRY to get it
through in some FORM
The President will also urge imme-
date action on a measure to extend
the powers of the shipping board ito
meet the special needs Of the new
situation into which our commerce
has been forcedsh - 90
Developments between now and
April I6, of course. may entirely
change and increase the scope of the
Presidents preparedness program. IT
is entirely possible, for instance, that
the situation between the United
States and Germany will be such that
the President will be forced to. an
nounce a state Of war actually ex-
istinfi when Congress reassembles.
Other Measures Up.
In addition to these outstanding pre-
paredness measures the President will
ask the new Congress to act DIN the
following:
Increase of the gold reserve Of the
national banking system. to meet the
unusual circumstances of the existing
financial situation"
Appropriation of funds for West
Point and action upon the general de-
hciency bill:
Increase of the membership of the
Interstate Commerce Commission:
Action on the water-power bill. and
Enaction of legislation permitting
such combinations of capital and OF
organization in the export and import
trade OF the country las circumstances
of international competition have
made imperative"
1t appears inevitable now that the
whole railroad Legislative program
will have to be threshed out by the
new Congress. II a railroad strike
is called, as threatened, or II the
Supreme Court declares the Adamson
eight-hour law unconstitutional, new
legislation may have e. be substi-
tuted.