Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-10-06
Wisconsin Senator Given
Chance to Answer His
Critics.
DEFENDS ATTACKS
ON WAR POLICIES
Admits We Are in War and Must Pro-
pare to See it Thru to Finish-ln-
sists On Right Of People to Criticize
President and consress-Demands
Objects Of War be Stated by Con-
sress Rather Than by Wilson.

" dSuillStOI, oCl. o.~IOIlSTSSS CAs-
tered the last hours Of the session with
all attention turned to the senate,
where Senator LaFollette took the floor
at 10 o'clock to make a three hour
speech in answer to critics who hae
petitioned for his expulsion because of
his course and public utterances toward
the war.
Members of the house, which only
was marking time waiting for the sen.
ate, focked to the senate chamber.
where galleries and floor were jammed
in expectation Of a spectacular finale
to the session, which had appropriated
hitherto unheard Of billions for Ameri-
cas- participation in the world war and
has passed a score Of war measures in
an incredibly short time.
LaFollette, always a spectacular fig
ure In debate and acknowledged as no
mean opponent by his enemies, had
spent yesterday and part Of the night
in preparation Of his speech.
Defends Attack on War Policies.
Standing before his seat In the front
row, LaFollette began his address,
reading carefully his manuscript, with
senators giving close attention. De-
Tending his course in attacking; war
policies IyaFollette declared:
TT is the citizens duty to obey tn
law until it is repealed or declared un-
But he has the in-
alienable right to fight what he deems
obnoxious law or wrongful policy in
the courts and at the ballot box.
''1t is the suppressed emotion Of the
masses that breeds revolution. If the
American people are to carry on this
great war; II public opinion is 70 be
enlightened and intelligent, there must
be free discussion.
Congress, as well as the people OF
the United States, entered the war In
great confusion Of mind. and under
feverish excitement. The president s
leadership was followed unquestionably
in the faith that he had some big, un-
revealed plan by which peace that
would exalt him before all the world
would soon be achieved.
Talk Must Be Free.
Gradually, reluctantly, congress and
the country are beginning to perceive
that we are in this terrific world con-
f1ict not only to right our wrongs, not
only to aid the allies. not only to share
its awful death toll and It's fearful tax
burdens. but perhaps to bear the brnnt
of the war.
"And SO, say, If we are to foreetall
the danger OF being drawn into years OF
=-a- rerha rs finally to attain Imperial
ism and exploitation, the ,eopi@ ;:;+s
mite in a campaign Observation-Disclosures
al lines for free discussion Of the policy
of the war and its conclusion on just
basis
While It was true that the war must
he gone thru with, he said 1t was not
true that I'VE must go thru to tho enc
TO accomplish an undisclosed purpose
to reach an unknown goal
Admits We Must Prepare.
Every preparation for prosecuting the
war must be made, the Wisconsin SEN
ator declared, but he claimed the right
To discuss honest differences OF opinion.
"shall we ask the people to shut
the,r ewes and take the entire war pro-
rramt on faith?~ he asked. '"The sway
"a naralyze the German armies IS to
declare our objects in this war and
show that we do not attempt to dictate
a government for Germany. If the OBJ
,ectives Of this war are clearly stated
and the people approve they Will give
nopular support 1t will never other-
wise receive"
Az he proceeded, Senator LaFollette
gradually drew toward his CUSTOMARY
Are Of delivery. gestdring with clenched
f,st as he referred to free speech and
va ising his voice at times with emo
tional emphasis.
"1one.t dealing with out allies also
-en,,;re g clear statement of our OBJ
iect.." he declared. IF we do not ex-
pect to support them in the dreams OF
conquest that fact should be stated and
our people are entitled to know that
vitally important fact before this war
nroceeds farther. Common honesty
and fair dealings require the fullest
and freest discussion before the people
Of all issues involved and that plain
and specrfc dse:.s.: ..::: q ess.r n.,rncses
be speedily made by the congress"
s, Riaht Of Free Speech Violated.
Emphasizing the denial of free
speech, Senator LaFollette added:
"There has never been time for a
century and half when the right OF
free speech and free press and the
right Of the people to assemble TOR
public discussion has been SO violated
among English speaking people as they
are violated today in the United