New Britain herald., 1917-04-28
In Favor of Roosevelt negion.

m F1vOr O1 Roosevelt Legion.
 Senators Curtis, republican, of Kansas and Smith. republican of Michigan, also endorsed the Roose- Welt plan. Senator Lodge spoke at length in it's favor. T can see no reason why men who earnestly desire to fight for their country in France. if physically fit, should not be per- mitted to offer their lives if they want to. It cannot inture the principle of universal compulsory service" said Senator Lodge.
 ''The one man who would be able to raise these divisions alone would bo Colonel Roosevelt. He is known in Europe as no other American. He would be a help and encouragement to the soldiers of all the allied nations
 Marshal Joffre. if he could express an opinion, would favor the Roosevelt expedition, Senator Lodge predicted. ''It is impossible for me to con- ceive why the administration or con- gress should refuse to Colonel Roose- welt and his volunteers the oppor- tunity to give their lives to theii' country if they SO desire.'' said the Massachusetts senator. Colonel Roosevelt does not seek tho comma nd unless as subordinate omcer. Hc would have the expedition under a regular array officer. It is not per- l sonal self-seeking. For heavens sake, is there any reason why he should n0 l be given an opportunity of he desires, 1 to give his life for which he regards ] as the most sacred of all causes?' ] asked Senator Lodge.
 1 sulzer Also Wants to Fight. 1 Senator Stone of Missouri, suggested that former Governor Sulzer of New York also desires to raise a division. eff any man, by his own personal in fuence or weight in his community. can raise a division under this amend ment," Senator Lodge replied, II shall be glad to see him do 1t"
 Senator Williams of Mississippi said he. favored allowing Colonel Roose- welt to recruit volunteer expedition but not to command it.
 ''He Is competent to command regiment but by no means 8 division" said Senator williams. II would like to see him here, but not as commander in chief. I also would like to see 10000 American regulars there. They would show those Europeans something just like the Canadians. I have no objection to Col. ROose- welt going.''
 Million Traitors in America.
 s"There are one million traitors in America including a certain number of German sympathizers," he said. 1T want to weed out that element. If they resist the draft they will be interned. Conscription will separate the loyal and disloyal Americans"
 He also said he approved conscrip tion in the hope that, with the defeat of Germany, it will be possible to end universal military conscription forever throughout the world.
 The military volunteer sponsors were astonished at the strength de- veloped by the administration forces. When the members lined up to pass the tellers it looked almost as if the whole house was about to vote for conscription, Chairman Dent of the military committee heading the vol unteer forces, finally gave up counting the votes.
 Miss Rankin Against Draft.
 Miss Rankin. the Montana member, voed for the volunteer amendment with Speaker Clark and Chairman Padgett of the naval committee. Re- publican leader Mann voted for con- scription. Democratic Leader Kitchin, busy with revenue legislation, did not vote.
 When Representative Saunders of Virginia, presiding, announced the Kahn amendment carried, 279 to 98, there was thunderous applause from the floor and the galleries.
 Debate in the senate today was begun by Senator Harding of Ohio in support of the bill and also his amendment to permit Colonel Roose- welt to raise four divisions of volun- teers for immediate service abroad.
 Senator Harding said the amend ment was not to be misconstrued as inimical to the general plan of con- scription which he endorsed
 ''It does not underestimate the necessity for our deliberate prepara- tion of an army of a million men," he said, while laying the foundaion of