The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-04-18
Unanimous Action Brings Sew
en- Billion Dollar Measure
to President For
Signature.
ARMY IS TILE NEXT STEP
Two Million Men In Next Two Years
is important Step Now to be
Taken up BY
Congress.
TBy Carl D. Groat, United Press
staff CORRESPONDENT


staff CORES pondent.1
WASHINGTON, April 1S.-Ratsing
an army of two million men in two
years Is the next step confronting the
nation.
The great seven billion dollar bond
issue bill is now virtually law.
The senate having unanimously
passed it with minor amendments
last night, an agreement by con-
ferees of house and senate was eX-
pected by the time both houses con-
vene today at noon. The president
was expected to sign the measure
by this afternoon. The senate mill
tary committee was to report today
the administration bill for volunteers
to fill present open gaps In the regu
lar army and national guard. this to
be followed by selective draft.
House opposition to selective drafs
is believed to have been considerably
chilled by word from President Will
son and Secretary Of War Baker, that
the administration will not hearken
to any general volunteer plan, but
must have selective conscription-.
and that soon.
AS in times past white house pres
sure now promises to 'crumple con-
gress opposition.
Members who heretofore have
frankly declared they feared to go
"back for votes" if they favored the
conscription plan, have changed over
night Many Of these said they would
support the president regardless OF
political futures.
Furthermore, recalcitrant members
now feel that President Wilson on in
sisting on his conscription systems,
assumes the full responsibility before
the country and relieves them in
measure from pressure from home
folks.
If such opposition Still menaces the
bill, the administration will not hesi-
tate to take the names and cases of
the revolving members straight to the
public.
That administration officers are
tired Of house delay, is putting it
mildly. In fact military, men say that
the success of America in the war is
daily jeopardized by such proceed
ings.
In answer to those favoring volun-
teering, the administration has
pointed out that the present bill pro-
vides for upwards of five hundred
thousand volunteers to bring the
regular army and national guard to
complete strength.
Once the army measure is disposed
of, government espionage and other
war measures will be taken up. While
congress proceeds with war legisla
ton, diplomatic problems, particular
ly the Russian situation are receiving
serious thought. Means of solidify-
ing Russian sentiment and action
against the German intrigue and
peace overtures will doubtless be one
of the chief topics of the American
allied commissioners
President Determined
WASHINGTON, April 1S.-Deter-
mined to rush his selective conscrip-
ton bill through congress with all
speed, President Wilson today rent
to the capitol to confer with Chairman
Chamberlain of the senate committee
and other leaders.
The president told Chamberlain the
bill must go through at once and with
out change from the form suggested
by the army war college and army
general staff for the welfare Of the
nation"
The president reached the capitol
as the senate military committee was
considering his measure. His con-
ference with Chamberlain lasted only
fifteen minutes.
"The president merely wanted to
know how our committee was pro-
gressing," said Chamberlain, 81 told
him we probably would report it to
the senate today"
Almost at the moment the president
and Chamberlain were comforting,
Representative James H. Davidson,
(Contfnued on page 2l