The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-04-24

'"aSnlnSlOn, April l4.-fdSSaS0 Oh
the war army bill by the end of the
week was forecast today upon the as
semblage of congress. General de
hate on the measure continued in
both houses. A vote may be reached
in the house Thursday, ana In the
senate BY Saturday.
System Failed.
Lieutenant General Bridges, mem.
Der of the British commission, de-
clared here today in a talk with
newspaper correspondents that tle
British democracy had become al.
most "fanatical" over universal mill
tary service. = The volunteer system
under which the empire entered the
war, General Bridges said, has cost
the lives of the most valuable citi-
zens, crippled industrial mobilization,
and immeasurably set back Eng
lands efforts in the war.
What War Means.
WAR" said General Bridges, "is
no longer war of expeditions, but is
a case of nation against nation. Men,
women and children are equally
drawn into its vortex. The women
and children being forced into indus
try and fed on half ratiOns in order
to supply the men at the front. Wal
has become an immensely democrat
ic business, and needs the full effort
of every member OF the community
directed along the line, most neces-
sary to be served"
Attention is focused mainly in the
house, where opposition to the ad-
ministration's plan for raising an
army by selective draft is started.
In the senate, passage of the bill
virtually without modification is ex-
pcclcd
With both houses of congress de-
batting the war army bill today, 1t be.
came more than ever apparent that
there is no fight over whether great
army shal be raised, the only ques-
ton being what strength can be mus
tered by opponents Of the administra-
tons selective plan.
Certain to Pass Senate.
In the senate passage of the gen.
eral staff bill, virtually without
change is regarded as certain; on the
house side the presidents supporters
also are confident of success, though
tle contest there will be bitter Dis
cussion in tn senate may continue un-
til Saturday, but the house, Under a
tenta tive agreement for 1S hours of
general debate, probably will be
ready to vote by Thursday.
Most Speeches Favor Draft.
Most Of the speeches in the house
were in favor Of the administration
plans, after Representative Dent.
chairman of the military committee;
had made an opening statement earn
estly supporting the bill as amended
by his committee to authorize calls
for volunteers, with provision for ap-
plying the draft only if the volunteer
system fails. Representative Kahn
of California, ranking republican Of
the committee, appeared in the
unique position of spokesman for the
president and leader of the admins
tration forces.
Both Sides Heard in Senate.
Senators Wadsworth and Weeks
vigorously advocating the draft and
Senator Thomas as strongly opposing
it, made the principal addresses in
the senate.
Chairman Chamberlain of the SEN
ate committee, said tonight that he
might seek unanimous consent We'd
nesday for vote tha: day, or Thurs
day. He said he did not expect to
endeavor to use the new cioture rule,
both because he was not certain he
could get the two-thirds necessary to
invoke it, and because it might result
in more talk than would follow in the
normal course.