The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1917-04-27

Washington, April 24-Debate on
the army bill continued in congress
today, with the desire to talk about
the methods the United States should
use in raising her millions of fighting
men unabated. Leaders in neither
house could predict with confidence
when vote might be reached.
The house hopes to vote by Friday,
but there are more than sixty members
waiting to speak. In the senate only
few senators have been heard, and
Chairman Chamberlain of the military
committee said tonight many had in
dicated their intention to discuss the
dill before agreeing to a vote. He
probably will sound out sentiment to-
morrow, however, on unanimous con-
sent arrangement for a vote as soon
as possible. The way the senate takes
this suggestion may have much to do
with the position of administration
leaders. They are 10th to resort to
the senate's new cloture rule or to ap-
ear in any way anxious to curtail
debate.
Opponents of the administration
selective draft plan found new hope
during the day when Speaker Clark
let it be known that he shared their
views and would make a speech To-
-s.sl.ssslk ". aaEor Of the majority house
committee volunteer amendment.
In the senate Senator LaFollette In
croduced a substitute for the admins
tration bill, proposing to eliminate the
draft feature and submit the question
Of raising an army to a referendum,
through the director Of the census ard
The postmasters.
Discussion today in both houses
came largely from the friends of the
olunteer system. 1t was not heard
by large crowds either on the floors or
in the galleries.
The longest speech of the day was
made by representative Fields of Ken
lucky, democrat of the military COM
mittee, who argued for the volunteer
plan, and declared that the war depart
ment's proposal to draft youths under
21 years of age involved a principle
on which he would not be guided by the
military experts of this or any other
nation.
Washington, April 24-Lieut. Gen.
Bridges, member of the British COM
mission declared here today in a talk
with newspaper correspondents that
the British democracy had become al
most "fanatical" over universal militia
ry service.
ne volunteer system under which
the empire entered the war, Gen.
Bridges said, has cost the lives of the
most valuable citizens, crippled indus
srial mobilization and immeasurably
set back England's efforts in the war
War" said Gen. Bridges, "is nc
longer war of expeditions, but is 8
case of nation against nation. Men
women and children are equally drawn
into the vortex, the women and chill
dren being forced into industry and fec
on half rations in order to supply the
men at the front, War has become al
immensely democratic business anc
needs the full effort of every member
of the community, directed along the
lines most necessary to be saved"
Gen. Bridges talked freely of the
difficulties which had beset England
at the beginning of the war.
"The source of our greatest Difficult.
ty," said Gen. Bridges, "was the send.
lg to Europe of practically our whole
trained army as an expeditionary
force. This robbed US of all training
,fficers for our new armies and it was
only through returned wounded officers
that we were able to build the skele-
ton of our new forces. At the same
me we allowed most of our better
'ss youths, university men in many
cases, to enter the ranks, which with
drew them from the officers class and
placed that responsibility on far less
veil equipped persons. The wastage
of the best blood of the nation was
enormous.