The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-04-10
FAVORS
C0NSCR|PT|ON PLAN
WILL NOT USE THE VOLUN-
TEER SYSTEM.
Army Heads Say That Half Mil
lion Men Must Be Recruited
at Once.

sonal influence into the scales today
in an effort to overcome opposition
In congress to the administration
army plans based on the draft sys-
tenn.
Summoning Chairman Dent of the
house military committee to the
White House, the president made it
clear that he believed the safety OF
the nation hangs on the action OF
congress in this regard. He will
make similar situation tomorrow
to Representative Anthony of Kan
sas, who has led opposition to the
draft plan among Republican mem
bers Of the military committee.
In his action today the president
recognized the fact that there may
be strong feeling in congress in IA
vor OF adhering to the old volunteer
system and sought to bring home to
Mr.. Dent, one OF those who hold that
view, the lesson to be drawn from
the great war into which the United
States now has been plunged and
which all point, military advisers OF
the government declare, to the abso-
lutte necessity of facing the issue
Isquarely and summoning men to the
colors by draft.
compromise plan may be offered
by the opponents OF compulsory ser
vice.
A sentiment for such a move was
evident in Mr.. Dents committee be-
fore which Secretary Baker and the
military chiefs of the department as
sembled in full strength during the
day to support the administrators
policy. There was no indication,
however. that compromise would
be accepted by the president.
Talk OF Conscription.
In the senate debate on conscrip-
tion occupied much time during dis
cussion OF the regular army appro-
Ipriation bill.
AS a result OF Chairman Dents at
titude II is possible that some other
member of the house committee will
present the administration bill if it is
reported substantially in the form in
which it was drawn. The chairman,
agreed to Introduce it "by request"
which means that he would take no
responsibility for it.
While refusing to discuss his con-
ference with the president for publ
cation, Mr.. Dent admitted that no
conclusion was reached
He said: There is no chance on
earth Of the hill coming out OF the
committee in any form within a week
at least The main controversy -
over the question of conscription.
There is no question, however. on the
part of any one as to giving the presi-
dent all the men and money needed
to carry on the war. The only con.
troversy is as to the means Of doing
60"
Before the house committee Sec
retary Baker stood firmly for the gen
eral staff plans.
hot SNStStb.
Would you prefer" Representa-
tive Anthony asked, authority to
raise volunteer army within 80
days rather than to raise the 100000
under a selective draft that might
take six months"
Il prefer the selective draft sys-
ITEM" replied the secretary.
Mr.. Baker approved a suggestion
that instead OF authorizing, two in
crements OF selective draft forces,
100000 to an increment, the bill au-
thorizes the president to call as
many such increments from time to
time as he may deem necessary.
In the senate the 1913 appropria-
ton bill, designed to carry on the ex.
listing military establishment. made
rapid progress. IL has passed the
house already and came from the
senate committee carrying a total OF
which is in addition TO
the 100000 now asked for the
army TO meet the war emergency.
The bill now contains a section
which does away with the grade Of
brigadier general, substituting a Sc
Eior and junior division of the grade
OF major general instead.
The new section also proposes that
the chief of staff be given the rank