The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-12
PRESIDENT HOLDS
To HIS ORIGINAL
MILITARY PLANS
He VIII Insist Upon a Universal
Service Law.
Make Aggressive Fight to Force
Congress to Act.
ANTHONY WANTS VOLUNTEERS
Kansan Proposes a Call for
100000 Men at Once.
Naval Operations Placed Under
Strict Censorship.
By E. r. SARTWELL.

Washington, April 1--we cannot
win this war without an army" was
the determination reached by the ad
ministration as President Wilson pre-
pared for vigorous, aggressive Sight
to force the war department ''selec-
tive draft plan thru congress.
The decision 10 concentrate all of
the administration influence behind
the conscription bill now before the
house was reached at a conference
between President Wilson and Secre-
tary of War Baker. Both had visited
the capitol and had tested the senti-
ment of the house where formida bic
opposition to the conscription plan
threatens serious delay in the enact
ment of the army legislation demanded
by the president.
Secretary Baker after his conference
at the White House declared that
there would be no change in the ad
ministrations attitude toward the con-
scription bill and that every effort to
secure early action on the measure
would be made. 1t was understood
that the administration leaders in the
house will be urged to get behind the
bill at once. in order that it may be
passed before the opposition grows to
more threatening proportions.
Wilson and Clark Confer.
President Wilson spent an hour in
conference with Speaker Clark and
Democratic Leader Kitchin. While
various war measures were discussed,
the president was particularly anxious
about the conscription bill. He was
told that the opposition had not been
fully developed but that it was by no,
means negligible.
Representative Kitchin himself is
opposed to enacting a permanent uni
versal service law but it was suggest
ed that both the Democratic leader
and other opponents of the general
principle of conscription might forego
their opposition if the administration
bill was amended TO make it plain that
the "selective draft plan was to be
effective merely for the period of the
war. Neither the president nor Secre-
tary Baker would commit himself on
this proposal.
compromise proposal was put for
ward while Secretary Baker was be-
fore the house military affairs COM
mittee urging speedy action on the
army bill.
Anthony's Plan.
Representative Anthony of Kansas,
leader of the opposition, proposed that
a call be issued for 100000 volunteers
while the first selective draft incre-
ment of 100000 was being raised. Sec
retary Baker declared that the war de-
partment preferred the selective draft
plan alone.
He explained that the department
now proposed to bring the regular
army up to 2s7,o00 men and the Ma
tional Guard up to war strength by
volunteers, before taking in the first
selective draft increment. Heretofore
the plan contemplated a regular army
of only 100000.
The ar department went ahead to-
day with it's plans for handling the
new army and complete arrangements
were ordered for the training and Of
ficering of the force. The department
will be ready to move just as soon as
congress can pass the bill.
Naval operations have gone under
the strict censorship that has been i'm
posed since the beginning of the war
All information as to plans for CO.
operation between the American fleet
and the entente navies was suppressed
and strict regulations were issued re-
specting all movements of ships and
officers. 1t was stated that for the
present there will be no announce
ment as to naval operations