Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1917-03-02
EXPECT NO ACTION
ON MILITARY BILLS

COMPULSORY TRAINING PROB.
ABLY WILL NOT BE ACTED
ON BY CONGRESS.
1t is practically certain that the
question of compulsory military
training will not get a hearing in
the present session of congress un-
less the long awaited German covert
act" should materialize before
March 4, though the army STATS
measure is now before that body.
Administration support of this
proposition has been more than luke
warm and doubtless will continue to
be for some time. It is held, how
ever. that the wide agitation of the
question has formed an important
contribution to the campaign of edu-
cation which must precede as i'm
portant a legislative departure as
universal military training presup-
poses.
II there should be war with Ger
many, the pressure Of public opinion
may compel the president to change
front, but without war. there is no
expectation that anything can be
done for some time.
Those who favor universal train
ing purposes keeping up the fight.
session after session. until a point
has been reached where public opin-
ion will demand that congress act.
This will happen, they believe, be-
fore the end of Mr.. Wilson's second
term.
War Up to Germans.
On the question of whether there
is to be war. nobody can throw any
light. Everything is up to the Ger
mans. President Wilson knows 40
more from day to day than does the
average citizen. He is merely wait
ing to see what will turn up. It IS
no secret that he fears the worst and
is preparing the country for it, but
he is in no hurry to force the coun-
try into war. There is plenty to do
beforehand and he realizes that the
war. should 1t come. will last long
enough to satisfy the most enthusi-
astic "bellicist."
1t is the belief of the administra-
ton that the country can we'll az
ford to curb it's indignation so long
as Germany does not hasten a crisis
by destroying American lives and
ships. Obviously. it is pointed out,
the president cannot take the coun-
try into his confidence in regard to
precautionary steps he may be TAX
ing.
1t is we'll in this connection, say
his advisers. to recall the period be-
fore the war with Spain when Presi-
dent Mckinley was severely criti-
cized for his apparent inaction. He
was actually making vital prepare
lions. however. He expended a great
many millions before congress appro-
priated the $50,OOO.000 which was
supposed to have been expended at
forwards.
He did this after consulting sena-
tors and representatives and showing
them the necessity for celebrity and
secrecy in taking certain precautions
and obtained from them the assur-
ance tina: any expenditures he might
make would be approved by congress.
History May BE Repeated.
The same situation may exist to-
day. for all that the public knows.
When Germany destroys an Ameri-
can ship or American lives a crisis
will be at hand. The president will
not ask congress to declare that a
state of war exists, but his request
for authority to use force to defend
American life and property will be
tantamount to beginning a state Of
war.
Every day of delay before what
a majority of public men regard as
an inevitable break with Germany,
will be of value, it Is pointed out, in
making preparation for war.
The public understands pretty we'll
what an covert act" means as applied
I to the present situation. and 1t is
noted that NO definition is to be
found Of It in international law.
Governments, say the authorities.