The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-05-19
ROOSEVELTPARTY
In SENATE YIELDS
Disappointed, But Accepts
Decision Of the President.
WILL NOT RENEW EFFORT
Colonel Friends Hope Wilson viii
Act FaVOrably Later.


Though deeply dIssppointed-even
resentful-that President Wilson
shorld turn down Coioners Roose-
VeIt's proffer OF raising q volunteer
force for fighting in France, those
who fathered the movement in the
upper branch OF Congress, apparently
yielded to the decision OF the Presi-
dent today like good soldiers"
1--WE are enlisted for the war; and
q good soldier Ealutes the com
mander-in-chief," Senator Harding
who offered the so-called Roosevelt
division amendment 10 the army BILL
said today.
Il am very, very sorry that the
President reached the decision he did,
but beyond that I can say nothing,
Senator johnson OF California de-
clared.
Both said that there would be no
further effort. In the Senate at least,
TO overruls the decision Of the Prssi-
dent and the general stan.
Friends of Colonel Roosevelt re-
d strained expression OF their true feel
ings with difficulty.
Senator Harding declared that the
Roosevelt division would have done
much to make the war popular,
'Manifestly," he said, 'the support
ers In Congress thought It the wise
thing to enact, else II would not have
been proposed and supported. The
intent was not political There was
no purpose to glorify Colonel Roose-
Welt Frankly. we were trying to
popularize the war-to do something
to awaken the American spirit and
10 mollify the hostility to the con-
scription plan.
May Yet Get Commission.
'T think It q most regrettable mis-
take to turn down the Roosevelt
,tender-And undoubtedly the country
thinks so-but we are enlisted for the
war. and a good soldier salutes the
commander-in-chief.
Now that 1t is a settled issue, It
lie interesting to know that after
the conference committee made its
nrst report, emitting the amendment,
Colonel Roosevelt wired a request
that all efforts be dropped rather
than hinder the army bill or embar.
rass the President. But the sup
porters continued their efforts sue
cessfully against his wishes, because
they thought they were contributing
to the countrys cause
There is a strong feeling in Congress
sional circles today that President vii.
son viii take care OF Theodore Roose.
welt later. The Colonel. OF course. haI
the opportunity afforded him by Gov.
ernor Whitman OF New York, to lead
a regiment from that State when Il
goes to Europe. but the Government
may offer him 4 command other thar
this.
Presidents Statement.
President Wilson's statement announc
ing that he would not avail himself Of
the authorization to send volunteer
forces to Europe at the present stag,
Of the war" follows:
I shall not avail myself. at any rat
At the present stage Of the war. OF tbs
authorization conferred by the act 4
organize volunteer divisions. To do .,
would seriously interfere with the carry
ing out OF the chief and most i'm
mediate important purpose contemplateC
by this legislation: the prompt creation
and early use OF an effective army. ant
would contribute practically nothing Il
the effective strength Of the armies nov
engaged against Germany.
Il understand that the section Of Thu
act which authorizes the creation o
volunteer divisions in addition to tn
draft was added with a view 70 provid
ing an independent command for Mr.
Roosevelt and giving the militar,
authorities an opportunity to use hi
dne vigor and enthusiasm In recruiting
the force now at the western front I
would be very agreeable to me to pa,
Mr. Roosevelt this compliment and tn
allies the compliment OF sending TO thei
aid one Of our most distinguished publ
men. an ex-President who has renders
proved his gallantry in many striking
ways. Politically. too, II would. n
doubt. have a very fine effect and max
a profound impression. But this Is no
the time or the occasion for compliment
or for any action not calculated to con
tribute to the immediate success Of tn
war. The business now in hand Is un
dramatic, practical. and Of scientih
defniteness and precision. ! shall &C
with regard 10 It at every step and 1
every particular under expert and pro
fessional advice. from both sides OF tn
water.
The Men Most Needed.
THAT advice is that the men mos
needed are men of the ages conten
plated in the draft provisions OF tn
present bill, not men OF the age an
sort contemplated in the sectio
WnlCn duLnOEALGE INC AoA AA6NAeA
volunteer units, and that for tn
preliminary training OF the men VIII
are to be drafted we shall need a
of our experienced officers. NJ
Roosevelt told me, when / had tn
pleasure OF seeing him a few week
ago, that he would wish to have a
ISOLATED with him some of the mos
effective officers OF the regular ARM
He named many OF those whom h
would desire to have designated 10
the service, and they were men VIII
cannot possibly be spared from tn
too small force OF officers at GU
command for the much more press
ing and necessary duty OF trainin
regular troops to be put into tn
field in France and Belgium as fas
as they can be got ready. The frs
troops sent to France will be take
from the present forces OF the regu
lar army, and will be under the con
mand OF trained soldiers only.
THE responsibility for the success
full conduct of our own part in thi
great war rests upon me. l coul
not escape Il IL I would I am to
much interested IN the cause we ar
fighting for to be interested in any
thing, but success. The issues In
volyed are too immense for me {
take into consideration anythin
whatever except the best, most q
fectiVe, most Immediate means G