The Washington herald., 1917-04-23


wisest course to take. 1t is democratic
ana Iair all around. I fear from the
experience England has had that our
present volunteer system would cause
delay, and impede the progress Of pre-
parednesse
Representative Caldwell, of Nsu
1ork' member of the Military AFFAIR.
COMMITTEES.
Il am in favor of the draft feature of
the bill and feel that 1t should be nut
INTO operation at the earliest possible
moment. The words draft and conscrip-
ton have come to have an odium given
70 them by the unfortunate use of the
draft methed after a suflcient force
| could not be obtained to meet The Nre-
auirementss by the volunteer enlistment.
NO such odium WIN attach II the draft
Is put into -nperatioR whiie athe yolun-
teers are coming in large numbers"
Senator Brady. of Idaho,
l think that study of all the fR-
ores and the statistics given BY Cant
r. u. r. Benson, of the English army.
before the House Military Affairs Com
nnttee, Will show that the volunteer
system In England was a failure. There
were 10000 raised by this system, and
l,5oo'ooo by conscriptIon, but the real ar
gument Is shown in the character and
ABILITY OF the men recruited under the
| two systems"
Senator Pomerene, Of OhIo,
think that the opinion OF Lord
Northcline' based upon England's mis-
takes IN the war pointing out the in
enicacy OF the volunteer system, CON-
stitutes one OF the strongest arguments
for this measure"
Representative Rogers, of the Far
eisn Affairs Committee of the House,
or course am in favor of the bill.
l recognize that the opposition is healthS,
out believe that the bill will pass"
Senator Wadsworth, of New York;
Let's proht by the experience of the
famous Princess Patricia's regiment Of
Canada, a crack cavalry mount, that was
unmounted in France for trench duty
and learn authoritatively returned only
forty out Of a roster OF 1,50o At for
further military duty. These men were
fitted for officers, but the system of en-
listment compelled service where they
were least fitted. England has learned
that the volunteer system is ineffective.
we must learn the lesson, and conserve
our fighting forces.''
Representative Kahn, of California,
of the Military Affairs Committee.
My opinion is best expressed in the
minority report which I have signed,
and will make public later, supporting
the selective eonscription plan OF the Sec
retary of War;
Theodore Marburg, former Minister
to Belgiumi
81 am strongly for compulsory mill
tary training and conscription.
DIR. Charles w. Eliot, president
emeritus of Harvard, before the House
Military Affairs Committeet
Il am in favor of establishing In this
country something similar to the Swiss
system Of universal military training"
Grant Hamilton, representing the
American Federation of Labor,
American labor stands solidly against
conscription."
Representative Tague, of Massachu-
settst .-
what the country needs as determined
by its military experts and those with
an intimate knowledge of the conditions
we must face. is what 1 favor. II that
means concription, shall probably be
for it."
Representative Gardner, of Massachu-
settS, pioneer In preparedness legisla-
tfon, saids
II don't think anybody doubts where
stand. My position has been plain for
several years"