The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-04-14
PRESIDENT FAv0RS DRAFTING,
THROWS WEIGHT OF HIS INFLU.
ENCE TO REMOVE OPPO.
SITION IN CONGRESS.
Deems 1t Only Safe Plan for America
to Adopt at This Time for Prosccu.
ton of War-Conscription Scheme
Has Opposition i'm Both Houses.

sonar influence into the scales today
IN an effort to overcome opposition
In congress to the administration army
plans based on the draft system.
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 a similar explanation of the
military situation tomorrow to Repre-
sentative Anthony of Kansas, who has
led opposition to the draft plan among
Republican members of the military
committee.
In his action today the president
recognized the fact that there may be
strong feeling in congress in favor
of adhering to the old volunteer sys-
tenn and sought to bring home to
Mr.. Dent, one of those who hold that
view, the lesson to be drawn from tn
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
squarely and summoning men to the
colors by draft.
A 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 administration
policy. There was no indication
however, that compromise would be
accepted by the president.
In the senate debate on conscrip-
ton occupied much time during dis
cussion of the regular army appro.
priation bill
AS a result Of Chairman Dents at
titude it 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" 4"
which means that he would take no
responsibility for it,
While refusing to discuss his con-
ference with the president for publi-
cation, Mr.. Dent admitted that no
conclusion was reached.
He said: There is no chance on
earth of the bill coming out of the
committee in any form within a week
at least. The main controversy is over
the question of CONSUMPTION. There
is no question, however, on the part
OF any one as to giving the president
all the men and money needed to
carry on the war. The only contro-
versy is as to the means of doing So
Before the house committee Sec
retary Baker stood firmly for the gem
eral staff plans.
Would you prefer" Representa- ,
Anthony asked, authority to raise
volunteer army within 80 days rather
than to raise the 10000 under a Sc
lective draft that might take six
months?"
Il prefer the selective draft sys-
tem," 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 1918 appropria-
ton bill, designed to carry on the ex-
listing military establishment, made
rapid progress. 1t has passed the
house already and came from the sem
ate committee carrying a total o..
sz7S,000,000, which is in addition to
the $3,OOO,OOO now asked for the army
to meet the war emergency.
The bill now contains a section
which does away with the grade of
5rigadier general, substituting a Sc
nior and Junior division of the grade
Of major general instead.
The new section also proposes tina.
the chief of staff be given the RANK
Of general, senior of all other army
officers. while in that position. This
parallels changes in navy practice
where the chief of operations has been
made ranking admiral Of the navy.
similarly departmental commanders
would become generals and provision
Is made for the recreation Of the
grade of lieutenant general