The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-04-10
Tells House Committee That
Safety of Nation De-
ponds on Drafting.
STRONG OPPOSITION
TO DRAFT IN. SIGHT
Many in Both Houses Favor
VOlunteers-Bill Won't
Be Out for Week.

Washin gtOn, April 9.-President
Wilson exerted his personal influence
today in an effort to overcome opposi-
ton in congress to the administration
army plans based on the draft system.
Summoning Chairman Dent of the
house military committee, now con-
sidering the bill, to the White House,
the president made it clear that he be-
on the action of congress in this re-
gard.
In the war address Mr. Wilson told
congress that in his judgment the
United States must face her enemy
with a certain weapon in the form of
an army raised by application of the
principle Of universal liability for mill
tary service as q duty of citizenship.
experimenting that, he issued a state
ment approving in every detail the de-
partmental plans. which have the
unanimous approval of the army gen.
eral staff.
Strong Opposition.
In his action today, however, the
president recognized the fact that
there may develop a strong feeling in
congress in favor Of adhering to the
old volunteer system and sought to
bring home to Mr.. Dent one of those
who holds that view, the lessons to be
drawn from the great war; which all
oirt will 1yy;s 81 In
ment declare, to the absolute necessity
of summoning men to the colors by
draft.
A compromise plan may be offered
by oppon ents OF compulsory service.
a sentiment for such a move was evil
dent in Mr.. Dents committee before
which Secretary Baker and the mill
tary chiefs of the war department as
sembled during the day to support the
administrations policy. There was no
indication. however that compromise
would be accepted by the president.
During a senate debate on con-
scription Senator Kirby, one of the six
senators who voted against a war
resolution, offered an amendment
which would authorize the president
to call volunteers in lots of half a mil
lion each. The amendment is subject
to a point of order and probably will
be disposed of that way without de-
bate.
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, as officials hope it will be,
substantially in the form in which it
was drawn. Representative Kahn,
ranking Republican member, has been
consistent advocate Of universal
military training and service for years.
While refusing to discuss his confer
ence with the president, Mr.. Dent ad-
mitted that no conclusion was reached
Bill Out in Week.
There is no chance on earth Of the
bill coming out of the committee in
any form within a week at the least, .
he said. 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 controversy is
as to the means of doing so.'
Mr.. Dent indicated that he was
anxious to maintain harmony of view
and action within the committee. He
was not ready today to talk about the
nature Of the compromise Of which he
is thinking.
Discussion of the regular army ap-
preparation bill had been perfunctory
in the senate until a section authoriz-
ing advertising agencies to obtain re-
cruits for the army was reached
Chairman Chamberlain said it was
considered necessary to get men anC
instanced the fact that recruiting 70,
the national guard had not been sue.
cessful.
Recruits have flocked to nationa
guard headquarters ever since The
German amba ssador was sent home,
declared Senator Wadsworth, but nov
I hear the war department has sen
out orders forbidding the guard to ac,
ccpt recruits"
Favors Volunteers.
Senator Nelson, a veteran of tn,
civil war. declared himself in favor o
call for volunteers.
Il venture to say" said he, that i
the president calls for voluntee
army of 100000 men and says that i
is going to Europe and fight, Their
would be no trouble at all. What tn
boys dread above all is to be statione'
in camp with nothing but drills an