The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-27
WAR OF WORDS ON
Friends and Enemies of Con-
scription Still at 1t.
Kenyon of Iowa Says He Takes
National, Not State, View.

Washington, April 81. Under
forced draft pressure the senate
began today at 10 oclock-two hours
earlier than the house-its concluding
drive to put thru the presidents selec-
tive CONSUMPTION plan for raising an
army.
A night session is in prospect in the
upper house. Sixteen senators have
said they would speak.
Three great things to convince the
enemy of the futility of continuing -
terrible struggle are necessary de-
clared Senator Jones, Washington, ia
voring CONSUMPTION in opening debate.
I'VE should first drill, train, equip
and make ready at the earliest stage
an army of one million men; second,
we should conserve our national re-
sources and human power by destroy
ing thruout the nation the liquor traf-
tic; third, we should stamp our pro-
fession of democracy with the seal of
sincerity by enfranchising the integ-
rity, intelligence, purity and lofty
patriotism of our women" Jones de-
clared.
Kenyon, Iowa. declared he would
vote for CONSUMPTION and against the
volunteer system, despite the fact that
his constituents feel they oppose con-
scription.
Il will do it with full realization of
| how unpopular it is in my state" he
said. Because / try to view these
! tremendous questions from national
standpoint rather than a state view
point
! House debate approached the end
| this afternoon when Representative
Kahn, California, closing denounced
the volunteer system and begged the
house to stand by the president.
Kahn, a Republican, but leader of
the Democratic administrations forces,
received a rousing welcome of cheers
| as he rose
| Chairman Dent of the military com
mittee was to follow him, closing de-
! bate for the volunteer proponents.
| Dent announced that he would ask the
| mouse to sit this evening and that he
hoped to get house vote by tomor-
| row evening.
ShirISer Is Benefited.
I'm all our wars" Kahn said, 1--WE
| have had among us those who op-
posed our entrance into the struggle
and who put every obstacle in the way
warfare in defense of the rights of
| these United States
Il have no doubt our former volun-
| teers were indeed as brave and cour-
ageous as any that fought for the
| country's honor. But the system which
; permits the volunteer to sacrifice his
life and permits the si1irker to remain
at home is neither fair, just nor demo-
| era tic.
I'VE, who believe in selective draft
|
republic, to respond whenever and
| however the nation DEGREES.
| Every individual who enjoys the
| blessings of civil and religious free
| dom guaranteed by this government
owes in return a duty to serve when
called. Obligatory universal service
1 puts all citizens on an equality.
I'VE propose by selective draft to
place the burden equally on the Shout
ders of all males of military age"
| Senator KENYON of Iowa rod he
| favored also an amendment which
would permit Colonel Roosevelt to go
to the front in command of American
| troops.
1t would be an inspiring thing"
he said, IF Colonel Roosevelt could
lead a division side by side with the
| tri-color of France. Nothing would
help bring the war to a speedy end
as much as that But they saw il
would demoralize our army 1t seems
to me it would demoralize the enemy
more