Licking Valley courier., 1917-05-03
DRAFT BILL Wins,
UP TO PRESIDENT
Opponents Of Measure Over
thrown by the Forces Of the
Administration.
VOTE IS ALMOST UNANIMOUS
Supporters Of Volunteer Plan Were
Astounded at til e Tremendous
Strength Developed by the
.u. Administration.


Washington, April 30.-Administra-
ton forces overthrew opponents Of Sc
lective cOnscriptlon in the senate and
house and the bill went through by
large majOrlties.
In the house the supporters of the
volunteer plan were astounded at the
tremendous strength developed by the
administration forces. When the mem
hers lined up to pass the tellers 1t
looked almost as II the whole house
was about to vote for conscriptiOn.
Chairman Dent of the military com
mittee heading the volunteer forces
finally gave up counting the votes.
The debate was begun by Senator
Harding Of Ohio In support Of the ad-
minIstratlon bill and also his amend
ment to permit Colonel Roosevelt to
raise four divisions of volunteers for
immediate service abroad. He said
the amendment was not to be miscon-
strued as Inlmlcal to thu. general con-
scrlptlOn.
III does not underestimate the i'm
pressiveness of our deliberate prepara-
tion of an army of million men," he
said, while laying the foundation OF
lO.000,000 more, II need be, to say that
an immediate force of American volun-
teers weuld put new life In every al
He'd trench and a new glow in every
allied campfire on every battle front
In Europe.
Lodge Backs Roosevelt Plan.
Senators Curtis Q,ep.) of Kansas
and Smith (Rep.) Of Michigan also in
dorsed the Roosevelt plan. Senator
Lodge spoke at length in its favor.
81 can see no reason why men over
twenty-five who earnestly desire to
fight for their county in France. II
physically fit, should not be permitted
rto offer their lives, e they want to- IL
thnn0tS njdre the principle of univer-
. sal compulsory service" said Senator
Lodge.
The one man who would be able TO
raise these divisions alone would be
Colonel Roosevelt. He is known in
Europe as Is no other American. His
presence there would be help and en-
couragement Of the soldiers of the al.
lied nations.
Says Joffre Would Favor II.
Marshal Joffre, If he could express
an opinion, would favor the Roosevelt
expedition.
ut is impossible for me TO conceive
why the administration or congress
should refuse to Colonel Roosevelt and
his volunteers the opportunity TO give
their lives to their country If they so
desire. Colonel Roosevelt does not
seek the command unless as subor-
dinate officer. It Is not personal self
seeking. For heavens sake, Is there
any reason why he should not be CIV
en- an opportunity, II he desires, to
give his life for what he regards as
the most sacred Of all causes?"
Senator Stone of Missouri suggested
that Former Governor Sul2er of New
York also desired to raise division
"lf any man by his own personal In
fluence or weight in his community
can raise n division under this amend
ment," Senator Lodge replied, 81 shall
be glad to see him do IT,"
Wouldn't Let Roosevelt Lead.
Senator Williams of Mississippi SAID
he favored allowing Colonel Roosevelt
10 recruit n volunteer expedition, but
not to command It.
"He Is competent to command 1
regiment, but by no means Il division,
said Senator Williams. ~ should lik,
to see him there, but not as commnn
der In chief. | also should like to Sc,
10000 American regulars there; the!
would show those European folk
something, Just as the Canadians have
i have no Personal objections to Col
onel Roosevelt's going"
Registering his approval of conscriT
tion Senator Williams said he favore
II, for one reason, because II will "wee
out disloyal from loyal Americans"
"Therc are 100000 traitors 4
America. Including considerable nun
ber Of German sples," he said. "
want to weed out that element. !
they resist the draft they will he II
termed"