Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-04-03
CONGRESS WEIGHS
WAR ACTION; RECESS


has a general plan which he shall
present to the committee
For the first few days at least in
terest in legislation connected with
successful carrying on of the war
must be confined to the house. Ii al
ready has agreed to pass under sus-
pension OF the rules. and without any
real delay, that 5000. Gao army ap.
preparation bill which failed at the
last session. The military academy
appropriation bill and al other appro-
pilation measures which were inter
ferred with by the fight against arm
ed neutrality in the senate in the last
session. Ii has been agreed that the
amendments which the government
considers necessary shall be tackled
on to the bills in the senate in order
to avoid delays.
There is no question that there
Is increasing public sentiment thruout
the country for big money gift, run
ming possibly 10 billion dollars, to
France in recognition of Frances
financial assistance in the early days
Of the American republic Many lead
ing senator's and representatives have
taken the position that such a gif
would be the greatest contribution
the United States could make to bring
the war to speedy end They say
that France has been handicapped
thru lack OF money and that a gift out
right, or loan at an extremely low
rate Of interest, or none at all, would
be of enormous benefit to the cause
that the United States now espouses
This, however, is a matter that is
/ bound to result in bitter and Drolone-
I ed debate and it is expected that
when the proposition finally reaches
/ n legislative state il will be divorced
/ from every thing else to avoid diff
/ culties.
/ Now that definite policy of action
/ has been outlined there was in evil
+ dence today much better concenra-
/ ton Of action The state, war and
/ navy department, the three branches
/ NEST vitality concerned, have been
working at top speed for the last two
4 months to meet the emergency that
i now Is here. The navy is, of course,
rushing work everywhere and the
/ fleet today was in the position where
/ the officials believe it can do its best
work in defending the national inter.
! eSts.
/ President Wilson's statement that
/ the first thing to do in connection
with the army is to provide for an
increase over that permit under the
present law CT 100000 men attracted
attention to the steps the military
branch is taking. 1t is expected the
entire national guard of the various
states will be under arms i'm the very
near future. 1t will be used for inter
national purposes at the outset, pos
sibly a part Of it at least going to the
Mexican border to release regular:
united which can be used in whippn:
the volunteer army into service Thu
war department has been very bus,
during the last few weeks maxim.
preparations for the ohicing of thu
new establishment. This is the great
est problem and will be the hardest
to solve. Already the regmenta
commanders of the various units o!
regulars have recommended men from
their commands who will make prop,
err junior officers. They will be com.
missioned as rapidly as they can quail
fy In addition the reserve officers
corps, will be called into the service
as soon as possible.
Allie Newspapers Praise Speech.
London april 3-British and French