The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-04-28

The volunteer sponsors were as- founded at the tremendous strength developed by the administration forces. When the members lined up to pass the tellers it looked almost as if the whole house was about to vote for conscription. Chairman Dent Of the military committee, heading the volunteer fordces, finally gave up counting the votes.
 Miss Rankin, the Montana member, voted for the volunteer amendment, las did Speaker Clark and Chairman publican Leader Mann voted for con- Padgett of the naval committee Re- scription. Democratic Leader Kitchin, busy with revenue legislation, did not vote
 When Representative Saunders of Virginia, presiding, announced the Kahn amendment had been carried, 279 to 98, there was thundefous ap- pdause from the floor and the crowded galleries.
 Debate in the senate was begun to- day by Senator Harding of Ohio in support of the administration bill and in favor of permitting Col Roosevelt to raise four volunteer divisions for service abroad.
 l interfere with our raising at. army of 100000 men, with 10000, 900 more if need be. The presence of the Amer ican volunteers would put new life in every Allied trench and new glow in every Allied camp fire on every battle field in Europe
 Senators Curtis, Republican, of Kan sas, and Smith, Republican, of Mich tgan, also endorsed the Roosevelt plan. Senator Lodge spoke at lenkth in it's favor.
 l can see no reason why men over 9. who earnestly desire to fight for their country in France, if physically f1t, should not be permitted to offer their lives if they want to- he said. 'lt cannot injure the principle of uni- versal compulsory service. The one man who would be able to raise these divisions alone would be Col. Roosevelt. He is known in Eu- rope as is no other American. His presence there would be a help and encouragement to the soldiers of the Allied nations"
 Marshal Joffre, if he could express an opinion, would favor the Roose- welt expedition, Senator Lodge pre- dicted
 Tt is impossible for me to conceive why the administration or congress should refuse to allow Col. Roosevelt and his volunteers the opportunity to give their lives to their country if they SO desire,' said the Massachusetts sen- ator. "Col. Roosevelt does not seek their command unless as a subordin- ate officer. He would have the ex- petition under a regular army officer It is not personal self-seeking. F~~ Heavens sake is there any reason why he should not be given an oppor- tunity, if he desires, to give his life for what he regards as the most sa- cred of all causcs?"
 Senator Stone of Missouri suggest ed that former Gov. Sulzer of New York also desires to raise division. eff any man by his own personal influence or weight in his community can raise division under this amend ment," said Senator Lodge, "I shall be glad to see him do It." i , Senator Williams of Mississippi, said he fayored allowing Col Roose- welt to recruit volunteer expedition but not to command it.
 He is competent to comand regi- ment, but by no means a division" said Senator Williams. 'I would like to see him there, but not as com- mander-in-chief. also would like to see 10000 American regulars there; they would show those European folk something, just like the Canadians did. I have no personal objection to Col Roosevelt's going
 Registering his approval of con- scription, Senator Williams said he fa- vored it for one reason. becau--= ,1 will weed out loyal from disloyal Americans.
 There are 100000 traitors in America, including considerable number of German spies," he said 1T want to weed out that element. If they resist the draft they will be in- termed. This conscription will sep arate the loyal and disloyal Ameri- cans"
 Also Senator Williams said he ap- proved conscription in the hope that with defeat of Germany 1t will be pos sible to end universal military con- scription forever throughout the world,