The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-04-06


igorously denied by Senator Jones and
'hers, Who contended that the public
liould be told the truth and not fed on
Misleading statements of the Progress
Of our war preparations.
In follow-up speech Thursday SEN
ttor Williams bluntly declared that
Senator La Toilette should be expelled
from the senate, and that Victor Berg
er, Socialist candidate for the senate
from Wisconsin, should be interned.
Mr.. Williams colleagues appeared to
be startled by this, but not one Of
them had the nerve to indorse his sug-
gestions.
AS to airplanes, it was admitted in
the senate that instead Of the 10000
or 10000 planes the aircraft board had
promised to send to France by July l,
only 81 will be shipped, according to
the present schedule. Testifying be-
fore the senate committee, Gen. Leon
ard Wood told of the crying need for
airplanes for the American expedi-
tionary forces now on the other side.
Mr.. Creels publicity committee came
In for sharp reproof for sending out
misleading captions on photographs of
airplane construction.
On Thursday Senator Overman
aroused the senate by making the pos
tive statement that German spies were
employed in the Curtiss airplane plant
at Buffalo, and that their work had de-
layed the making Of planes for months.
These spies, he said, had weakened
| joints In the planes so that they col
lapsed, and he exhibited one of the
parts SO tempered with to prove his
assertion. Mr.. Overman advocated
that the government commander the
Curtiss plant and turn out every one
of Its present employees.
Ia
Following the debate In the senate
the shipping board issued q statement
of its work, showing that since 1t
began its activities 1888 vessels have
been launched, of which 103 have been
completed and put into service. Of
the launchings, 103 were requisitloned
vessels and % were built for the board
on contract In new yards. Eleven of
the launchings were wood. Quantity
| production will win the war; and that
| Is what we are getting" said Chair
man Hurley. Negotiations for the
transfer of 10000 tons of Japanese
shipping to the United States have
been completed, and 1t Is understood
much more will follow.
The government, and Great Britain
and France as WELL continue to empha-
i size the fact that the basis Of victory
for the allied cause Is an adequate sup
/ ply Of shipping, for Americas armies
must be transported to France, food
and munitions for them and for the al.
lies must be taken over, and for these
purposes ships must be provided much
faster than the German U-boats can
/ sink them.
The latest report of the British ad
| miralty shows an increase In the mum
Der of larger vessels sunk by subma
rines.
--@-
AS a spur to American activity ant
enthusiasm, Premier Lloyd-George sem
to Lord Reading, British ambassador
an appeal for urgent haste In Ameri
can troop movements to France. Thi,
Lord Reading read at a banquet II
his honor in New York. "It Is impos
sible," said the premier's cablegram
ito exaggerate the importance Of get
ting American requirements across
the Atlantic In the shortest possible
time"
| In the Communicated regions o
the country the enemy aliens ant
traitors were unable to restrain thei
Joy over the German drive, and In con
sequence there were many arrests.
is to be hoped that at least some O
the seditionists will be severely pun
ished, but in view of the mild treat
ment given most Of them the hope 4
rather faint. Americans the countr,
over are growing decidedly impatien
with the kid-glove method Of handling
the spies and traitors who are caught
The feeling that many Of them shoult
be stood up before wall and shot 4
prevalent, and the action Of impulsiv
patriots In certain sections makes
plain that 1t would be easy to reviv
the Vigilantes Of the old days on tn
Pacific coast and clean up the who'll
unsavory crew. The genuine spy com
mands certain amount Of respect, hi
work being recognized in certai
measure as part of warfare, bu
there can be only contempt for the dis
loyal American citizen, whether he b
pacifist, l. w. W., senator OK plat
civilian.