The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-03-26
SEN. LODGE
DENOUNCES
DELAYS IN
WAR WORK
Senate Debates Subjects Con-
nected with War and Hear
Arguments on Compulsory
Service.
SAYS CRISIS IS CRAVE

WASHINGTON, March 26.-Stirred |
by the menace of the great German
offensive, the senate spent todays de
bate almost entirely on subjects con-
nected with the war and heard Senator
Lodge of Massachusetts deliver de-
nunciation of the delays which have
prevented greater force from the
Pnited States being placed beside
those of the allies in the critical hour.
An impassioned plea for speeding up
productions especially of coal was
made by Senator Thomas of Colorado.
THE situation at this time" said he,
"is graver perhaps than at any time
in our history We need ever re-
source--to tell them we are coming
five million strong with our treasure.
our coal, our ships and our food
Advocates Military Service.
Compulsory military training was ad-
vocated by Senator Lodge of Massa-
chusetts, who urged adoption of the
amendment to the draft law introduced
by Senator New Of Indiana providing
for the training of boys between the
ages of IS and q years.
Senator Lodge characterized the sit
uation now confronting this country as
E, people be told the truth.
Discuss Woods Report.
Recommendations that Americas
fighting forces be increased to four or
| five million and that half of them be
concentrated in France as soon as pos
sible. were before the senate military
committee today in the form of con-
| fidential statement, submitted by
! faio
! Fresh from a visit to the western
battle front, the general appeard be-
fore the committee yesterday and for
three hours frankly discussed the sit
uation in Europe and at home.
Believes Offensive Futile.
The general declared. his auditors
said, that allied military opinion was
unanimous that the German offensive
would fail despite the fact that the
Germans on the western front are
numerically superior to the allies. both
on the ground and in the air. The al
lied armies, he said, are in a better
position than their adversaries
! The committeeman admitted that
General Wood said the French are dis
appointed in the size of the American
army thus far sent to Europe. Senate.
VI oIcSOH, CHdlI IldH vi
the committee said General Wood fav
ored the maintenance of a force OF
100000 in France at the earliest pos
, sible moment and similar force in
training in the United States. Another
committee member asserted the for
mer chief of staff, advocated an army
of four million. half of which should
be put in France as soon as possible.
New Hits Program.
Senator New. speaking in the sen
ate today declared that instead of -.
, 600 combat airplanes being delivered
in France by July l. as provided in the
{ original airplane program, the nun
Der will amount to only 81.
81 agree that this is not the time t.
: discourage the American people, sale
/ Senator New, discussing the airplant
: situation, but this is no time to mis-
lead the American people in view o
the great task that is ahead of u.s."
Senator New called attention to
statement accredited to Secretar,
Baker or Feb. p. quoting him as say
ing the first American airplanes wer
being sent 70 Europe five mont h.
ahead OF schedule, and praising tn
progress being made on the Libert,
Motor.
Il submit that statement is who'll
misleading and perilously So" sal,
he. THE people are entitled to know
! the truth. If we can't tell them th
, truth let's don't feed them on state
l this war;