The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-02-15
WEEKSPE]EVBD
0YE|RW|I]LS0N'S !.
CRITICISMS
Charges President With Having
Injected Politics Into War
Discussion "
RAISES PARTISAN ISSUES
Declares Secretary Baker Has At.
tempted to Do Too Many
Things Himself
RAISES PARTISAN ISSUES

Washington, Feb. l5.-President
Wilson was charged with deliberately
injecting politics into the controversy
over the war efficiency by Senator
Weeks, republican member Of the
military committee, in a speech. to:
day vigorously criticising the war de.
partment and other branches of the
government. Sd ~ s-a
Supporting the military committees
war cabinet and munitions director
bills, as constructive, nOnpartisan
effort to aid and not embarrass, in
nnifying the nations war force, Sen
ator Weeks detailed delays and diff
culties of the governments military
preparations. He declared that lack
Of central body to make and direct
all of the governments war plans is
largely responsible for present and
past troubles. ~.r :. a..
In his charge against President VIII
son, the senator said:
"Not question indicating partisan.
ship was raised until the president de-
liberately injected politics into the
situation by an attack upon the chair
man of the committee (Senator Cham.
berlain, Of Oregon, democrat). and the
committee, itself, by calling to the
white house many democratic party
leaders, not for consultation purposes
hut TO insist that a discussion, of this
question on the floor OF the senate be
prevented if possible: Have we come
to- such a; path that the action of the
most important committee in congress
at this time is to be forbidden by
the PRESIDENT A't'
Referring to, Secretary Baker, Sen
ator Weeks said, after praising many
army achievements
Neither do ! wish. tQ. unjustly. or
unreservedly crtticise the head Of the
war department. He has had to
deal with a multitude foi questions.
the disposal of many ofwhich met my
approval. %s
Criticism Of Baker.
II! were to criticise the secretary
personally, it would be that he has nm
dertaken to do too many things him
self, some Of which might have been
left to subordinates. II l were to
make a further criticism 1t would re-
late; to his temperamental relation
ship to the war. Doubtless, he, him.
self would admit that he is pacifist
by nature. For example, even now,
he Is opposed to universal military
training, and ! cannot divorce myself
from the conclusion, based on his own
Testimony, that he has been inclined
TO plan for prosecution OF the war
and this condition has to some degree
nermeated the department-on the
basis that we are three thousand
miles away from the front, instead OF
Fastening preparation with all the
vtgor we could exercise IL our borders
we're the battle front" r.~s "
Zone of the notable features Of the
present situation" Senator Weeks
contended, "is the virulence used in
attacking those who favored the com.
mittee's plan of centralization. They
are referred to as plotters, mischiev'
GUS meddlers and even as servitors OF
the enemy. Every means of false sug
gestion has been used TO discredit
a sincere and loyal attempt to make
change which will materially in
crease the efficiency of our war ad
ministration."