Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-08
Enough Is Enough

MO reasonable person desires to see the
l Y constitutional powers or legitimate func-
tions OF either branch OF the Congress of the
United States trenchcI upon overriden
by the executive arm OF the government 1t
is very far from the mind Of the President TO
exercise or to attempt to exercise other
powers than those delegated to him by tho
Constitution and by the war emergency acts
OF Congress. He is the chosen leader of the
American people and, under the fundamental
law Of the land, the commandcr-n-chicf of
tho armed forces of the nation. He is re-
sponsble us is no other man for the safety
of the country and for the conduct of the war.
He has, in pursuance OF his constitutional
duties and powers, designated certain men
to carry out the war policies of the country.
among them the Secretary of War, Newton ID.
Baker 1t is to be believed that MIR. Baker
has been in very close touch with the Prcsi-
dent in important steps taken by the War
Department, among them the all-important
matter Of the transportation OF troops TO
Europe and their proper equipment for
fighting.
The American public has been willing to
trust Woodrow Wilson. The American pub
lie has not desired that military secrets be
made public: The American public has not
demanded that the war-making department
of the government should be embarrassed by
public examination and cross-eXamination of
the Secretary of War as to the military pro-
gram and the transportation Of troops.
But the Senate Military Affairs Committee
seems TO be determined on placing in the
hands of every German agent the fullest pos
sibc information as to both the present and
future participation OF America in the war.
Not only has this committee caused the SOW
ing broadcast Of military information. but
some OF its members have sought diligently
to dscrcdit the statements made by Secretary
Baker, and thereby to undermine the publc'S
faith in the American government. AS an
illustration. the committee recently secured
from the secretary the statement that the
prospects for transporting 100000 troops
to France in 1918 were not unpromising.
Immediately certain members Of the COM
mittec set about showing just how utterly
impossible was such Il forecast. Hence on
Wednesday there followed an amplification OF
the statement. in response TO questions asked
by members OF the committee. showing why
tho prospect is not unpromising."
1t would seem that this investigation" has
exceeded every reasonable limitation. The
American people look to the President and
the War Department for military results
not TO Senator Chamberlain and the Senate
Military Affairs Committee There is no rca-
son why tho Kaiser should be advised from
time to time how many troops arc being sent
TO France and how fast it is expected TO send
more or by what instrumentalities it is hoped
to solve military problems. Had All enter
prisins newspaper man in Washington three
months ago procured and published the in
formation as to military movements and
transportation such as the Senate Military
Affairs Committee has been responsible for
divulging. he would have been very promptly
and properly "squclchcd' by the government.
Enough is enough. 1t is time that this So
called Investigation was ended