The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-06-06

ENCOURAGEMENT
Senator Lewis Charges 'Parti-
y san Attacks on Administra-
iton Invited U-BoatS."
DEBATE GROWS BITTER
Lodge Believes U-Boats Re-
ceived Supplies Struggled
From Coast of the
United States.
DEBATE GROWS BITTER
international News Service.1

n Washington June 6.-The senate
plunged into the most violent and bit
ter debate in months this afternoon
when Senator J. Hamilton Lewis, OF
Illinois, the democratic whip, charged
that the German submarines were IN
yited" to tho American shores by par
tisan attacks made against the admin
istration. His speech was prompted
by an editorial read into the record at
the request of Senator Brandagee, OF
Connecticut, calling upon the navy de-
partment for an explanation of its tar
diness in sending out danger signals to
shipping after the presence of enemy
submarines had been reported.
Supplies Struggled.
Senator Lodge. of Massachusetts,
member of the naval affairs committee.
y indicated that it is the belief of the
navy department that If submarines
have received supplies on this side of
y the Atlantic they have received them
from vessels smuggling them from the
/ United States.
"The activities of the German sub
marines on this side of the Atlantic
were brought about by certain men,
bers of the United States senate" said
Senator Lewis.
Not until Germany was advised in
ernment was honeycombed with fraud
and breaking down with ineffcienCy.
that we had no army or navy and
that we were helpless to defend our
selves. did she send submarines to
America.
"These charges were without foun-
dation. They induced the Germans to
believe that we were unprepared. They
were made by persons who sought to
benefit politically. Germany was
licensed to believe that we had no in
strumentalities with which to defend
ourselves and that she was free to
send submarines here to do what they
pleased.
THAT Germany will find us ready
cannot be gainsaid. But Germany was
invited 10 send her submarines to our
ports by the unjust assaults of those
who thought to benefit politically"
Does the senator from Illinois think
he can stop the submarines by max
ing an assault upon the republican
party" interrupted Senator Nelson, OF |
Minnesota, angrilY.
II have not mentioned the repuh- !
1ican party" retorted Senator Lewis. |
"Of course, If my statement appeals !
to him as fitting the republican party |
7, of course cannot protect him from |
his own consciousness"
Lodge Pays Tribute.
Senator Lodge paid high tribute TO
the navy. He declared he believed it
had taken every preCaution against the
submarine.
"If I were to attempt to fix the re-
sponsiblitY for the submarines being
here I would say that It was due to
the loose Dragging and boasting about
the number of-troops we are sending
A.
injurious for me to tell where and
what the precautions are. No human
can possibly tell when a submarine
will appear. AS soon as the navy had
authentic news to indicate the pres
ence of submarine on this coast. II
acted They still have the means"
Senator Lodge continued
"The work al the naval front Is sue
needing more than some of us ever
dared to hope We are doing. in NV
Judgment all that can he done. have
been in the navy department and I am
satisfied that they are doing every
hing possible. That the defense will
he effective ! have no question"
Oueried as to how the submarines
were receiving supplies Senator Lodge {
declared that the vessels have a steam
ng radius of 5000 miles and by con-
they might he able to stav
way from their base some time. 1T
6 not likely that they have \ mother
ship. II is possible they have received
III smug-led from this country on ,
some vessel II cannot happen a~ain
t is highly improbable that thcv have
' base on the coast Of the United
states or Canada. There remains. Of
'ourse, the possibility Of a base on /
Mexican territory. 7 should like To
ell the senate whv 7 do not think a
vase there could he freely used. I do
rot think 7 ought 10. 7 will suffice 10 |
'aV. ] believe. that do not think any
such base can he used
when editors ask why. 7 can only
ooint 10 the American navy. II has
,ot failed in Convoving troops. il has
rot failed in the Baltic. the channel. Z c
he Mediterranean. and il won't fail a
lere" !