The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-25

THE BIRMINGHAM AC n responsibility for the speech as reported by newspapers, and had read to the Senate verbatim report published in the New York Times.
 TELLS OF LETTER
 Upon his return to Washington Senator Chamberlain said he received a letter from President Wilson containing a ques- ton taken from the New York World and asking if the quotation was correct The President wrote that he did not like to comment on the statements until he knew positively that the senator had ac- tually spoken them.
 The letter was received too late for a reply Sunday, Senator Chamberlain con- tirued, but in letter sent to the White House the following day, he replied that he had been quoted substantially cor rectly in the World but asked the Pres ident to read the entire speech as printed in the Times, instead of only a part of it.
 Senator Chamberlains letter added that he was discussing only the policy Cor lacl; of policy" of the military establish ment.
 military affairs committee and testimony in the committees investigations, the senator's letter continued:
 KNOWS OF DEFICIENCIES
 T believe l know something about the deficiencies in the military esta blishment deficiencies which are clearly recognized and proven : in system that ought to be remodeled for the proper prosecution of the war and have these disjointed and unco- ordinated de- fleets weeded out.
 In his letter, the senator also offered to go over the whole situation with the President but said he received no reply and on the following day the Presidents s statement, criticizing him, was pub lished.
 The Presidents statement and Sena- tor Chamberlain's reply then were read to the Senate. and the Oregon senator said:
 T do not know if any reply to my let ter was necessary. I assume that that statement is the answer"
 The statement of the Presidents s challenges me, of course for proof of the statement in the New York Times to which statement I adhere and repeat before this body he observed
 The people of this country may not see this as l do, but as chairman of the military committee; an American citi- zen, and as a member of this dis ditinguished body I felt that I should say the things that are in me and if I succeeded in making a rift in the clouds through which the American people may see. 1 will feel that my efforts have not been in vain.
 FEELS DUTY TO TELL
 Now that my truthfulness has been questioned" Senator Chamberlain con- tinued, "I feel it my duty to tell the country something I might not have told lit under ordinary circumstances. I do 1t as man who loves his country best of all and who would willingly give his life for it. I do it fearlessly as an American citizen who desires to help and not to hinder'
 He repeated that he had not distorted the truth in his speech made in New York, but owing to the great rush of business, due to the war, the President has probably not been able to ascer- tain the truth and does not know the truth From the lips of those closest to the President. the chief executive can not learn the truth; not because his ad- visers desire to misead him, but be- cause they situated in the same po- sition as he is.
 CHARGES AGAINST BAKER The Secretary of War, in a general statement to the country, which was carefully and ably prepared, tells us that 5, 2o0ooo,Ooo have been appropriated for
 
 tracts for s1,677,000, 1000 have been award ed," he continued This is true but the secretary failed to tell the country that America failed to stand prepared" |" France bled white" he continued, 'is furnishing America and the troops going E guns and airplanes. If we relied on the ordnance department in. this emergency (and this is, war of artillery the war would be completed before we ever got enough to the front. France agreed to deliver this artillery. To win America over did she furnish it for her sacrifice? :? Did she furnish it in order to invite America?"
 It was improper, he said, to give de- tails of American purchases of ordnance from the allies but referred senatos to the confidential testimpny before the committee by Major General Crozier, chief of ordnance.
 If the administration had wanted to be fair to the American people, he shouted, why didn't the distinguished Secretary of War. and I have the high est regard for him, let the people know so that the people could assist in getting ready for this terrible calamity that con- fronts not only America, but the whole wcrld?' &.s ORDNANCE BUREAU FAILED Senator Chamberlain charged that the ordnance bureau Ialled ln lSlo to prepare [ for war when it seemed certain. There were omens in the sky" he continued, that America could not keep out. What was the ordnance department doing? Nothing. It was lying supinely on its back not making gauges for man. ufacturing ordnance. nor discoverig the possibilities of manufacturing, but doing / nothing, absolutely nothing" Appropriations for jigs and dies tc make ordnance. he said, had not been | used.
 T am not blaming anybody in partic- ular." the senator continued. T have high regard for General Crozier. But We haven't been able to do what England France and all our other allies have done. and that is to retire these gentle men who have not proven themselves ur to the mark. We ought not to dismiss them in disgrace. but in other countrie: they have gone into innocous deseutude This isn't question of personalities This is a question between the President and myself. It's question of America and every man ought to make 1t hi