The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-01-24
BAKER STORM CENTRE
Attempt to Smother Dras.
tic Bills Is Expected in
Naval Committee.
ALARM AT WHITE HOUSE
Executives Friends Not San.
guine and Some Big Men
Threaten to Resign.

Special Desseseh TO Tn SOY.
WAsHISGroN. Jan. 22.-with Presi.
dent Wilson failing as yet to disclose
~hat his next move Is to be N the situa-
ton which has developed regarding the
no measures which would bring about
such a drastic change in the manage
m.nt Of the war. tensest interest Gen.
'rd to-day in the resumption on the
eoor Of the Senate Tomorrow Of the con.
'cs. between Administration forces and
critics Of It's war policy. headed BY Sem.
30: Chamberlain (Ore.).
Senator Chamberlain. who had long
al. yesterday afternoon with Col. Roose-
yal,, is prepared to discharge the ,frst
sa,vo in the form Of a speech in reply
10 TIC Presidents attack upon him. For
This purpose he wilt rise to q question Of
perrona' privilege.
There were many rumors to-day that
ne President was about to mako another
mo.e and that this would take the form
0. either visit to the Capitol or an
other statemej :. These rumors were
oased chiefly OIL the evidence rapidly
coming to hand that Senator Chamber
ain has found defenders in unexpected
quarters usually solidly behind the
ADMINISTRATION.
This evidence would seem to point to
ths fact that populaf feeling b not wholly
with the President. Il II causing alarm
20 some Of the President's wArmest
friends in Congress. Whose eyes arc
turned expectantly toward the White
House. II was believed that the Preei-
lent would In the next few days ma
some occasion to reply more fully to his
rites. =
Conterenee IT white House.
Tho hressdent saw senst5ta f6merene
md Owen .at the White HOUSE during the
.ay and this evening WAS closeted with
Secretary Baker. No, hint OF hts plans
vas given. however.
When Senator Chamberlain has said
lis say Tomorrow and called to the
sttention Of the Senate the evidence
disclosed before the Military Committee
and upon which he bases his frank
charges OF incompetency In high places
;he senate will engage In the drst test
Of strength between the Administration
men pure and simple and the win the
va. now" group OF Statesmen who have
.iigncd themselves behind the chairman
Of the Military Committee.
II is conceded that the win the wal
row" group will succeed In the hrs'
tnterchanse. They win move the ref
-enre Of the Chamberlain bill to create
war cabinet to the Committee on
Military AfYairs. This motion viii b
permitted to prevail and then Senator
i'hamberlain. on behalf OF hts commit
'ec. will at once report the bill favor
ably. '.
This report 10 in the form OF q
legislative Action. as no conference o.
tie committee will bs necessary IN thu
iremises. and at once Acting Chairman
swanson Of the Committee on Nava
Mfairs, acting for the Administrator
following. will move its re.r4ereno'
10 his committee In order that tina
Body may pass on the features OF tn
measure In which the navy a. apar
from the army has an Interest.
First Real Test 81 Streagth.
On this will come the real test o
strength. The Naval Committee. 1t
believed, would smother the bill
piseonhole II once It was reiegated u
,hsr care. II would require bran'
rev floor fisht to force It out OF tn
Naval Committee. for the committe
contains few u any Democrats VIII
are critics Of the Administration.
Senator Chamberlain's attitude Of yes
,erday was unchanged to-day. He !
determined to 20 through With his pro
sramme Of lighting for the passage
tne two compittee measures. He !
making no efforts TO enlist support 10
either of the bills, feeling that to d.
% would put him In the position
playing politics against the President
and It is Senator Chamberiain's presen
disposition to leave the political gam
10 his adversar!es and to hght his nigh
ON the merits Of tho question At issue
To-day Senator Chamberlafn's OF
fce was flooded with letters and tele
grams Of congratulation on his stan
from nll parts Of the United State'
The messages were not confined I
praise from the heads Of big. business
but from every sort or person IN ever
walk OF life. Other members OF tn
Committee on Military AffaiA wer
counselled to stand by Chamberlain
IN all sorts Of communications fror
their constituents. .ttt
Prestdewt's Attitude 0utliseW.
The attitude of tho President Oh vot
the war cabinet bill and the bill TO cre
ate the ofiice Of director Of munitiou
vas outlined TO the group Of Demo
cratic Senator's headed by Masortt
leader Martin (vs.). whe were sum
% inoned TO the. White House Monday eve
ming The Presldents sole purpose !
calling them to his side at this Junctur
vas to insure immediate ooalsscence q
tie forces OF the Administration In tn
Senate In opposition 10 both bills.
To the Senators tho Pfesident ou'
lined his Views ~ foliowsi
He told than that his opposition
The creation OF q war ceblnAt WAS pred
Gated upon his own theory that such .
otgsnisation would bs moro . htn6rane
man help. The President 1sais1 ths
ne was In need OF aAy nsoro e1pal
counsel than that with whjoh he y I
Present surrounded In ~ esrssu sf h
own Cabinet.
Mr. Wilson assured the Senators chi
rs felt that his constitutiea4i greregs