Mexico Missouri message., 1918-04-18

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vigorously denied by Senator Jones and
others, who contended that the public
should be told the truth and not fed on
misleading statements of the Progress
of our war preparations.
In follow-up speech Thursday Sem
ator Williams bluntly declared that
Senator La Toilette should be expelled
from the senate, and that Victor Berg
er, Socialist candidate for the senate
from Wisconsin, should be informed.
Mr.. Williams colleagues appeared to
be startled by this, but not one Of
them had the nerve to indorse his sug-
gestions.
AS to airplanes, it was admitted in
the senate that instead of the 10000
or 10000 planes the aircraft board had
promised to send to France by July 1,
only 81 will be shipped, according to
the present schedule. Testifying be-
fore the senate committee, Gen. Leon
ard Wood told of the crying need for
airplanes for the American expedi-
tlonary forces now on the other side.
Mr.. Creers publicity committee came
In for sharp reproof for sending out
misleading captions on photographs of
airplane construction.
On Thursday Senator Overman
aroused the senate by making the pos
tive statement that German spies were
| employed in the Curtiss airplane plant
at Buffalo, and that their work had de-
| layed the making of planes for months.
These spies, he said, had weakened
| joints in the planes so that they COL
iapsed, and he exhibited one of the
| parts so tempered with to prove his
assertion. Mr.. Overman advocated
that the government commander the
Curtiss plant and turn out every one
Of its present employees.
IN
Following the debate in the senate
the shipping board issued a statement
Of its work, showing that since It
began its activities 1873 vessels have
been launched, Of which 1903 have been
completed and put into service. OF
the launchings, 103 were requisitioned
vessels and % were built for the board
on contract in new yards. Eleven Of
the launchings were wood. Quantity
production will win the war; and that
is what we are getting" said Chair
man Hurley. Negotiations for the
transfer Of 10000 tons of Japanese
shipping to the United States have
been completed, and it is understood
much more will follow.
The government, and Great Britain
and France as well, continue to empha-
size the fact that the basis of victory
for the allied cause is an adequate sup
ply of shipping, for Americas armies
must be transported to France, food
and munitions for them and for the al
lies must be taken over, and for these
purposes ships must be provided much
faster than the German U-boats can
sink them.
The latest report of the British ad-
miralty shows an increase in the num-
Der of larger vessels sunk by subma-
rines.
- -
As a spur to American activity and
enthusiasm, Premier Lloyd-George sent
to Lord Reading, British ambassador,
an appeal for urgent haste in Ameri-
can troop movements to France. This
Lord Reading read at a banquet in
his honor in New York. at is impos-
sible," said the premler's cablegram,
''to exaggerate the Importance of get
ting American re-enforcements across
the Atlantic. in the shortest possible
time"
ID
In the German-infested regions OF
the country the enemy aliens and
traitors were unable to restrain their
Joy over the German drive, and in con-
sequence there were many arrests. It
is to be hoped that at least some Of
the seditionists will be severely pun
ished, but in view Of the mild treat
| ment given most of them the hope is
/ rather faint. Americans the country
: over are growing decidedly impatient
! with the kid-glove method Of handling
D the spies and traitors who are caught.
: The feeling that many of them should
E be stood up before wall and shot is
' prevalent, and the action of impulsive
/, patriots in certain sections makes II
plain that 1t would be easy to revive
Q tile Vigilantes Of the old days on the
e Pacific coast and clean up the whole
: unsavory crew. The genuine Spy com
' mands certain amount of respect his
t work being recognized in a certain
: measure as part Of warfare, but
: there can be only contempt for the dis
loyal American citizen, whether he be
S pacifist, l. w. W., senator or plain
S civilian,