New-York tribune., 1918-03-29
Internment of Berger Also
Urged by John Sharp
Williams
Wisconsin Senator
Defended by Gronna
One of "Wilful IL" Says
Majority Is More Interest
ed in Politics Than War

WASHINGTON. March 2S.-After
rovd George, President Wilson is the
~reatest man in the world, Senator
John Sharp Williams declared to-day IN
political debate in the Senate on the
Wisconsin situation.
Mr. Williams also declared that Vic
+or Berger, the Socialist candidate for
senator in Wisconsin, should be at
least ynterned.
81 started to say something stronger.
said Mr.. Williams. "but he ought to be
interned. at least
Senator La Toilette, Mr.. Williams
declared. should be at once expelled
from the Senate Incidentally, the Sem
ate committee which has that matter
before it continually adjourns its
meetings. and TO enc seriously expects
any action.
Gronna Defends La Toilette
Stung by the repeated references TO
disloyalty Senator Gronna, of North
Dakota, made heated reply following
garded as La Follette's chief lieuten-
ant in the Senate, was one of the will
fu twelve" and voted with La Toilette
on almost every roll call connected with
measures on which German propaganda
had played part before the United
States entered the war. or connected
with the prosecution of the war since.
You are more interested in the cleo
ton of Senator of your party in Wis
corsin than in the fight our brave boys
are making in France the North Da-
kotan screamed in tones that resounded
through the entire Senate wing Of the
CanitoI and brought the reporters
rushing cut in the gallery 20 see what
was happening.
II am tired of this talk of disloyaty,"
Gronna continued when the vote to
go TO war was taken some OF Us were
not ready. but since that vote was taken
we have all been for the war and for
everything which might be asked to aid
it. | have boy eighteen Gears old in
the army. He did rot have to ask my
consent twice. And I have not written
any letters asking for mission for
that boy, or that he should receive any
favors. | want him to take his chance
with his fellows.
II don't know any campaign or any
war that was won by lip service When
| hear the Senator from Mississippi
challenge the LOYALTY OF one of the can
didates for the Senatorship in Wiscon-
sin | want to tell him that Mr.. Thomp-
son, defeated III the primary, | know
very well, and so far as ne is concerned
ne is just as loyal as the Senator from
Mississippi
Senator Smoot, of Utah. Republican,
who attacked President Wilson yester-
day for alleged partisanship, read a
letter stating that Joseph t. Davies
Democratic candidate in Wisconsin, had
skipped to Chicago when a confer
enee was called to consider the with
drawal of Mr.. Lenroot as a candidate
Tor the Senatorship to insure a loyalty
victory.
Senator Ashurst. of Arizona, Demo-
crat, said yesterdays debate was mis-
cradle twaddle," and, in a plea for har-
mony and unity IN the war, Senator
Reed contrasted the critical battle in
France with t,e Senate's attention to
the miserable, little political contest
IN Wisconsin,
81 appeal to the Senate said Sen
ator Reed, ITO have done with these
miserable politics. No line can be
W q WI oct"ecI 10y al DeHloCrdtS ana
Republicans. Let the election in Wis
consin go on. In any event loyal
man will be returned"
Senator Owen. Of Oklahoma, Demo
crat, deploring the political discussion,
said that most German-Americans are
now patriotically supporting their gov
crnment.
at will not strengthen the United
states to wound the feelings of these
people," he said. 81 depreca.e aay
speech that will cause them to feel
they are objects of suspicion, aversion
or positive hostility. They deserve all
The more honor because OF their fidelity
20 the United States. / deprecate ex-
ceedingly that there should be any ap-
pearance Of political debate on this
floor"