Evening journal., 1918-08-28

10 detain them hero for short while
II he wants TO-"
A colloquy over tho intentions OF bht
War Department with regard 10 the
calling OF the youngest GLASS OF con-
scrlpted men TO the colors followed. II
was begun by Senator overman tN. c.
and ended by Senator Chamberlain IN q
ringing denunciation Of the deception
OF the American public. whether pur-
posed or accidental.
Senator 0yerman had declared that ne
was opposed 10 compelling boys or a
years to be taken to France 10 fight
unless II was absolutely necessary.
II believe from the figures reported
by the War Department we Will be able
10 get 100000 men without calling
these boys" said Senator overman.
Senator 0yerman said he had prepared
an amendment 10 place men OF i8 years
Ia deferred classification, which he IN
tended 20 ofier. Before he finished his
speech, however, he changed his mind
and withheld the amendment.
0verman Relies on Bakers Word.
~ went 30 the Secretary OF War 10
discuss with him my amendment" said
Senator 0verman. He assured me that
he did not intend 10 call. the boys OF Is
years OF age until an emergency should
arise. / asked him II could make that
statement on the floor OF the Senate,
He said, yes
"Therefore( relying upon his state
ment ! am going 10 vote for this bill
I am rot orofnU 40 oefar Ah q ar, audr,opt
trusting and believing that these boys
will be trained as they ought 10 be
trained. trained without discrimination.
As | said. the Secretary OF War assures
me that he is not going TO take them
except II the emergency arises and we
need them TO win this war, and with
that statement, desiring 10 carry out
the program OF the War Department, l
shall vote for the bill without amend
ment."
II have no doubt about the state
ment Of the Senator from North Caro-
lima" said Senator Chamberlain. 81
have no doubt but that he received in
formation from the Secretary OF Wa.
but / want TO say 10 the Senator that
! am not going TO be a party TO the
deception OF the American people in
any way, shape or form. II this bill
passes as Il is we might as we'll under
stand now that these young men viii
be needed In France before this year
Is over, and possibly by next June"
Senator Hitchcock asserted his con-
ylction that the time had arrived when
the whole vast man power OF the ma
tlon must be called 10 arms. Stating
that sixteen months ago II had been his
own amendment. which had changed
the lower draft limit age from 10 20
2i, he reviewed the changes in the
world war situation, which. In his
Judgment, now bade the broadest con.
scrlption OF the fighting strength OF the
nation mandatory.
Russia's Fiasco Causes Crisis.
Sixteen months ago I moved 20
amend the draft bill then before the
Senate so as TO raise the age limit TO
2i years." said Senator Hitchcock. "The
Senate committee, against my protest.
had made the lowest draft limit 80
years. My amendment was adopted by
the Senate, and I believe It was ap-
proved by the country. II the SAINT
state OF affairs confronted us again I
should again favor 2i years as the low
est draft age.
"But the collapse OF Russia has
changed the whole scheme OF world
affairs. Two million and more Of fight
Ing men OF the Austrian and German
armies have been released from east
front service 20 increase the gigantic
enemy war machine on the French,
Flemish and italian battle lines
obviously we can no longer pick
and choose soldiers on sentimental
lines. Stern necessity now corfronts
the country. Every male who can be
spared must now be put on the avsila-
BILE list II he is mentally, physically
and morally NJ.
And so 20 increase our army TO 1--WE
million men we ind It just as neces-
sary now TO require all between IS and
IS TO register as we found 10 sufficient
asst year 10 register those between 2i
md 81 TO get an army then deemed suf-
lciently large"
Fight Over Anti-Strike Clause.
There was a bitter struggle over the
provision. which resulted
lnally in the adoption Of the Reed
Thomas amendment, which forblds men
,ngaged in essential industry to quit
iRder penalty of being inducted imme-
llately. into the military service. The
est was made when Senator McKellar
TENN, moved 10 strike the amend