New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1918-03-29

BAKERS ~CAMOUFLAGE

Without shadow of reason or just
ification is the deceptive statement
issued by the War Department
Secretary Of Peace Newton D. Baker
prrsiding-with reference to the air
pl7ne situation. This statement wa:
TO the effect that the outlook wa'
highly encouraging, that airplane'
were being sent to Europe five
months ahead Of schedule.
There was a discussion of the grave
matter in the Senate on Tuesday
II was suggested that Major Cen
eral Leonard Wood be allowed to
testify before the Senate Military
Committee, in an open hearing, 90
that the whole country might have
definite information as to America 9
real preparedness. Senator Kirby, OF
Arkansas. a member of tho commit
tee, exclaimed: by God I'm against
any open session that is going to
criticisc the War Department" This
IS the Same Kirby Who WAS one of
the Presidents "wilful Twelve" who
voted against the declaration OF war
and against the adjective draft.
Senator Johnson, of California,
asked Senator New, Of Indiana, if
he could inform him, without viola
ton Of confidence. what the airplan"
program was. Senator New replied
that he had not intended 10 mention
It, but that he held II would not be
improper to say that the original
plan called fer the delivery in France
o. 1900 American combat airplanes
by July /. Further questioning by
Senator johnson ELECTED the state
mont that nv tie designated time,
81 planes viii be delivered. Not on
~ not five months ahead of schedul-
cd but not IN to schedule in the
contract o. program for II 900 planes,
we are a tr:fla Of 1868 planes be-
hind!
Senator New admitted THAI the
testimony before the committee
showed the German planes had been
passing over the American lines
without hindrance or Interference,
and actually flying so low that our
boys in the trenches are shooting
at them with revolvers.
Senator Thomas, Of Colorado, took
a stand that was patriotic rather
than partisan. when he snid: II
would rather see my party perish
than fail to tell the people the
truth"
Senator Fall. of New Mexico, has
stood behind the President on every
looking to the comforting of
power that may be necessary to en-
able America to do its full share in
winning the war. Taking part in
the discussion Tuesday, he said:
AS 7 understand it, the Senator
from North Carolina (Ovcrman)
is now in charge of the bill, pro-
viding that absolute power be
vested in the President and that
he is going to insist upon the
passage of that bill. I am one
of those who have advocated. or
at least who have voted. for
practically every particle of leg
islation OF that character. | am
not all sure that | shall now
support as strongly as | can the
bill, the passage OF which the
Senator will urge. but as an
American | am exactly in the
frame of mind which was so
cloquently and so forcibly ex-
pressed by the Senator from
Colorado Chomas)-one who
would see his party sink to the
uttermost depths of he'll rather
than that the people should SUI
fer from failure 10 act and want
of knowledge; one of those
who would rather vote absolutely
Outocratic powers in the Presi-
dent, but | do want to know
what the President is doing with
the powers which have already
been given.
As one of those who recognize
that failures have been made, |
think that the time has comc-J
do not think the President him
sci! can be reached in any way
except by the knowledge hat the
people Of the United States are
finally Getting information which
apparently he has not yet as
simulated.