The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-05-10

German U-boat bases. 3-Stephen
link should be sent home by a declar-
@~-~~-~~>~.~-~~~-~--~~~~~
Belgian roads. The Netherlands gov
eminent refuses to permit Germany to
take these materials through Dutch
territory for military works.
-
The Guatemalan national assembly
has declared that Guatemala occupies
the same position toward the European
belligerents as does the United States,
which In diplomatic circles is consid-
cred declaration OF war on Germany
and her allies.
Ia
The rapidity with which American
troops are being sent across the Allan
tic is heartenlng the allies and dem.
onstrating the intention of our govern
ment to put In the field the greatest
possible force In the shortest possible
time. Many Of the men are going by
way Of England. and the fact that they
are being transported across the Eng
lish channel in safety has aroused the
Germans to such an extent that their
naval authorities have had to apollo
glze for the lnaction of their fleet.
II Is not permitted to tell how many
men the administration proposes to
send to France before the end OF the
year. but 1t is so great that when Di.
rector General Schwab and the ship
ping board were told by General Goe-
thals the amount of shipping he would
require they were staggered. Mr..
Schwab, however, believed the esti-
mate could be fulfilled If certain steps
could be taken to hasten the deliveries
of ships, these steps including the re-
duetion of some of the requirements
OF the navy so that the steel can be
diverted to the uses of the transport
fleet.
In Washington 1t Is understood that
as rapidly as ships can be provided the
soldiers will be sent across. whether
they are fully trained or not. 1t is re-
ported the draft win be accelerated by
calling 100000 men to training next
month, number far in excess of previ-
Gus estimates.
ia
In line with the present policy of
speeding up and making efficient all
war preparations is the appointment
OF John d. Ryan. the copper magnate,
as director of aircraft production for
the army and the reorganization of
the aviation section of the signal corps.
General Squier hereafter will devote
his attention to the administration of
signals, and Brig. Gen. William |. Ken
ly is made director of a new division
OF military aeronautics. Howard COT
fin retires from craftsmanship of the
aircraft board but remains member
OF the advisory commission nf the
council of national defense,
The reports on the airplane situa-
tion made to the president by the
! Marshall committee and by assistant
secretaries of war were not made pub
lie, but II is admitted that they sub
stantiated the report OF the senate
committee that the program had col
lapsed,
-M
Both houses OF congress have passed
the joint resolution TO register for mil
ltary service all males becoming TWEEN
ty-one years old since June 5, 1917.
The lower house adopted an amend
ment putting the newly registered men
at the foot OF their respective classes
and sustained the military committee
! in refusing to exempt those who have
| entered medical or divinity schools
since June 5.
! The Chamberlain bill to turn sedi-
! tionists over to military tribunals for
nfal by court martial met Its fate
when President Wilson declared his
I firm opposition to II and other au-
| thOrities said II was Unconstitutional.
| IL was, OF course. introduced because
OF charges that the department Of jus
/ tice has been lax in combating enemy
| propaganda. but those charges are re-
1 fpted by the department. which re-
! ports Ii has secured at least $500 con-
yictions in the last year, despite the
inadequaey OF federal laws against
sabotage and dlsIoyal utterances. The
number Of acuulttals has been relative
/ " small.
I "a
The senate devoted much time last
week 60 debating the overman bill for
the coordination Of government activ-
tiles and It gained supporters daily,
Senator Chamberlain being amc@g
those who declared he would vote for
/ Il. In opposing the bill Senator Sher.
man of Illinois found opportunity TO
make a bitter attack on various ulsm-
hers OF the cabinet and On George
creel.