The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-01-25

by an ordinary citizen. not by an one Of
my colleagues. but by a very distin-
suiShrd gentleman who has the love
and admiration of the people and who
by thsir outrage occupies the hIgncSt
! place IN the gift IT the people and say
! the. highest place of any man In the
world.
1t IS. therefore. with much feeling
| that l rise to address myself 10 the at
tack made upon me and do so without
! my feeling of unkirdness."
J Senator Chamberlain after having
read to the senate 4 verbatim copy OF
the speech for which the president de-
nounced him declared that ne adhered
70 what he had said
invoices The Nation.
These personal charges against me
. amounts to nothing to the American
people but affect policies which may in
volve tho future Of this country. If not
the entire world
Senator amberlain said he had been
invited TO speak before the National Sc
curity League. accepted on short notice
and without time to prepare an address.
He recalled that on the daiS with him
were Allen T. Parker. Theodore RooSe-
Welt and Julius Kahn. and that the audi
-
patriotism cannot be excelled by any
like body in the United States. lie then
reiterated that he assumed responsible
ty for the speech as reported by news
papers, and had read to the Senate a
verbatim report published in the New
York Times.
Upon his return to Washington. Sena-
tor Chamberlain said he received a let
ter from President Wilson containing a
quotation taken from the New York
World. and asking If the quotation was
correct. The President wrote that ne
did not like to comment on the state
mentS until he knew positively that the
Senator had actually made them.
Quoted Correctly.
The letter WAS received too late for a
reply Sunday. Senator Chamberlain con-
tiuued. but in = letter sent TO the White
House the following day he replied that
he had been quoted substantially cor
rscsly in the World. but asked the Pres
itleuc 10 read the entire speech as print
cd in the Times instead OF only part
Of Ii.
Senator Chambcrlaln's letter added
thar he was discussing only the policy.
or lack Of policy" OF the military eS-
tabliShmrn,. After stating his expert
ence in the military affairs committee
and testimony in the committees invcS-
LEGATIONS. the Senator's letter continued:
IL believe l know something about the
deficiencies in the military establish
meut. deficiencies which arc clearly rec
oguized and proven in sys-
tenn that ought to be remodeled for the
proper prosecution OF the war
ans! have these dI$jointcd and unco-or-
dinated defeats wccdcd out
ole ~
/" go. over the whole situation with the
President, but said he received no reply
and OF the following day the Presidents
statement criticisng him was pub
liShed.
The Presidents statement and Senator
Chambcrlain's reply then were read to
the Senate, and the Oregon Senator OBJ
served:
Il do not know any reply to my let
ter was necessary. I. assume that state
ment is the answer"
Sticks BY HIS Guns.
The statement of the President chai-
lenses me of course, for proof In the
statement in the New York Times to
which statement I adhere and repeat be-
fore this body.
The people Of this country may not
Sc this as I do. but chairman Of the
military committee, ana aS ill AHcIlCdI
citizen and as a member Of this distn-
gushd body 1 felt that should say the
things that are in me and If succeed
In making a rift in tn clouds through
which the American people see. Will
feel that my efforts have not been in
vain"
Now that my truthfulncss has been
Questioned" Senator Chamberlain con-
ttuued. IT feel 1t my duty to toll tho
country something might not have told
it under ordinary circumstances. do 1t
as man who loves his country pest
Of all and who would willingly give his
life for 1t. I do 1t fearlcssly. as an
American citizen who desire to help
and not to hinder"
He repeated he had not distorted tho
truth in his speech made IN New York.
but that owing to the great rush OF
business as due to the war. the President
has probably not been able TO ascertain
the truth and does not know the truth