Evening star., 1918-06-06
SENATORS BLAMED
FOR U-BOATS' VISIT
Inaccurate Statements About
Preparedness Brought Raid
ers, Mr.. Lewis Charges.

Charges that Certain members Of
the United States Senate" by making
inaccurate statements regarding eondi-
tions in this country brought about
the present attack on shipping along
the American coasts by German sub
marines, were made today in the Sen
ate by Senator Lewis Of Illinois. These
statements, he declared, resulted IN
Germany reaching "false conclusions"
regarding our strength and our deter
mination to defend our own country.
Tho debate resulted from the read
ing by Senator Brandegee OF Connec-
ticut Of an editorial from Philadel-
phta newspaper criticising the Navy
Department for not issuing sooner
warnings advising mariners of the
presence of enemy submarines along
our coasts and asking where were the
fleets of American submarine Destroy
ers and other craft which the Navy
Department has been preparing to re-
pei U-boat raids. at the time these
ships were being sunk.
Warns Against Misleading Public.
Senator Lewis said he was not apol-
ogizing for or defending the Navy De-
partment. "as every public journal
has a right to express Its VIEWS" but
warned against the public mind be-
coming misguided. Upon the public.
that would never consent to the ex-
penditure Of funds for an increase In
the size Of the Navy. was placed the
blame by the Illinois senator for tho
present size of tho United States sea
forces, adding that warships cannot
be everywhere at once. The editorial.
he declared, gives the wrong impress
sion."
..by the false charges made against
the administration by those who
sought to benefit politically or by as
persion upon their own country. That
Germany will find US ready Is not to
be zainsaid. That we are wholly and
Completely prepared will not, by any
patriot, be disputed. But Germany
was invited by the unjust assaults by
those who would aspersc or benefit
politically"
. Senator Nelson Replies.
Senator Nelson Of Minnesota. repub-
lican. sharply interjected:
Does the senator think he can
stop tho German submarines by max
ing an assault on. the republican
Senator Lewis replied that he had
not mentioneds the republican party
and that such q charge against that
organization would be untruthful. He
added. however, that charges of un-
preparedness had come from individ-
uals in public and Official life as well
..The fact remains that the spirit is
too general" Senator Lewis concluded.
''by which we accept accIsations upon
and the public believes from the 81
lence in their truth.
replying with apparent feeling and
ouiverinE voice. Senator Lodge Of Mas
sachusetts. republican. said:
"Nothfng has SO stimulated and in
vited Germany as the loose brags and
boasts about the number Of troops we
are transporting to France. Germany
was not invited here by attacks upon
the Navy. because there have oeen
none. The Navy and the the, Napy De
tion. No doubt In some newspaper
offices there are men who might have
done better.
.The Navy and the Navy Depart
rent" the ssachusetts senator con-
tinued, "have necessarily anticipated
a submarine attack from the begin
ming of the war. They have had it
constantly in mind. They have tried
to take every precaution to meet 1t. I
think they have"
The Navy's activities cannot be
made public for patent reasons. Sena-
tor Lodge said. declaring no one can