The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1918-04-05

-~~~~~~-~~~-~~~~~~~
vigorously denied by Senator Jones and
others, who cOntended that the public
misleading statements of the Progress
of our war preparations.
| In follow-up speech Thursday Sem
ator Williams bluntly declared that
Senator La Toilette should be expelled
from the senate, and that Victor Berg
er, Socialist candidate for the senate
from Wisconsin, should be informed.
Mr.. Williams colleagues appeared to
be startled by this, but not one of
them had the nerve to indorse his sug-
gestions.
As to airplanes. it was admitted In
the senate that instead of the 10000
or $1,000 planes the aircraft board had
| promised to send to France by July 1,
only 81 will be shipped according to
the present schedule. Testifying be-
fore the senate committee, Gen. Leon
ard Wood told Of the crying need for
airplanes for the American expedi-
| tionary forces now on the other side.
Mr.. Creel's publicity committee came
In for sharp reproof for sending out
misleading captions on photographs Of
| airplane construction.
On Thursday Senator Overman
aroused the senate by making the pos
tive statement that German spies were
employed in the Curtiss airplane plant
at Buffalo, and that their work had de-
| layed the making of planes for months.
| These spies. he said, had weakened
joints in the planes so that they col
lapsed, and he exhibited one Of the
parts so tempered with to prove his
assertion. Mr.. Overman advocated
that the government commander the
| Curtiss plant and turn out every one
OF It's present employees.
-
Following the debate I'm the senate
the shipping board issued statement
OF It's work, showing that since 1t
began its activities 1873 vessels have
been launched, of which 1O3 have been
completed and put into service. OF
the launchings. 1O3 were requisitioned
vessels and 23 were built for the board
on contract in new yards. Eleven Of
the launchings were wood. Quantity
production will win the war and that
Is what we are getting" said Chair
man Hurley. Negotiations for the
transfer of 10000 tons of Japanese
shipping to the United States have
been completed, and it Is understood
much more will follow.
The government, and Great Britain
and France as well, continue to empha-
size the fact that the basis Of victory
for the allied cause is an adequate sup
ply of shipping, for Americas armies
must be transported to France, food
and munitions for them and for the al
lies must be taken over, and for these
purposes ships must be provided much
faster than the German U-boats can
sink them.
The latest report Of the British ad-
miralty shows an increase in the num-
Der Of larger vessels sunk by subma-
rines.
AS a spur to American activity and
enthusiasm. Premier Lloyd-GeOrge sent
to Lord Reading. British ambassador,
an appeal for urgent haste in Amer1-
can troop movements to France. This
Lord Reading read at banquet In
his honor in New York. at is impos-
sible," said the premier's cablegram,
ito exaggerats the Importance Of get
ting American re-enforcements across
the Atlantic in the shortest possible
time"
In the German-infested regions of
the country the enemy aliens and
| traitors were unable to restrain their
Joy over the German drive, and in cen
sequence there were many arrests. It
is to be hoped that at least some Of
the seditionists will be severely pun
ished, but In view Of the mild treat
ment given most Of them the hope IL
rather faint. Americans the country
over are growing decidedly impatient
with the kid-glove method Of handling
the spies and traitors who are caught.
The feeling that many OF them should
be stood up before a wall and shot Is
prevalent, and the action Of impulsive
patriots In certain sections makes II
plain that 1t would be easy to revive
the vigilantes of the old days on the
Pacific coast and clean up the whole
unsavory crew. The genuine spy COM
mands a certain amount Of respect. his
work being recognized In certain
measure as a part, Of warfare, but
there can be only contempt for the dis
loyal American citizen. whether he be
pacifist. 1. w. w., senator or plain
civilian