Mexico Missouri message., 1918-05-16

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Belgian roads. The Netherlands gov
eminent refuses to permit Germany to
take these materials through Dutch
territory for military works.
-R-
The Guatemalan national assembly
has declared that Guatemala occupies
the same position toward the European
belllgerents as does the United States,
which In diplomatic circles is consid-
cred declaration Of war on Germany
and her allies.
Ia
The rapidlty with which American
troops are being sent across the Allan
tic Is heartening the allies and DEM
onstrating the intention Of our govern
ment to put in the field the greatest
possible force in the shortest possible
way of England, and the fact that they
are being transported across the Eng
fish channel In safety has aroused the
Germans to such an extent that their
naval authorities have had to apollo
gize for the inaction Of their fleet.
1t 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 d.
rector General Schwab and the ship
ping board were told by General Gos-
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-
duction' 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 will 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 Cof-
fin retires from craftsmanship of the
aircraft board but remains q member
of the advisory commission of the
council Of national defense.
The reports on the airplane situa-
ton made to the president by the
Marshall committee and by assistant
secretaries of war were not made pub
lie, but 1t is admitted that they sub
Stimulated the report of the senate
committee that the program had coli
lapsed.
Both houses OF congress have passed
the joint resolution to register for mill
itary service all males becoming twen-
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 8.
-
The Chamberlain bill to turn sedi-
tionists over to military tribunals for
trial by court martial met Its fate
when President Wilson declared his
firm opposition to 1t and other au-
thoritles said 1t was unconstitutional.
It was, OF course. introduced because
| Of charges that the department of jus
! tee has been lax in combating enemy
propaganda, but these charges are re-
futed by the department, which re-
ports it has secured at least $500 con-
victlons in the last year. despite the
inadequacy Of federal laws against
/ sabotage and dlsloyal utteranees. The
number of acQuittals has been relative
ly small.
The senate devoted much time last
week to debating the Overman bin for
the coordination of government activ-
tiles and 1t gained supporters daily.
Senator Chamberlain being among
those who declared he would vote for
it. In opposing the bin Senator SHEER
man of Illinois found opportunity 70
make bitter attack on various mem
bers Of the cabinet and on GeOrEa
Creel.