New-York tribune., 1918-02-15
Kentucky Senator Comes
to Defence of the
Administration
Admits America
Has Made Mistakes
Asserts This Is the Time
for United Stand Be-
hind President

herlainS much discussed NC" Aoi
..oecb in which he charged that the
American military machine had SOM
,1ste,v broken down. might have been
- ~. cause of the failure of tho recent
strike disturbances III Germany and
+. Austria by giving the enemy new heart
and hopes of victory, Senator James,
g. of Kentucky, to-day in the Senate spoke
- length in defence OF the Admins
!. +radation's war accomplishments.
g. Senator James's speech reopened
the war discussion, which promises to
!. continue again for several days. with
:, Republicans leading the 'attack and
.. Democrats making defence.
senaton Chamberlain's speech, SEN
ator James declared unjustifed by the
facts and of great comfort to the
enemy.
1Who can measure the mighty force
os this utterance in the hands of the
Kaiser?" he asked, stating that it prob
ably was emphasized in German news
!. naners as responsible, coming from the
Chairman of the Military Committee.
Admits Mistakes Made
~. Of course, know he did not intend
il to have that effect; but I'm just
o. pointing out the danger of such utter
ances Let's see if they are warranted.
will undertake to prove they are not.
: "Of course, America has made mis-
, takes" he declared. "but VIC want to
go hack and live in the atmosphere be-
fore the war"
"Let us see a little further upon this
: m q
Of America breaking down.
~ have here speech made on Feb
ruary. 7, 1918. after the unfortunate
utterance of the senior Senator from
- Oregon (Mr. Chamberlain). 1t was
- made by the French High Commission
er. Let US see what he says:
~ "M Tardieu described Americas
military effort as wonderful and splen-
did, and asserted it had been sur
i, prise to the enemy. ,Alluding to the
raising of the National Army, NJ. Tar
C, dieu declared that no event of wider
import has ever taken place since the
beginning of the war. He continued:
Thus your government, with a
clear and courageous view, has given
you the strength of numbers, the first
condition of military power In April,
1917, you had 9,524 officers and 20s,
600 men. You have now 10000 Off
GERS and 100000 men, and the num-
Der of your>men in France at the
present moment is notably in excess
of the establishment of your army nine
months ago.
=, Against the unprepared uttcrance--
as the Senator tells US his speech was
which the Senator made. which he can
not sustain, but was forced to with
draw 80 per cent of it and undertook to
defend only part of it, place the state
ment Of this man, representing the
heroic government of France, who has
been here, who had carte clanche in all
.. OF the departments of this govern
ment. He says America has done won
-ders.
France, he said, has taken every
necessary measure so that America can
complete in France tho training begun
here.
Ahead in Aviation
Regarding aviation, American de-
velopment had been beyond all cxpec-
taton, he declared
warriors of the sky? America has
exceeded all expectations in her avia.
lion preparations. She has not fallen
down.
"He outlined how America had
helped the Entente also financially and
with shipping, food and fuel, aid which
ne described as intense and conclusive
whenever on special points, he add
ed, alludlng to his association with the
olilclals at Washington, Il believe that
mistakes have been made sav SO
frankly. The heads of the Cabinet
,he heads of your departments, know
IL from their own experience have
the optimism of the satisfied
30 SAID High Commissioner Tardieu
SDe2k1nr ED "A
OF America. The Senator from Oregon
, says there IS no use in being optimistic
AT apout something that does not exist
. Inc Hlgh Commissioner is satisfied
ana he had the satisfaction that op-
. tlmism gives.
, How has military establishment
, .aIlen down that can do work like
, mat he demanded. "No!" he shouted
at senator Chamberlain, "the depart
"ients nave not ceased functionng."
IN passing, Senator James referred
H. IL. former Senator Roots visit to Rus.
., sIa IN the attempt to hold her fast to
lhe Allies. The mission had failed, he
SAD, SAD but it was not Mr.. Roots fault
nut had MIR. Bryan been sent on that
.alsslon," he declared, chow this
onamber would have resounded with
Criticism"
:, Senator Jane reviewed with praise
me work of the navy. One of the dem.
onstrations of the navy's efficiency, he
, s@ald, was the repairing of the damaged
herman and Austrian ships.
, The captain of the Vaterland sale
ne would take off his hat to the Ameri
> cans If they could put that vessel into
operation again. That ship has carried
troops to France" said he.
:, AS we made the captain of the
saterland take off his hat, so we are
gong TO make the Kaiser hand over his
sword. America has not fallen down.
IN concluding Senator James said:
Need United Country
In time like this we need unitcd
american people back of the com
/, ",anaer IN chief of the army and navy
VI thiS land, and, of course. whoever
> attacks that commander will have tho
! mhole support of every pro-German
very spy, every pacifst, every enemy
" America, who will rally behind him
because they want to break down the
great directing force of this war.
PRESIDENT Wilson walks the tight
, !:tope-lt stretches across the sea with
ts wrecks and dead; he holds in his
;aands the richest treasure ever lodged
, IN the keeping of one man. That treas
! ure Is our very life, our liberty, our in.
s,,tutlons, our homes, our fires sides, our
: Let me plead with you; let me plead
with all Americans not shake the
rope; DO not badger him; do not