Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-13
ARM Y
PROPOSAL
OPPOSED
BY HOUSE
General Sentiment Against
Force Of Over 175,000
Men Disclosed in Mill
tary Bill Debate,

u
Washington, Feb. 12.-Geherai OPP
position to a standing army in excess
of 17s,00O men as authorized in the
national defense act three years ago
was voiced in the house today dur
ing debate on the annual army ap-
preparation bill, with its provision
for military force of $4,000 officers
and men during the period of de-
mobilization.
Chairman Dent of the military
committee was questioned closely as
to the future army, several mem-
bers asking if the force provided in
the bill was to be permanent army
strength. The chairman explained
that it was not and there was gen.
eral applause from both sides of the
house when Representative McKen-
zie of Illinois, republican, said the
military committee favored small
army.
Mr.. Mckenzie said the proposal OF
the army general staff for perma-
nent peace-time military establish
ment of 100000 had been rejected by
the committee and Representative
Kahn of California, republican, inter
rupted to say not single member
of the committee favored the pro-
posal.
Debate Takes Wide Range.
Discussion in the house continued
throughout the day with leaders Of
fering no prediction as to when a
vote would be taken on the meas
ure. which carries a total Of 81 ,l00,-
100000 for the War department dur
ing the fiscal year beginning next
July l.
Debate was not confined to the
bill itself. There was criticism OF
the War department., praise for Cen
eral Pershing and various American
units which fought in France, dis
cussion of bolshevism and protest
against President Wilson accepting
a set of books as birthday gift
from King George of England.
Much of the discussion was given
to the national guard. Representa-
tive Mckenzie said that whatever
the future military policy might be
the national guard should be re-
tanned and his declaration was Wig
orously applauded. The other mem
bers in urging retention of the guard
after demobilization praised the
work of the guard divisions during
the war.
Attacks Espionage Law.
Representative London of New
York directed discussion to boil
shevism with the declaration that
''everv new thought or new idea is
called bo1shevism, which he de-
clared was but a passing stage OF
revolution common only to Russia.
He urged repeal of the espionage
law. declaring that socialists had
been unjustly imprisoned by its ap-
plication to throttle free speech and
free assemblage.
Representative Walsh of Massa-
chusetts, republican, declared that
Mr.. London's interest in repeal OF
the espionage law might be with
the view of "prejudging the case OF
one of his colleagues" Representa-
tive-elect Berger of Milwaukee,
whose utterances, Mr.. Walsh de-
cIared @were not toward uniting
our people during the war or to aid
its prosecution.
1--WE do not need the urging and
teachings Of Lenine and Trotzky or
the New York socialist and his as
sociates in improving our govern
ment," added Mr.. Walsh
Shallenberger Praises Pershing.
Republican Leader Mann criticis-
ed the delay in casualties reports,
saving the Red Cross, although hav-
ing information, was forbidden from
giving it to soldiers relatives unless
the War department had previously
announced it.
Charges of Representative Hersey
of Maine, republican, that regular
army officers were unduly favored
in France, resulting in the demo-
ton of many competent national
guard commanders, were answered
BY Representative Shallenberger lof
Nebraska, democrat, who declared
that politics was out of the army.
Mr.. Shallenberger, in praise Of Gen.
cral Pershing, declared the United
States was the only country in the
war to pick an army head who stood
the test" and added that Pershing
was the first general to declare that
the German army could be beaten
and shat the Hindenburg line could
be smashed.
Representative Ramseyer Of Iowa,
republican, protested against the ac-
ceptance of set of books BY the
president from King George, saying
the action was unconstitutional be-
cause it had not been approved by
congress. Suggestions that a law
permitting men of the army to re-
ce;ve gifts from heads Of foreign
states covered the case because the
president was commander-in-chief of
the army, brought statement from
Representative Kain that the law
applied only to military decorations.