The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1920-02-10
DEMOCRATS HIT
TRAINING BILL
Only II in the House Caucus
Vote With Wilson.
AGAINST MAKING IT ISSUE

The President Says National conven-
ton Should Declare the Principles
of the Party.
Washington, Feb. 10.-Democratic
members of the house, meeting In par
ty caucus refused to forego an ex-
preston of their position on universal
training, in the face of an appeal from
President Wilson that action be with
held so the party's stand might be left
to its national convention.
By vote of So to 81 the conference
voted down a proposal by Representa-
tive DOremus, Michigan, that no ac-
ton be taken on the question. His
motion was a substitute for one pro-
posing that the Democratic members
declare their opposition TO compulsory
training.
Immediately afterward the Demo
Gratis by u vote of 106 to II went on
record as against a resolution declar-
ing ''it is the sense of this caucus that
no measure should be passed by this
congress providing for universal COM
pulsOry military service or training"
The presidents letter, which was
written 10 Secretary Baker and trans
luitted to Democratic leaders in the
house, follows:
Il am told that a caucus of the DEM
ocratic members Of the house of rep
resentatives has been called TO cOnSid-
er pending military legislation, and
the suggestion has been made that
resolution be adopted committing the
Democratic membership of the house
against The policy of general military
training.
''In the present circumstances, ii
would seem to me unfortunate TO make
a party issue upon this subject, par
ticularly since within few months
the party will assemble m convention
and declare the principles upo (which
it deems it wise to commit itself in
q national election.
THE present disturbed state of the
world does not permit such surenesS
with regard to Americas obligations
as to allow us lightly to decide upon
this great question upon purely mill
tary grounds, while the demonstrated
advantage to the youth of the coun-
try which came from military service
in the war plainly suggests that in the
national interest, quite apart from
rrilil Ss-sss-s.sessa fie4as .enIc.1adezstoz
and Carefully conducted course of
military training may have the high
est possible advantages.
I'm our discussion of the subject,
you will recall my approval in prin-
ciple to the various very moderate
training projects suggested by the
general staff; and I would be very
glad to have you convey to appropri
ate members of the house who will
attend the caucus my strong feeling
against action by the caucus which
will tend to interpOse an arbitrary
party determination to the cOnsidera-
tion which this subject should receive
from the best thought of the members
Of the house, considering alike the
national emergencies which this sub
jec: should receive from the best
thought Of the members of the house,
considering alike the national emer-
gencies which may confront us and
the great disciplinary and other ad-
vantages which such a system plainly
promises for the young men of The
country"
Military training came to the fore in
the senate, Senator McKellar, Demo-
crat, Tennesses, opposing the training
provision of the army bill reported by
the military committee. He declared
it would open the way FOR the estab-
Iishment of military oligarchy."
Taking issue with those who said
that the system would cost only about
$130,000,OOO annually, Senator Nickel
lar said it would make the military
establishment cost $1,276, 5000 an
nually
"This is the most ambitiousIy auda-
cious and expensive military proposal
in all history" declared Senator Nc
kellar. IT is the most monstrous
proposition ever placed before the
American people, and if they swallow
it l will agree with P. T. Barnum's
famous remark that 'the American
people love to be humbugged,' and go
him one better and say they love to
be taxed"