The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-02-09
PRESIDENT Will So \ TO
OPPOSE PLAN LEAD { Rs
TO MAKE THE MILITARY
7 RA | \ N c AN ISSUE At
PARTY CAUCUS TONIGHT

Washington, Feb. 9.-Presldent VII.
son opposes the plan to have the dem.
ocratic members of the house at their
caucus tonight make an issue of uni
versal military training.
The presidents views are set forth
in letter to Secretary Baker. trans
mitted today to democratic leaders in
the house. Mr.. Wilson says it would
be unfortunate 10 make the party
issue on this subject, particularly
since within n few months the party
will assemble in convention and de-
clare the principles upon which it
deems it wise TO commit itself in
national election"
The president saye the disturbed
state of the world does not permit
such sureness with regard to Ameri
cas- obligations as to allow us light.
ly TO decide upon this great ques.
ton upon purely military grounds"
He recalls that he gave his approx
al in principle to the various moder.
general staff and expresses his strong
feeling against action by the can.
Gus which would tend. Ito interposc
an arbitrary party determination 20
the consideration which this subject
should receive from the best thought
of the members of the house"
The call for the caucus tonight
was issued by Representative CLARK.
the democratic leader on petition o.
n number Of democrats opposed TO
general military training.
The presidents letter follows:
II am told that caucus OF the
democratic members Of the house
of representatives has been called 20
consider pending military legislation,
and the suggestion has been made
that resolution he adopted commit.
ting the democratic membership OF
the house against the policy of gen.
oral military training. In the pres
ent circumstances, il would seem 70
me unfortunate to make party issue
upon this subject. particularly since
within n few months the party will
assemble In convention and declare
the principles upon which it deems It
wise to commit itself in n natlona'
election. The present disturbed state
OF the world does not permit such
sureness with regard TO Americas
obligations, az TO allow us lightly 10
decide upon this great question upon
purely military grounds while the
demonstrated advantage to the u'e
of the country which came from nil
itary service In the war plainly sug-
pests that in the national interest
quite apart from military consider.
ations, the moderate and carefully con.
Quoted course Of military training my
have the highest possible advantages.
In our discussion Of the subject you
will recall gave my approval In
principle to the various very moder'
ato training projects suggested y
tho general staff and I would he
very glad to have you convey TO ap-
proprlate members Of the house who
will attend the caucus my strong
feeling against action by the cau-
Gus which will tend TO interposc
an arbitrary party determination to
the consideration which this subject
should receive from the best thought
Of the members Of the house, con-
siderng alike TIE national emergencies
which may confront us and the grca,
disciplinary and other advantages
which such system plainly prom
ises for the young men Of the coun
try"