New-York tribune., 1920-02-10
House Caucus, lO6 to IL,
Votes Opposition to
Compulsory Service, AL
though Asked to Delay
All Com promises
Are Turned Down
First Time His Own Men
on Such an Occasion
Have Failed President

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.-Democrats
OF the House in party caucus tonight
bluntly declined to follow the political
advice of President Wilson and adopted
resolution opposing passag. of leg
lslation by this Congress providing for
universal military training.
letter from the President to Sec
retary Baker, which he in turn trans
mitted to Representative Caldwell, of
New York, was read to The caucus. 1t
declared it would be "unfortunate to
make party issue" upon the subject
OF universal military training. A half
dozen members pleaded with their col
sltion, and after two and half hours
OF discussion the caucus, by vote of
1O6 to IT, adopted this resolution:
ut is the sense of this caucus that
no measure should be passed by this
Congress providing for universal COM
pulsory military service or training"
Gloom Among Democrats
1t was the first time the Presidents
advice has been rejected by his own
party in Congress except on votes on
matters of legislation, and at no past
party caucus has he failed to sway
the Democrats by so decisive major
ity
The vote for the resolution was more
than six to one, while a substitute pro-
posed by Representative Doremus of
Michigan that the caucus take no ac-
~ IL. 4
jibed with the Presidents advice, was
beaten, 80 to 81.
Democrats were not happy tonight
over the news of the Presidents defeat
| in party caucus. They realize it can
not lead to the best of feeling between
the White House and the Capitol in
the future, and they now regard it as
unfortunate that the caucus was called
at all.
The decisive way in which the Demo-
Gratis showed their aversion to military
subject a mortal blow for this session
at least. Republican leaders already
are out against it on the expressed
grounds of economy, and are not ex-
pected to change their position after
the Democrats have aligned themselves
The caucus tonight bound no one.
No resolution was passed for this pur-
pose, and il the subject of universal
training ever reaches the floor each
man will be left to vote as he sees fit.
Caldwell Reads Letter
The caucus started shortly after 4
o'clock Representative Caldwell read
the Presidents letter to Secretary
Baker, the text of which was as fol
lows:
81 am told that caucus of the
Democratic members of the House
of Representatives has been called to
consider pending military legislation,
and the suggestion has been made
that resolution be adopted COM
mitting the Democratic membership
OF the House against the policy of
general military training.
"ln the present circumsta tances it
would seem to me unfortunate to
make a party issue upon this sub
Ject, particularly since within a few
months the party will assemble in
convention and declare the principles
upon which it deems it wise to com
NIT itself in national election.
Sureness Mistake
"The present disturbed state Of the
world does not permit such sureness
with regard to Americas obligations
as to allow us lightly to decide this
great question upon purely military
grounds, while the demonstrated ad-
vantage to the youth of the country
which came from military service in
the war plainly suggests that in the
national interest quite apart from
and carefully conducted course of
military training may have the high
est possible advantages.
"ln our discussion of the subject,
you will recall gave my approval in
principle to the various very moder-
ate training projects suggested by the
general staff would be very glad
to have you convey to appropriate
members of the House, who will at
tend the caucus, my strong feeling
against action by the caucus which
viii tend to interDose an arbitrary
party determination to the consdera-
tion which this subject should re-
ceive from the best thought of the
members of the House, considering
alike the national emergencies which
may confront us and the great disci-
plinary and other advantages which
such system plainly promises for
the young men Of the country"
Kitchin Leads Fight
The first resolution proposed was by
Representative Ayers, of Kansas. 1t
reads as follows "Resolved, That the
Democrats of this Congress are opposed
to compulsory military training in time
of peace"
Repres entative Gard, of Ohio, moved
to amend this resolution by striking
out the words ain time of peace" and
Mr.. Doremus offered his substitute that
no action be taken by the caucus at
this time.
= Representative Kitchin, of North
Carolina, former leader Of the Demo
Gratis in the House, led the fight for
the adoption of the Ayers resolution.
and he was supported by Representa-
tives Flood, of Virginia; Quin, of Mis-
sissippi, and others. They argued that
the sentiment in a majority of the Con-
gressional districts IS at this time
against universal training and that the
President Is not in as good position to
understand how strong that sentiment
is as are members Of the House.
There were no attacks on the Presi-
dent, but members speaking against
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