Omaha daily bee., 1920-02-10
PARTY REFUSES
WILSON'S ADVICE
AS TO ARMY BILL
House Democrats in Caucus
Go on Record Against
Universal Military
Training.
(CsntinueA From First Pase.)

W0utWueo Hhv" r"ss AeSo1
deems it wise to commit itself in a
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
military grounds while the demon
strated advantage to the use of the
country WHICH came from military
service in the war plainly suggests
that in the national interest quite
apart from military considerations,
the moderate and carefully conduct
ed course Of military training may
have the highest possible advantages
In 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 and | would be
very glad to have you convey to ap-
propriate members of the house who
will attend the caucus my strong
feeling against action by the caucus
which will tend to interpose an arbi-
trary party determination to the con-
sideratiop which this subject should
receive 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"
No Personal Criticism.
Debate in the caucus by those ia
voring universal training reflected
the presidents stand. Representa-
tives Kitchin, North Carolina; Flood,
Virginia, and Dent, Alabama, were
among the speakers opposing the ac-
ceptance Of his argument. Though
urging rejection of the presidents
stand, these and other democrats Of
fered no personal criticism of either
the president or Secretary of War
Baker, who recently announced his
support of universal training.
Assertion of Independence.
After the caucus some of the demo-
Gratis frankly stated that their action
was an assertion of their "independ-
cnce" in the belief that they knew
the sentiment of the country better
than either the president or the party
leaders.
Reading of the presidents letter
virtually ended business before the
caucus and almost Immediately after
ward Representative Caldwell sought
to block any action by moving ad-
journment. His proposal was lost
by an overwhelming vote. General
debate was then precipitated by Rep
resentative Ayres. Kansas, offering
the resolution recording the demo-
Gratis against universal training.
Speakers did not discriminate be-
tween universal training and service
the latter including the enrolment
of the youths into the army-and as
finally adopted the resolution was so
changed as to declare opposition of
both.
Though the debate was held close
to the issue before the caucus, fire.
quent references to the president
and Secretary Baker were injected
into the discussion. Representative
Kitchin declared with all due defer
ence" to these officials he believed |
there could be no objection to the
house stating its position, especially
since both officials had put the
party on record" by announcing an
attitude.
Explains Wilson's Stand.
Mr.. Kitchin, in explanation of the
stand, told his colleagues !
that Mr.. Wilson's illness had "un-
fortunately" removed the executive
from an intimate touch with national
affairs and sentiment. In this con-
nection he read a telegram from
Ferris, Oklahoma,
chairman Of the democratic congress