Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 67, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 April 1917 — DRAFT SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE ONLY COURSE [ARTICLE]

DRAFT SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE ONLY COURSE

American louth Fails to Respond to ■Cail For Volunteers, Making Draft Imperative. Washington, April 9. —President Wilson threw the weight of his personal influence into the scales today in an effort to overcome opposition in congress to the administration army plans based on the draft system. Summoning Chairman Dent, of the 'house military committee, now considering the bill, to the white house, bhe president made it clear that he believes the safety of the nation hangs oh the action-of congress in this regard. He will make a similar exposition of the military situation to Representative Anthony, of Kansas, who has led opposition to the draft plan among republican members of the committee. ’ln his war address Mr. ■ Wilson formally told congress that in his judgment the United States must face her enemy with a certain weapon in the form of an anny by application to the people of universal liability for military .service as a duty of citizenship. Supplementing that, he issued recently a statement approving in every detail the departmental plans which have the unanimous approval of the army general staff. In his action today, however, the president recognized the fact that there may develop a strong feeling in congress in favor of adhering to the old volunteer system and sought to bring home to Mr. Dent, one ot those who 'hold that view, the lessons to be drawn , from the great war into which the United States has been plunged and which all point, military advisers of the government say, to tire absolute necessity of facing the issue squarely and summoning men to the colors by draft. A compromise plan may be offered by the opponents of compulsory service. A sentiment for such a move was evident in Mr. Dent’s committee, before which Secretary Baker and the military chiefs of the war department assembled in fill! strength during bhe day to support the administration’s policy. There was no indication, however, that a compromise would be accepted by the president.