OCR Text |
Show mm iies , SIMM Chamberlain of Oregon Declares De-clares Celtic Cars Used in Troop Movement. Says lie Proposes lo Press for an Investigation at Early Datc- VT ASHIXGTOX, JIarch 15. Chary"-, that. American soldiers from western states were moved from . an. AUaatie port of 'debarkation to their homes in cattle cars were made by Senator Chamberlain of' Oregon, chairman of the military committee in the last senate, sen-ate, in an address here tonight before the Mississippi society. ; "I will not tell you where these gallant gal-lant boys debarked,", said Senator Chamberlain, "because I propose to investigate in-vestigate the case further with a view, to, definitely filing responsibility. But the story told me only today was that these boys, overjoyed -at getting back to American shores, were placed in cars used for carrying livestock. They had no lights except that which could be given by lanterns, and uothing to eat except canned goods. Traveled Four Days. . "In this way they traveled for four days. Do you think thstt as they proceeded pro-ceeded on their journey they cultivated additional love for the country for which they had fought and suffered? They were in constant danger of getting into a spirit of disregard for the institutions insti-tutions of their country. What kind of a spirit do you think . treatment of this character will inspire in the victims? "Of course, I know the head of a great department can't be in constant touch with the details of his" office. But the man immediately in charge should be. held responsible,' and Americans Ameri-cans will demand a reckoning at his hands. The problem of taking care of the soldiers is one of the most severe that we will have to face. But it should be faced with candor, with open honesty and with unflinching courage. Nothing C3n be gained by1 "concealing the truth.'' Touches Racial Issue. "The right of racial discrimination is purely a domestic question," said Senator Chamberlain, "It is not an international question. Now, however, Japan wants to make it an international interna-tional question. If the clause that Viscount Vis-count Ishii insists shall be in the constitution con-stitution of the league of nations is permitted to stand, it means that we must let downline bars to the admission admis-sion of orientals. That would mean the" ruin of the west. "But -if -Hue allies refuse to allow the plea of Japan and that nation declines de-clines to join the league, then we will have three outlawed nations Germany, Russia and Japan. Then what becomes of "your world peace? The three outlawed out-lawed nations could unite and bring on another world war. I think we should very frankly discuss these questions. "We should face the perils and be ready to meet them. I am not among those who believe that discussion should be deferred. The danger is present and should be frankly pointed out. Believes in League. "I believe in a leagup. of nations, but. it must be such a league as will not take away a single fundamental American right. Eatber than see this done I would defeat the treaty and witness wit-ness another great war. "I hope our president, Fbom we all love, respect and revere, will manage to obtain for the world a league of nations na-tions that 'will prvve of such power as to bring war to an end. 1 have told some of my friends iu (lie senate that thev should not be so strong in their opposition to the proposed constitution as to leave the president- without power to conclude a treaty which would provide pro-vide for a perfectly acceptable- league. " Declines. to Comment, PORTLAND, Ore., .arch 15. Secretary Secre-tary of War Baker declined tonight to comment on the statement attributed to Senator Chamberlain in a :-.peech at Washington to the effect that soldiers from we; tern stages were moved from on. Atlantic: port of drharkatiou to .their homes in cattle cars. "1 know ni)iU2 about it." declared the secretary. t a dinner in his honor. Secrclarv Baker made an address strongly pleading plead-ing for the proposed lea:'uc of nation?;. President Wilson, he declared, was now in a strange land, fighting for the noblest nob-lest cause ever striven for bv anv man. Declares League Necessary. "If the peace conference do no more than to sell new boundaries for the nations. c shall ha' e the world war to fight o cr a"ain."' he d'-cli rod. "Let. America say to all peoples that the rowers have at la:t gotten I o'-;ctb'-r to free the world from tear of such re-currence:. re-currence:. The -:-s7ue of ' nation u necessary to do thi.: ' ' breaking of the horrors of war, the en-tary -aid: "I have an only son, a boy of 10 vpars. He is the hope of my future, but I wouM as willingly see liini dead now as to know that be must die in another an-other '-rld war. I ".ant to be aide to tf'd him that I have made his path as tai'c a: I cocM." |