AMERICA.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 30 April 1917, Page 5

AMERICA.

AMERICA ADOPTS CONSCRIPTION BILL CARRIED BY OVERWHELMING MAJORITY. WASHINGTON. April 29. The House, by 270 to 98, adopted an amendment of the Army Bill embodying President Wilson's conscription proposal, eliminating preliminary volunteering. The House adopted conscription by 397 to 24.

The Senate rejected by 69 to 18 the amendment of the Army Bill authorising the call of half a million volunteers.

Senator Harding's amendment permitting Mr. Roosevelt to raise four infantry divisions for service in France was adopted by 56 to 39. The Senate passed the Conscription Bill by 81 to 8. Registration under conscription begins within a month of the passage of the Bill.

AMERICA'S CONSCRIPTION DRAFT

Received 1013

WASHINGTON, April 29

As passed by the Senate the Army Bill provides a draft between the ages of 21 and 27 years; as passed by the House between 21 and 40. The difference will be thrashed out at an early conference. WHEAT GAMBLERS. WINNIPEG, April 28. When wheat soared to 282 to-day th e censor appeared on the floor of the Exchange and announced that no further trade in "futures" would be permitted. Prices then dropped twenty points. He further announced that the Allied Governments had sufficient wheat for present requirements, and made no purchases during the last forty cents jump.

GENERAL JOFFRE SPEAKS

E ULOG Y, OF THE AUSTRALIANS

URGES AN , AMERICAN . EXPEDI f TIONARY FORCE. '■'

Received 11.35.

WASHINGTON, April 29

General Joffre' received over seventy journalists today. ' Before making a statement he shook hands, and briefly greeted each individual journalist. He said to representatives of the Australian Press Association: "Ah,, the Australians, you have a great army. I have seen them on the ''West front, where they are doing splendid work. I'd like you to tell the Australian and New Zealand people what I think of the soldiers they've sent : abroad. I know their work, their iniative, their bravery: they're fine boys. 'lis sont tres bons garcons, tres ..bons •soldats-' " General Joffre, in a general statment, paid a tribute to the tremendous importance of the ; American " entry into the war, which he believed would have a great effect on the West front. He had asked about. Americans going to the front, and he was convinced the only way was to train them in France, because the conditions of this war were unprecedented. It was inadvisable to carry out the training in America, but if sent to France they could be trained there and be in close touch with the actual conditions, and therfore would be admirably prepared to take their places in the fighting line. It was of the greatest importance that the American flag should be at the front, and as soon as possible. It would be inadvisable to wait till say, five hundred thousand were trained in the States, because transportation difficulties then would be almost inseparable. It would be far better to send small units to France when enlisted, and should, if possible, send one division without delay. This comment is considered likely to influence Congress 1 ' attitude with regard to the Roosevelt division proposal.