The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-08-02
wOLSELEY's FIXED IDEA
The English Commander Discusses shS
Merits OF General Conscrlption-

Merits OF General Conscription.
Lord Wolseloy. the only General En-
gland Is supposed TO have In reserve
for a great campaign. Is an outspoken
advocate OF universal military service,
In an article Ia the Fortnightly Review
he refers 10 this system as a precious
legacy bequeathcd by the first French
revolution 10 Europe. and then pro-
eeeds 10 enlarge upon the benefits
which are conferred upon the nations
OF the continent by standing armies
and general cOnscriptlon. He takes tho
German army as the highest existing
type Of modern system Of military or
ganizatiou, for which tho changes ef-
fcctod In tho wars OF French fcyo.u-
tion opened and prepared the way; and
nc expresses profound admiration for IL
as n soldier and still more as IA citizen.
"Grcat rs IL Is for war; ho cxclaims.
"It Is infinitely greater rs n national
school for the moral, mental and ply
sical training Of the people, The
German army, In his ju1gmolt. Is a
national blessing II supplies perfect
system OF physical training for men,
promotes habits Of cleanliness. order
and obedience, and affords moral cd
ucation that could with difficulty bo
furnished in any other way. IL teaches
all those virtues which serve 10
make men good subjects and law
abiding citizens. II Is alike the strong
est bulwark against communism and
the greatest Of peace institutions.
Universal military service In Lord
Wolseloy's judgment is not only the
direct outcome Of the revolution Of
1889, but its most valuable result
Englishmen will be startled 20 learn
that instead OF setting Europe "A good
example by obstinatcly rcfralning from
participating in tho military movement
OF the last thirty years. they have neg
lected TO make use OF ono OF the grand
est opportunities OF modern civiliza-
tion. They have set their faces STERN
ly against tho policy OF maintaining
large standing armies, and compelling
every man physically ft for service TO
spond several years In barracks and
with tho reserves. Their greatest
soldier tells thom plainly that thoy are
doprivlng the English people OF tho In
comparable advantage, OF physical
and moral training In the bost school
OF citizenship; that German civilization
Is vastly superior TO their own. and
that one OF these years they will learn
under tho pressure OF necessity the
most important lesson OF the great
social aud political revolution OF the
last century.
IL Is fortunate that tho English
spoaklng race has had wiser and more
philosophical monitors than this fan
tastic hero OF the Ashantco war, Tel
el-Kebir and tho disastrous desert cam
paigns on tho Upper Milo. Washing
ton, Wellington and Grant wore SOL
diers superior in every respect to this
elusive ndmirer OF existing European
camps and tactics. and they abhorred
war and military life and loved arts
and industries OF peace. Lincoln
united with Gladstone and Bright In
condomnlhg war and standing armies
as allied forms OF barbarism alien to
tho genius OF Christian civilization. II
Lord Wolsolcy were more genuine
and consstant Englishman he would
not DO found cxtolling the virtues OF
military conscription and barrack life.
N. Y. Tribune.