The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-02-20

that havc happened--the humiiia tion OF
Napoleon, the arblter OF Europe the
DOWNFALL of Russia and the prominence
which we give 20 japan for the military
prestige they represent. the.- growth OF
Americas importance In playing the
Munroe Doctrine. Today the world Is
afraid OF us We get fiattery In the form
OF a costly present 90 the Princess Alice
or In orders for yacht for some foreign
prince. IL means we will some day have
TO make good this prestige We must pre-
pare for this contingency We must have
same military system. .Nstlonas that main.
tain one. pay the lowest rate OF insur-
ance for their Immunity
A study OF Switzerland would confirm
this. Her military system is perfect.
Swiss are practical They have no parade
ground features no politics. Every man
obeys orders and respects his officers.
IL you recall the Spanish war. where we
had fine comma anders-in- -chief. One whom,
with all respect 10 Gov. Shiffner. der
rick was necessary to hoist or an ele-
plant 10 move him around. Eagan and
Miles. each one had no authority because
nothing was done
IL every boy was 10 learn the elements
OF soldiery before he came TO college.
at an early age when Il would be at
tractive TO him. for every boy loves gun
ming and drills. he would be prepared 10
serve In any militia
Our system is dangerous because our
large population I'm our cities grow up
without manly exercise and instructed in
the rudiments OF peace. In the event OF
war We have TO create an army We have
too much OF the intellectual In our col
leges; so that what sports we do indulge
In. we carry TO extremes. Football threat
ems TO become extinct because we have al
lowed IL 10 become spectacular. Tho
Spaniard becomes lazy and given toward
wanting spectacular sports. such as bull
fighting. / would suggest that a cgire for
the present deadlock In not TO interview
college presidents all over the country
who never played football. but 70 spread
a more general love OF the game. The
facnfty and students play IL together.
In Yale something like ten per cent OF
the students take exercise. The man VINO
sweats hard. goes TO bed early. is better
capable OF intellectual work and honest
eports.
The milltarism OF Germany IS today
leading TO breach between the aristocracy
and the common people, which may be-
come serious We have no such danger.
although many n man graduates from
: West Point who has the marks OF knowl-
edge but not the nerve. The principle of
our army Is not republican nor demo-
cratic
Hero such a system has been restricted
because OF the fear that 1t would be used
internally. Our militia is more like a
club. an ornamental affair.
In conclusion, would say: Germany's
army. instead OF being a menace, will be
mainstay. The caste OF officers may be
menace, but with trained soldiery they
could not turn against the people. This
Is the reason why Germany goes into af-
fairs with SO much self-control, political
generosity This spectre OF Germany IS
not that OF mercenary soldiery. although
she throws a blff now and then, she is
careful moi TO go too far. Nor would II
be disastrous for her. Every year sees
her commerce grow
III you analyze IL you will find the thor
ough technical education, OF the youth OF
the land at the bottom OF II. Take and
put the young men OF the cities into the
army at that age when they are indo-
lent. and slovenly and after two years
he will come out disciplined and active.
German employers pay 30 per cent higher
wages for army disciplined men.
l don't want 20 have II appear that |
am in favor OF adopting the military sys-
TEN here, for I do not underestimate the
odiousness OF compulsory service, but !
think great deal OF profit can be gained
n this system should be taken up by our
American institutions and American ways
OF doing things.