The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-08-28
COMPEL CITIZENS
TO SERVE IN ARMY.
Paul Morton Suggests
That German Method
Be Followed.
HE BELIEVES
III DESIRABLE
Returns From Europe Filled
With Idea That Young Men
Should Have Compulsory
Military Training-He Is
Optimistic as to Bust
ness Conditions.

Especial to The Times Dispatch

Especial to The Times-Dispatch.1
Kew York, August 27--In an inter-
view with The Times Dispatch, Paul
Morton. president of the Equitable
Life Assurance Society, who has Just
returned from a vacation in England.
France and Germany, advocates the
novel and radical proposition that en-
forced CONSUMPTION in the military SER
vice for at least one year might be
most desirable thing for the United
st-tes.
Mr.. Morton bases this conclusion
upon his observations OF CONSUMPTION
in Germany--a system which has not
hitherto appealed very strongly to the
American people
Mr.. Morton. however, as the head
of one OF the greatest life insurance
companies of the world, looks at the
mates from an economic point OF
view, and says that enforced conscrlp-
ton in Germany, in his opinion, fur
nishes one Of the foundations for that
country's unexampled prosperity. MIR.
Morton is of the opinion that enforced
CONSUMPTION improves mans Citizen
ship. makes him patriotic, teaches con-
centration of mind. sets a man UP
physically, and stimulates respect Tor
law and order.
He's an Optimist.
Mr.. Morton Is optimistic, SO tar az
the business condition of this coun-
try is concerned. He says there Is
growing disposition on the part of the
foreigners to invest in American So
curities, and that SO long as they
continue to have good crops. the
American people enjoy as much pros
perity as any nation ought to expec,
While abroad" said Mr. Morton, II
travelled in Great Britain, France and
Germany. The weather In Europe mas
| been very unsatisfactory Tor crops, ow-
| ing to almost continuous rain, and. the
damage TO the French crops especially
has been very serious. 1t is estimated
! by we'll informed French people that
the damage to crops this year VIII
aggregate $5O0,0oo00o This includes
the damage to the grape crop-dam.
| age to vineyards as we'll as cereals, and
1t was the opinion Of well posted
bankers with whom / talked that 1t
would have quite a direct bearing on
the French investing ability for the
| next year
| There is not any doubt in my mind
| that the foreigners are looking with
| more and more favor on American Sc
curities. and that the violent break
which we have had in this market has
been an inducement for many Of them
to make purchases.
There is a growing disposition on
the part Of the foreigners to buy
American securities and have them
held over here by American bankers
and brokers, who have established
| themselves in London and Paris.
Still Many Obstacles.
IT think there is still quite strong
Discrimination to allow our securities
to be listed on the Paris Bourse. and
this could not be done easily, as there
| are a number of obstacles to be over
| come, some OF which may necessltate
| changes in the French laws.
abroad was Germany. l did not see
la beggar there. and was very much
surprised. The population of Germany
is Increasing .e rapidly ,, without bout
vinced that one Of the greatest things
| that benefits Germany Is the enforced
military service which every male In
habitant has to render to his country:
military service for the United States
| for perhaps year only might not
be a desirable thing for this country:
1t teaches discipline, both mental and
spect for themselves and respect for
law and order, and believe 1t i'm
proves mans citizenship and make $
him more patrloto bei eve
der, and think 1t Is one of the causes
of the prosperity Of the German ma
ton.
h Seem IS aafft adSaen
| in chemistry and other scientific
studies which require great concentra-
ton of thought.
ana effective American navy There IS
1.-the greatest competition between Great
| Britain and Germany in the build
ing of huge battleships.
II think we should maintain our po-
sition on the seas, and l hope the
! a most efficient fighting fleet on both
1.-THE Atlantic and PACIFIC Oceans. l con-
j slider the cost OF a great navy as moth
ing more than the insurance a nation
like ours should have against inva-
Would be Ridiculous.
| sour position as world power
would be ridiculous II we should have
Hawaii or the Philippine Islands taken
away from us by force. or because
we did not have a sufficient navy to
prevent 1t,
/ States are concerned, am an optimlst
] The new census shows that we have
| about 90 100000 people. and the growth
of the country alone makes me opti-
4 mistlc,
condensation. No new railroads are
being built. and in my opinion the en-
4 forcement OF the law preventing the
]; payment of rebates and special privi-
;ieges Of all kinds, coupled with uni
Il form system of accounts and govern
/ ment supervision. will In the long run
prove most beneficial, not alone8to the
4 public at large. but to the Shareholders
a Of railroads generally.
Gas long as we have a continuance
y Of good crops and our farmers receive
Il fair prices for what they have to sell
4 we shall continue to enjoy as much
A prosperity as any nation"
s4sAO TO CALIFORNIA,
Arizonu and New Mexico via Washinston
niar lrA airrli