New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1911-06-28
The Decline Of Militarism.

The Chicago Inter Ocean Is greatly
distressed because Of the report from
West Point that there are forty
vacancies In this years class for
which no applications have been
received, and nearly hundred IN
next years class which nobody seems
to wish to I'LL.
Says the Inter Ocean: "Here is 3
school, the Oldest of Its kind in the
world in point of continuous opera
ton, and one of the most famous.
The government Of the United States
offers there the best engineering
obtainable anywhere, without any
cost to the student except that OF
travel to West Point for test of his
qualifications. Indeed, the student Is
paid for studying, and with reason
able economy in personal expenditure
can complete his course with savings
ample to procure the outfit he will
need in the employment that stands
ready for him. All that is asked ip
return for the students time and work
is good conduct, attention to duty,
and that he shall serve the govern
ment for not less than four years after
graduation, with minimum pay of
81, 100 a year, and with assurance OF
permanent employment during good
behavior if he remains in the service,
and suitable pension for his old age.
Yet the young men of this country of
II to 81 years of age and their families
leave 40 chances of that sort 20
almost a-begging!"
The Inter Ocean thinks this very
serious situation, says the Duluth
Herald, and beyond doubt it is q
significant and highly interesting con-
dition. It is in its explanation of it
that the Chicago newspaper goes
lame: 1T is the shameful product of
the teaching of recent years that the
soldiers life is to be despised, that
there is no real good in life that
money cannot buy, and that there is
nothing in this Republic or It's insti-
tutions which it is worth while for men
to fight for and to die for if need be-"
This thing which the Inter Ocean
find so alarming really is one of the
finest and most promising develop
ments in recent years. 1t does not
mean that any body has taught, or
that anybody has believed, that "there
is nothing in this Republic or its
institutions which it is worth while
for men to fight for and to die for if
need be.' 1t does mean that the
world is becoming convinced of the
folly Of war, and of the wickedness OF
pressing upon the bent backs of those
who pay all taxes, because they are
too poor to evsde taxation, the dread
full burden of preparedness for war.
II need arose that men should fight
and die for this Republic, men would
fight just as bravely and die just as
nQbly as American citizens ever did.
But without seeking to tarnish the
glory of those who fight and die for
the Republic, the people have grown
to finer appreciation of those who
live and work for the Republic and
its people.
The young men of today hold the
high and noble ambition to do con-
structive work for the good of their
fellows, and it is no wonder that the
glitteriug attractions of West Point
are impotent to such young men. War
is a survival of barbarism. The
ornaments of nations are akin to the
slungshot of the bully. Even in times
of times of peace, millions are hungry
because of the tremendous burden of
supporting armies and navies full OF
ablebodied men in the prime OF youth
who should be producing, not waste
fully consuming the products of the
toll of others.
Those 40 vacancies in West Point
classes mean that the youth of today
has higher aim than arraying itself
in the pomp and panoply of militarism,
and therefore it is splendid sign. 1t
means not less patriotism, as the Inter
Ocean would have US think, but more
patriotism of higher order than the
old. 1t is brave and noble to die for
ones country, but it is Drawer and
nobler to live for it and to work fol
it.