Norwich bulletin., 1915-02-25
Educators Oppose
 School Mi|itarism
TOPIC OF NATIONAL EDUCATION-
 AL ASSOCIATION.
MILITARY DRILL INJURIES
pr. N. c. Schaffer Declares European War Should Be a Warning to Amer ican People Not to Foster MiIitarism in Public Schools.

Cincinnati. O., Feb 24-The intro duction of militarism into the public schools of the United States would be organized insanity" according to N. C. Schaeffer, state superintendent of public schools of Pennsylvania, who spoke before the department of super intendence of the National Education association here tonight. The entire night programme was devoted to dis cussions on the topic Should Our Ed ucational System Include Activities Whose Special Purpose is Preparation for War;"
 Dr. Schaeffer added:
 When the demand is made that mllitarism form an integral part of vocational training, the teachers dis traction reaches a climax. If she should succeed in fulfilling this latest requirement., the public schools would develop a race of Amazons more fierce than the militant suffragettes.
 Military Drill injurious.
 Investigations have shown that mill itary drill is injurious during the adolescent period and that the grace fitness of the cadets is not the out come of drilling or marching, but rather of the hours spent under the direction of the dancing master.
 "Militarism does not develop the sense of duty such as the Sunday school inculcates, but justified spying, lying, forged letters, telegrams and signals to mielead the enemy. Having been taught that it is right to sus pend the decalogue for his country's sake, the pupil afterwards repeals the ten commandments for his own sake whenever any advantage can thereby be gained in the political or financial world
 European War a Warning.
 The great powers of Europe have come to judgment and are grinding one another to dust and ashes. Their fate should be a warning to the American people not to introduce and foster mili- tarism in the public schools
 John H. Finley, president of the University of the State of New York and state commissioner of education in speaking on the subject of the even
 If by our educational system you mean our elementary and secondary schools, and if by war you mean the hellish thing which is now going on in Europe, the greatest savage game played under international rules then l say No, our educational system, in its basic nation wide principles, in its earth wide racial heritages and it's vo- cational courses, should not include those whose special purpose is prepa- ration for war
 Peaceful Duties for War Department.
 But if you will let me define war, am ready to ansyer Yes
 T am a militarist in the primitive, ancient, Aryan sense, and I build my martial system on the same foundation as that which all European languages remember-the assembling, the organ 1zing of individual men into milites, militia
 Tt is the war department that has dug the Panama canal, that has made regions accessible, that has made oth- CTS habitable, that has stayed pestil- ence and ministered most effectively to cities overwhelmed by disaster. I would have the conservation of health and the direction of education con- ceived of as functions of the war de- partment, scientifically, austerely ad- ministered for the common good.,'