The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-09-25

Continued From First Page)
not be without the neans for self
protection and cannot disarm under
present conditions. The problem then
is 70 secure such means OF protection
as will harmonic with democratic
ideals and institutions. and at the
same time be effective and reliable.
Or course naval protection involves
problems different from the military.
but so far as the army L. concerned.
lit seems to me that we must maintain
n small standing army and give the
ma sses OF the people an opportunity
for military training that shall pre-
pare them to be readily available for
the defense OF the nation. Any such
policy must be worked out carefully
on voluntary basis. providing for
equal opportunities for all Any plan
that is based upon professional dis
tinctlons or any other distinction that
has resulted from opportunities avail
able to few has a tendency to foster
one of the evils OF militarism,
Make II Voluntary.
Whenever those who Join in mill
tary camps or military training must
file applications stating their profess
SONS or callings. the ofhcers in charge
of this work are given a degree of
discretion which will enable them to
create and encourage undemocratic
customs. The greatest protection
against the dangers of mslitarism can
be secured through making military
training voluntary and as general as
possible and through fostering In the
citizens the best conceptions OF their
duties as American citizens One
method that would promote this pur-
pose is to make the naval and military
school open to any ono who desires TO
enter, and who has the qualifications
lust as entrance to ali other institu-
tons Of higher learning Is open to
those who desire 10 take courses in
those institutions. This policy would
enable those with ability ard with
ambition for that kind OF work TO
render service to their country. and at
the same time would create such a
large available supply of men trained
to serve as officers that we could feel
that we had adequate protection. and
lat the same time had safeguarded
against the evils Of militarism
When service in the army and
navy Is voluntary and Is open to all,
and the eommander-in-ch chief of both
the army and navy Is held personally
directly responsible to the people, III
seems to me that the greatest precau-
EtlDn mas Deen taken 10 secure our ma
tional protection without endangering
the freedom OF the people. This plan
should, of course, be supplemented by
additional opportunities for the
citizens to secure training for service
in the ranks Of the regiments.
You know, OF course, that while
the organized labor OF the country
advocates peace, It advocates peace for
the sake of justice and not peace at
any price. Our experience has taught
zig that we can secure Justice and
recognition for our necessary de-
mands only when we are prepared to
protect our demands and to enforce
our ideals of Justice. The principles
which underlie the policies OF the
labor movement are, in general. the
same fundamental principles that
nnderlie any relation Of life. whether
i as individuals or nation. There Is
always 4 danger associated with mill
tary service growing out of profess
Ei0n Alasmss~s Nv this mean the AM
b!tion any Individual has to promote
his profession.
Inasmuch A. you are one of the
leaders IN an active movement for
securing national defense. desire to
present this matter to you rather
fully for your most scrious considera .
ton. for II seems to me II Ii q matter
OF vital importance.
Very sincerely youra.
SAMUEL CsOMPERS,
President American Federation Of
Labor