The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-14
BILL TO ENFORCE
MILITARY SERVICE
Chamberlain Would start En-
listment at ~ to Last
Twelve Years,
NAVY ALSO Is INCLUDED

WASHINGTON. Dec. i3.-A bill for the
establishment Of "a citizen army based on
the Swiss system Of military service was
introduced In the enate to-day by Sena-
tor Chamberlain. chairman OF the Mill
tary Affairs Committee.
Tho proposed measure provides that
every male citizen Of the United States
from his twelfth to twenty-fourth year
shall register for military service and
give n portion OF his time to military
training. After his twenty-fourth year
he shall become "A member Of the re-
serves. liable for service In time Of war.
Although 1t Is not probable that ON
gress will complicate the national de-
fence problem by considering the Ques-
ton until an Increase OF the permanent
establishment IL out of the way. the bill
attracted much attention by reason of
the fact that II embodies the first plan
proposed for the Introduction of til. mill
taristic system in the United States.
Senator Chamberlain's plan proposes
the establishment OF a citizen cadetship
OF males between the ages OF IL and II
years, and a citizen army of those be-
tween the ages of IL and o3. men beyond
tho 3 OF - to enter the citizen army
reserve.
No citizen would be able TO escape the
training required unless he came within
the rather slender list Of exceptions, In
cludine the physically and morally I'M
nj. school teachers. those engaged in
police and prison service, members of
established cfeeds hostile to war or the
use or arms. mariners and those excused
by the President or division conf
mandsnts.
According to the plan all males would
No ranttiral IN .~,s ~ q
and to report ny changes OF address.
Penalties are provided for attempts 10
escape the service.
The minimum training required by the
OIL IL ninety hours per year from the
age ot IL 10 -: including gallery prac-
lice the same regulation applies to those
between ~ and Ii not less ina ninety
hours training and ten days In camp
each year is provided for those between
l6 n is. At the age OF IL the train
Ing service Is heightened to 100 hours or
twenty days every year for six years.
at the end OF which time the citizen
would become a citizen reserve.
The Congressional district is made the
unit for the proposed organization. At
the head of each district there would
be a commandment with regular army Of
ncers To conduct the proposed training,
which may he carried on in schools,
public and private. and through such
organizations "a the Boy Scouts.
The measure also provides for the
OF a citizen army diyi-
sion In the general staff corps Of the
army. Except for the cost OF t~ranspor-
subsistence and such necessary
no pay IL provided. A PEN
sion would be allowed, however. for In.
received in the line OF duty. Pro-
Is 10 prevail 10 all amps
Provision also is made for a citizen
navy recruited In The same way. Ac-
,ordins TO tho second plan training cen
res would be- established IN or con-
tiguous to every Congressional distric;
and or January !. after the passage OF
he act. all citizens Of ~ years or more
be obliged under penalty TO pre-.
ient themselves for reRistrat ion.