Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-10

II
take such training if the laws govern
ing admission to civil service positions
under the government should be so
amended that preference be given
among applicants under the age of
forty five years to such persons as
prior to the filing of their application
for position have taken at least one
months training annually in camps es-
tablished by the government for mill
tary instruction.
Favors Strong Navy.
In his letter to the state adjutant
general Senator Salisbury says:
Il have recently given much thought
to the matter of military preparedness
in this country. l believe every one
with any degree of responsibility in
seeing that our country is not defense
less should do this, and l nave hoped
that some way could be found by which
large standing armies might be avoid
ed and our country, nevertheless. have
4 sufficient number of trained, or par
TALLY trained, men to resist attack
which might come from any quarter.
"As 1 expressed myself publicly. be-
lieve in a strong navy. as strong as Is
necessary, reasonably to assure us
against any oversee attack feel
however. that we may. by reasonable
avoid any idea of militarism in this
country, and it has occurred to me
that those of us who individually will
probably not for any reason be avail
able for military duty. should show
our willingness to do what we can to
further and encourage the training of
sufficient men to answer all our ma
tional necessities.
II imagine there are many young
men who would be very willing to &C
lyV,O 1n INYn
serve the country in case of attack. who
may be unable to provide themselves
with uniform and equipment and give
the time required to render them MT
when called for military service 1t
has lust occurred to me II those of US
who cannot for any cause go to train
ing camps would encourage this spirit
in younger men by showing our Will
ingness to provide all suitable equip
ment and to some extent the malnte-
nance Of such young fellows who are
willing to take military training, but
who cannot from pecuniary embarrass-
ments to which they would De SUBJECT
ed. it might greatly assist In encour-
and thus avoid any necessity for a large
standing army.
Ready to Make Good.
with this in mind. write to say
that 1 should personally be very glad
to fully provide uniform. arms and
equipment for any young man who will
Join one 81 our volunteer Companies
and take, say, a months training each
year for three years at an encampment
directed by qualified officers during
such training / would SO contrioute
that such volunteer consctentiousiy
performing his duties might be paid
one-half whatever wages or salary ne
Is accustomed to get .tn his ORDINARY
occupation. l make this one-hali pay
because / think such volunteer shoulo
be willing himself to make sacrince OF
to take his vacation II he can IN this
fashion. My belief is that II plan OF
this sort Is started 1t will meet the ap-
prevail of SO large a number OF per
sons situated like myself to produce a
sufficiently large number OF young men
who will be glad to avail themselves
of a chance to serve their country In
the liberty of sending q copy OF this
letter to the heads of our so-called pa.
triotic societies in Delaware. to most OF
, which l belong. and suggest that this
! is a way in which the members OF
these patriotic societies can make
themselves useful in encouraging pa
triotism in our country and furnishing
sufficient means of defense in case OF
need.
81 have spoken OF this idea to several
| of my friends, who have taken or have
desired to take training in the camps
which the government has established
this year. and 1t has met with approval
each time l suggested 1t. II you think
we'll of 1t you may call on me at any
time to make good my proposal herein
and give ssuch publicity to the plan al
you think proper"