The Washington herald., 1915-07-25

Reflected in the utterances Of leaders
of thought in all parties during the past
week has been wave of public senti-
ment in favor of some national defense
legisla ton at the approaching session of
Congress Among the most notable fea-
lures have been those by Theodore Roose-
welt, former President. and Speaker
Clark, of the House.
Col. Roosevelt not only turned his
heavy guns with fearful effect against
the peace-at-any-price advocates. but
proposed compulsory military training
modelled after the Swiss military policy
as solution of the question of national
defense. There has been notable
growth OF the sentiment of the country
in favor of the abandonment of the vol
untary military policy of this country
and the Inauguration of some universal
military training scheme. Former Presi-
dent Roosevelt who has had his ear to
the ground, has heard the rumblings and
with his characteristic aggressiveness has
voiced this sentiment.
II Is tiihi tiAC SchSioi SSoh -
the Army is unanimously in favor of
some system like that which is main
tanned by Switzerland. But the General
Stan, as we'll as the Secretary of War.
is a part of the national administration.
and it is doubtful whether it would take
such an advanced position without any
direction from the White House. If the
President were to ask, through the Sec
rotary of War. the direct question as to
whether this country should adopt sys-
TEN of compulsory military training. he
would receive an affirmative answer.
The army at large has held for some
time the belief that a sufficient body OF
trained reserves cannot be secured by a
volunteer system, but realizes that 1t
was too radical a doctrine to preach
until the country had been taught cost
" lesson through war with one of the
great powers. There are indications now
that the European war is teaching the
country this lesson. and it may not be
necessary, in the opinion OF the members
OF the General Staff, for the country to
SuDITfh 10 tciSiS ~
comes to a full realization of the fallacies
and the dangers of the volunteer sys-
tenn.
Speaker Clark's utterances represent
as radical a change in the sentiments
of the country as those of Col
Roosevelt. Although the Speaker has
not been a ''peace-at states
man. he never has given much sup
port to increases for the army and
navy. On a number of occasions he
has opposed the two ba ttleship pro-
gram, and has generally voted against
any increase for the army. But in his
Liberty Bell speech at San Francisco,
the Speaker came out for a stronger
army and navy. He advocated dou-
bling the number of cadets at West
Evidently the Speaker has been giving
serious thought to the lessons of the
European war as the weakness OF
Engla nd's military policy has been the
lack of officers. 1t is recognized by
the general staff that before a reserve
army can De CTedleu uHutT any sys
tenn this country must take some
steps to secure additional officers with
which to train citizen soldiers.
Last session. Secretary Garrison ask
ed for a thousand additional officers,
hut Congress paid no attention to his
recommendation. Speaker Clark's dec
larations indicate that there has been
a radical change in the sentiment in
Congress and that even a larger in
crease in the number of officers may
be authorized at the next session
The Speaker advocated the use of
army officers in training the National
Guard and instructing college stu
dents. which is in line with the policy
of the War Department The utter
ances of Col. Roosevelt and the
Speaker are regarded as significant.
as both are in touch with the senti-
ments of the country.