Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-10-07

Europe and developments in connection herewith served
to emphasize the idea that while this nation should under
take nothing approaching mitarism, should not be
caught wholly unprepared by sudden contingency such
has just confronted various European powers.
The military spirit has always been pronounced in the
Green Mountain State From the days Of the fathers to the
present time the of Vermont have been found at
the fore front in strife requiring service and bravery
in the of To-day the days OF the Clv war
Vermont stand ready help defend the nation though
they deprecate
is accident that the little commonwealth OF Ver-
should be the only State in the Union to have two in
sutions among the thirteen in the distinguished class
giving military instruction. President Benton IN his ADDRESS
at the opening of the at the university showed Nor
witch University ranking next to West Point had long been
in this class and that the University of Vermont had right
to be proud rank the estimation of the department
of the United States with the great Universities OF Cafor
na Wisconsin, Missouri Cornell University and other insti
buttons of practically unlimited The University
Of Vermonts military department has this furnished
military to other colleges result of Cap
tain Reeves excellent service and there is to
expect the high standing of the department will be pro-
noted under the administration of Captain Howard the
newly detailed United States army officer to have charge
of the work.
Another fact not generally known, which has peculiar
significance in this time of advanced sanitation and atten
ton health every direction is that the College of Med
cine of the University of Vermont the first the
Morrill, land grant institutions to establish hospital corps
it is known at this time sanitation troop The Ger
who have shown superiority directions have
and careful treatment is possible to the return
to the ranks of thousands of wounded soldiers who in
former would have been invaded during the balance of
the struggle If present methods Of military sanitation had
been in force during the Spanish American is certain
that many of the Vermont boys who south would
not have fallen victims to typhoid fever and other disease
1t is fitting that the university having the close per-
sona afaton and attention of Senator Morrill, the found
the college land grant, which has been the basis of
of the educational institutions of the land
curing military instruction in the curriculum, should lead
in this application of medical and surgical science and skill to
the nations military department. In especially the
health and efficiency of the whole United States army depend
this service.
1t is not too much to hope and expect that when the
nation takes the control and maintenance of the Ma
ona Guard militia it must in the interest of military
efficiency and national preparedness it will recognize the
necessity also of appropriation for the training in the Col
ege of Medicine and other medical departments connected
with the land grant colleges of physicians and
making speciality of military service in both and field
well in the hospital part Of the required military
training.
In the distant future College Medicine at the
University of Vermont like the College of Agriculture
must expect to be ready perform special service in return
for financial support from the government of the United
General Tlotson and COL johnson and Captain Reeves
and others in the of their speeches the meeting of
the Burlington Merchants association showed that the
young of Vermont doing we'll their in the matter
of preparedness The States per capita support of the Ma
tona Guard regards number of and financial aid for
the militia places her in the forefront of States The
grade of who joining the ranks constantly getting
higher and the is of the gratifying character
One of the obstacles encountered by the militia in many
States is the refusal of employers allow employees par
tcpate in the encampmens and drills Captain Bond, the
regular army officer detailed for service Inspector and
States.
instructor with the Vermont National Guard showed that
in Ohio employer prosecuted under the national
sution for dscharging employee for joining the militia
and fined 500.
Happily there is little Of this spirit in Vermont. The
international Paper company and the Central Vermont rail-
road company given special credit for the in
which they had promoted the participation of their employees
in the Employers in general readily cooperat
ing in this work. and the meetings instituted will help to
impress upon the public the need of backing for the National
Guard.
After all is said and DONE however, regards the Ma
ona Guard a factor in military preparedness,
State and nation must face the fact that first need
preparedness the water and naval militia to lead to
that branch of the service We would be attacked by the
before being attacked land but matter of stern
reality far weaker proporonately in in the navy
than in our land forces.
We talk about the need of greater navy but sad to say