The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-13
BOY SCOUTS DUTY
TO Be PATRIOTIC
Roosevelt Says Nations Youth
Should BE Prepared to De-
fcnd Country.
TAKE MILITARY TRAINING

The Eoy Scouts Of America. baked
In their effort 70 raise 100000 last
week, will meet to-day to consider con-
tinuing the campaign until il IL finally
successful. Almost $4,000 has been
raised 70 far. exclusive of pledges
These and the o raised Saturday
and yesterday are expected 10 bring
the total up to about half OF the sum
desired.
Col. Theodore Roosevelt has written
to CHIEF Scout James T.. West a letter
OF approval OF the BOY Scouts In 1t
he discusses preparedness for boys. The
Boy Scouts organization Is not mill
tary. nor is It ~anti-fnilitar; /: 1t leaves
to its members freedom of thought and
action In this regard and endeavors to
promote the development OF character
and efficiency Of boys. Col. Roosevelt
says in part:
II wish you all success In the effort
TO raise $500. 900 for the Boy Scouts OF
America. 7 would have hesitated to do
this II ven had not made clear thar
the Boy Scouts must be prepared and
are being prepared in such fashion AS
10 TT them not only to be good citizens
in time of peace but ready for supple
~ itN othh 49, 500"
make them able to render efficient SER
vice to the nation In time Of war.
Events of the past year in Europe
have shown that the possession by q
nation of all the virtues OF peace Will
avail Il literally nothing unless Il has
also the stern m rugged qualities that
will enable 1t to hold It's own when
menace by war and finally unless u
has SO raine itself. so prepared Itself
IL, IL yaz sl,at thasA xslt.a az sntt1
and the corresponding qualities of body
Will be available for immediate use II
the nations vital honor or vital inter-
ests are assailed.
In "A democracy no mai has any right
to escap, military training and II neces-
sary military service any more than he
has the right 10 escape the payment al
taxes. ore obligation should 10 more
Ice treated as voluntary than the other
1T Il not open To- the right thinking
hoy or man to decide whether he will
volunteer 10 be patriotic or volunteer 10
have somebody else oe patriotic Tor him
It Is his duty 10 be patriotic. Primarily
he mast show his patriotism by his ser
vice to the nation In time Of peace but
In time OF war he owes a soldiers duty
10 the nation.
Tho Boy Scouts. like all the other
boys OF the country. should get into their
heads clearly the idea that a true
democracy Involves not only manhood
suffrage but also manhood obligations
and service in time OF need and that q
man who admits his obligation and
makes no adequate props ration 10 dis
charge II is a poor citizen.
"Of course there can I've no adequate
preparedness for war unless there is pre-.
plredness for the duties of peace. jus,
exactly as 1t - useless 70 prepare for the
duties Of peace unless We prepare also IL
defend ourselves.
AS the Boy Scout develops in body
and SOU he must learn not only himsol'
TO treat others wei. but TO be able 10 in.
terfers to prevent injustice by the strong
against tho cal These two sets %
qualities are Indispensable in private Ifc
aud they are 70 less Indispensable in
national and International life