The Washington herald., 1916-04-18
By K. b. JOHNS.

Lieut.. Gen. S. B. n. Young, president
Of the Association for National Service
was advised yesterday that the Illinois
commandery of the Order Of the Loyal
Legion, with headquarters at Chicago.
had unanimously adopted a resolution sp-
viding for universal military training
This makes seven State Communicates
that have gone on record as condemning
the volunteer system and advocating
compulsory military training.
The resolution of the Illinois COM
mandery sets forth that the experience
of our government in securing a sufficient
number OF men to meet the needs of cfr
army in the field in the latter years
of the civil war teaches US to believe that
the volunteer system is inadequate TO
supply a requisite force for the proper
defense of our country. We believe II to
be the plain absolute duty of every
citizen to serve his country in the hour
of need"
The resolution goes on to outline a
Eystem for the registration OF all male
citizens between the ages Of is and 45
by which they shall become automatically
the provisional army of the United States
in the event of war. It asks that the
law be so framed TO provide for the
proper training of such an army OF
citizens under rules and regulations pre-
scrfbed by the War Department
In commenting on the resolutions the
committee of the Illinois commandery
contends that such a policy docs away
in case of war with the sure necessity
of an act of Congress calling for con-
scription, thus obviating a repetition OF
the ignominious acts which ATTENDED
the execution of the law drafting into
the army's service the men needed for
the defense of the nations life in lS62
Such law is in the interests Of economy
and efficiency, in that 1t provides the
army with approximately trained men,
thus economizing their use. 1t does
away with the paying Of large oounues
which were paid in the last two years oil
the civil war. 1t prevents the buying
of substitutes which was so common in
the last two years of the civil war. It
creates a greater and closer democracy,
ingenders a better and more healthful IN
terest in the affairs OF the government
The committee which reported the
amendment was composed Of Walter X
Robbins, c. S. Eldridge. and John 1.
Stockton all of whom are prominent
members of the Loyal Legion and were
distinguished soldiers Of the civil war
With cheering reports of the target
practice and maneuvers OF the feet at
Guantanamo. Vice Admiral Henry T.
Mayo. commander of the battleship
squadron, called upon Secretary of the
Navy Daniels yesterday. Admiral Mayo
declared that the maneuvsrs and target
practice had been the most successful
and satisfactory the fleet has ever held.
'"rhe fleet was never in better condi-
ton" said Admiral Mayo, than 1t Is to-
day. This applies to both the ships and
the men, We secured excellent results at
the extreme range of 1900 yards, which
is an increase over the range of other
exercises that have been conducted by
the fleet. The maneuvers were, on plans
which developed some new ideas and
which in the opinion of the officers.
greatly increased the efficiency Of the
feet.
'eThe accidents TO three guns of the
feet have been unduly magnified by the
daily press Such accidents have oc-
Cured in the past frequently in rapid
firing and will probably occur in the
future"
Working on its present schedule. the
House Committee on Naval Affairs will
report out a bill on May /. The subcom-
mittee is now holding daily sessions and
Is going over every item Of what viii
probably be the most complicated and
largest naval appropriation bill that has
ever come from the committee.
Aside from the building program. there
are number OF new legislative pro-
visions under consideration. Some of the
members are of the opinion that the per-
sonnel legislation should be handled in
the appropriation bill. although this mat
ter has not been presented TO the comi
nnittee. During the hearings the commit
tee took personnel legislation under con-