South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-20
BAKER FOR SOME
SORT Of SERVICE
War Secretary Says Question
of Preparedness is Not
One of Theory.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 90. - The
agitation for some form of compul-
sorry military service in the United
States received qualified support
from Sec'y Baker Tuesday before
the house military committee, en-
couraging opponents of the present
, volunteer system to predict that leg
! islatiOn for change might be
framed which would be sanctioned
by Mr.. Baker and possibly by Pres
Wilson himself The president has
SAID he would not attempt TO reach
a decision on the subject until def
mite plan was placed before him.
Replying 20 a direct question as
to his views on compulsory military
service, Sec'y Baker said:
The obligation TO serve the coun-
try is a universal one. The question
of how TO bring about preparation
for national defense is one OF policy
rather than theory. Whether uni
versal service or a selective con-
scription is the correct answer, I do
not know The theory of a common
| interest in a common country would
be satisfied by a method of selecting
/ soldiers that was not voluntary in
character"
Defends Guard System.
The secretary told the committee,
/ however, that since congress had re-
/ jected the continental army plan in
] favor of the national guard system,
! he believed the guard should be Civ
en- a fair trial. He inclined TO the
view that regiments returning from
/ the border would be held together
| by the experience through which
they had passed and that officers
and men of the right sort would be
inspired by the knowledge they had
gained to work for greater etic-
iency.
He did not amplify his suggestion
in regard TO selective CONSUMPTION.
1t is known, however. that he has
been studying the question of the
proper basis of the military service,
since the recommendation of the
general staff for the universal ser
vice legislation were submitted. II
is understood the plan under con-
sideration contemplates the making
Of an inventory of men in the cOun-
try. as is being done with industrial
resources and devising a means
whereby every citizen would be
made liable in war emergency for
the character Of work for which he
is best fitted by his peace time train
ing.
scott Urges Universal Service.
In the near future Mr.. Baker will
appear before the senate sub-com-
mittee which is hearing the opinions
of army officials and others on the
Chamberlain universal training bill.
Maj. Gen. Hugh l.. Scott, chief OF
staff. was again before the sub-com-
mittee Tuesday urging universal
! service legislation and submitting
the report on the mobilization of the
national guard for border duty COM
piled by Col. W. c. Brown from all
! information available at the war de-
partment.
The conclus' On of the general
staff. Gen. Scout said that no ade-
quate defense could be built up UNI
der the present volunteer system,
was fully substantiated by the re-
| ports or departmental commanders,
| inspector-instructOr and others,
including Col. Browns compilation
and which disclosed vital and inner
ent faults in the national guard sys-
tenn which could not be passed over
Col. Brown Tells of Hardships.
Col. Brown who commanded the
10th cavalry under Gen. Pershine
/ and led the detachment which dealt
the most severe punishment to the
villa bandits. was before the com
mittee himself and told of the hard
F, ships the troops in Mexico encOun-
/ tered. of the forced marches and
\ terrific pace set, adding that only
n thoroughly trained men and ami
mails could have stood the strain.
Sen. Lee of Maryland, who is MOI
a member of the committee, but
who champiOned the cause of the
national guard during debates OF
the national defense act. sought tC
cross examine Col. Brown, but wa.
stopped b. Chairman Chamber
lain.