El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-02-17

1ur navy to remain. It ought to move
up to the top OF be an unquestioned
second. A poor navy for nation ike ,
Ours is worse than none and is an eX-
travagance that ought not TO be in
dulged.
"a well equipped. mobile army force
Of at least 100000 men is needed. with
an additional force of at least 100000
trained reserves that could be mobil-
lied within 10 days Back OF these. 20
conduct a war, there must be at least
.. 600. 900 men, trained, Differed. organ
ized equipped and ready for call with
in 20 DAYS. These are the very least
numbers mat should be considered.
The nati1n has too much at stake to
take chances IT is high time for plain
talk and practical performance.
War and Peace.
1.-THE risks of war are ten times as
hazardous as fire risks, and, although
the average man insures against fire,
ne gives little thought to national in
sura noe against war. During the life
Of this republic we have mad 20 years
of war, including the Florida war, and
not counting the indian wars and other
internal disturbances. That is to say.
we have had one year of war for ev-
erv five years Of peace during the
time of our national existence.
Exhaustion By War.
at has been argued that nations en-
gagged in the present European war
will be so exhausted in the end that
war The history of nations, including
our own, does not bear out any such
theory" said Gen. Pershing. when
this country emerged from the civil
war. it was for the only time in its
history prepared for war and was then
without doubt the strongest military
nation in the world At the end of the
present war, the nations involved will
no doubt be stronger from a military
standpoint than ever before"
Universal Trimming.
"To raise the army proposed for the
United States we shall be compelled to
adopt some system of universal mill
tary training. 1t would be wise to
place such a law on the statute books
even though il should not be considered
necessary to put it into force at this
time This law could then be invoked
in time of war without further Iegis-
lation and much valuable time could
be saved.
ct would he difficult to imagine any
discipline that would be of greater
value, not only to the individual, but
to the Industrial political and military
! future of this country, than to provide
for the one million young men reach
ing IS years OF age annually, five or
six months Of consecutive military
training under some such system as
that followed in the conduct of our
summer encampments for citizens.
when We speak Of universal mill
tary training a few little Americans
rise up and parade the specter of mill
tarism. There is no militarism in
Switzerland, Australia or New Zealand
and yet universal military training is
compulsory in these countries The
surest way to avoid militarism is to
give every man military training. That
is the safeguard Of individual rights.
If all citizens are trained in military
/ tactics, they are at once on an equal
footing and there is no such thing pos
sible as military caste.
Folly OF Neglect.
1T Is far better to adopt in time Of
peace universal training, with service
by lot. than to have general conscrip-
ton forced upon you, perhaps too late,
by the fear Of national failure in war.
The folly of neglecting military train
ing is without doubt the regret Of
more than one nation in Europe today"
a rising vote Of thanks was given
Gen. Pershing at the conclusion of his
address by the club members
The Club Program.
Preceding the address Of Gen.
| Pershing the regular program of the
| literature and current events depart
ment was held. Mrs. W l. Crockett
presided Mrs. NJ Nagle read the
secretary's minutes. Mrs o. A. Critchett
gave the history Of the career Of the
-
Mrs. Richard Warren spoke on the
, character of Vashtl in comparison with
| Esther. Mrs. r. c. Phillips read an
extract from a poem by James Russell
Lowell, Under the Fins" which was
read on the Tooth anniversary of Wash
ingtons assuming command of the
continental army and was in comment
Grafton of Washington's birthday. In
CommemoratiOn OF the anniversary of
Lincoln's birthday. Mrs. Phillips read
Edwin Marllhams poem on Lincoln
The Goth infantry band. which was
present through the courtesy Of Col
Alfred Hasbrouck. and Capt John T.
ANton. chaplain Of the regiment. played
a selection during the program
Quantities Of American flags were
draped about the rostrum, giving a
patriotic setting Tor zen. Pershing's
talk. The meeting was very largely
attended. Miss Theo Patterson at the
piano and Edward G. Sheibley at the
violin played Beethoyen's minuet and
n serenade.