Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-12-29
CONTEST IN CONGRESS OVER
UNIVERSAL MILITARY TRAIN
ING is ASSURED.
PLAN IS GAINING SUPPORT
Its Essential Democracy and Appar-
ent Failure of the New Militia Sys-
tenn in Its Favor-opponents Many
and Determined.
Rv GEORGE CLINTON.


there will be a contest in congress on
the subject of universal military train
ing. The proponents of the plan urge
that every young American prior to
reaching the age of twenty-one shall
serve one year with the colors as
means of training and to the end OF
preparedness for defense.
The chief of the general staff of the
United States army in his report,
which has just been issued, virtually
urges universal military service IN the
form outlined. He declares that there
is no reason why one mothers son
should bear the burden Of another
mothers son equally able to bear it.
The plea is for the democracy of the
plan, inasmuch as it's advocates say it
would put the son of millionaire
under the shelter tent in the field with
the son of a laborer, and that such
i companionship makes for a real ma
tional spirit and for real democracy.
There is the strongest kind of oppo-
sition among certain elements in con-
gress and in the country to universal
military training. The friends of the
plan say, however, that recruits for
their cause rapidly are being won from
the ranks of the opposition. They de-
clare that more than anything else the
democracy Of the scheme is winning
them recruits for their cause.
Why Guardsmen Refused Oath.
It is useless to deny, members say.
that what many congressman say is
the failure of the militia system and
the failure of the attempt to secure
enough recruits for the regular army
by the volunteer system are respon-
sible for the seeming change of mind
by part of the public toward the
plan for universal training. The Ma
tional Guardsmen did fine work and
responded CALAMITY to the call for
service, but on the return of many of
them to their homes they declined to
take the oath which would bind them
to the federal service for a long period.
1t is said in army circles that there
are reasons for this which do net in
any way reflect on the patriotism OF
the members of the Guard.
It seems that the Guardsmen, after
serving on the border, for many of
them so declare, realized that they
were giving up their business pursuits,
and some of them their families. and
making sacrifices while vast ma
jority of men in their own condition Of
life were not called upon to make any
sacrifice at ALL The Guardsmen
urged the inequalities in the distribu-
ton of the burdens of service.
So far as the United States regular
army is concerned, the law now fixes
It's strength at about 100000 men. OF
course, enlistments are voluntary and
up to the present time it has been
possible to secure only about 10000
men ready to enlist under the flag and
serve the allotted time. Recruiting Of
fcers are said to be respondent over
the outlook.
These are the things which are max
ing universal military training the
sharp subject of interest and debate
In Washington. 1t is more than ru-
mored that high officials Of the gov
eminent are beginning to lean toward
the universal service plan, thinking
that it is the only way in which the
country adequately can prepare itself,
that it is the only equitable way of
doing. things as long as military service
is necessary, and, moreover, because
it is so essentially democratic.
Many Congresses in Capital.
Washington is the city of con-
gress and of many congresses. This
winter there will be something like
fifteen big meetings which will be at
tended by men from all parts of the
country and to which are given the
name of congresses by their promoters.
Several of these congresses already
have been held, and others are to come
along one after another in rapid sue
cession. The object of every one of
them is something which the delegates
insist will be for the great benefit of
the American people. There are those,
of course, who hold that some of the
congresses are for the detriment of the
American people, for in politics there
is always room for difference of opin-
ion, room which generally is pretty
well occupied.
Already in this city there has been
held the great rivers and harbors con-
gress for the purpose of suggesting
legislation to improve the waterways
of the land. There are men who are
inclined 70 say that the rivers and
harbors congress meets to promote
''pork barrel" legislation. This the del
egates to the congress and the men
who carry on it's propaganda through
out the year deny explicitly, and some
times almost profanely, but the fact re-
mains that the rivers and harbors ques-
ton today gives the congress of the
United States and the people of the
country subject for the bitterest kind
of discussion.
The National Civic association is just
closing it's congress. One of the OBJ