New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-22
CONFUSION AND THE VOLUNTARY SYSTEM
Dme from Our history oily 0fR
ing Unprpar AanaE megen A
Condhon Citizenship Oppose Compulsory SERVICE

training and an ability 70 take care OF tina.
selves that. aside from any military y,lr.
make them a moral and commercial asa.
for the nation, and the parents would ~,
for a moment go back 20 the old crd., =,
things.
The citizenry trained 20 arms" that Pa
dent Wilson has advocated cannot be e,,i
ze-lry trained TO arms unless all the eit,s,,
are subject 10 training FOR so long as III,
left 10 the will of the individual 20 yolur,ss,
or not 20 volunteer the citizenry as such viii
certainly not be trained. We do not herr,
the voluntary payment Of taxes or the volp,.
tarv serving on juries. No. these are du,i.,
which the citizen has 10 perform as one a,
the obligations OF citizenship Why shovlS
the greater duty and obligation Of national
service for the defence Of our homes. liner
ties ard lives be made voluntary? Our p,o.
ple must be taught that in exchange for priv.
ilege or suffrage or citizenship in an organ.
lied government they have duty TO renSs,
for the defence of that citizenship and gov.
err ment.
With one hundred million inhabitan,, \,
this country and the available male populs.
ton really trained to arms and ready 10
respond 70 the nations call 10 is ineoneeiv.
able that any foreign nation would dare 70
seriously consider an attack upon US. And
aside from such safeguard the result. In
better citizenship, better physical condition
better training for commercial pursuits. N.
reduction of class feeling, the promotion Of
true democracy, the development Of chsraets,
and the habits of promptness, neatness. .el,
control. self-sacrifce. obedience. respect FOR
law and authority because 10 is law and
authority and not because Of the fear Of
being caught would stifen the moral fbr,
of the nation, would reduce rather than
increase the probability Of foreign compli.
cations, because the nation as whole would
then appreciate the seriousness 81 any polley
or course OF action which might lead 70 ,
war which would be felt by every human
nerve in the body polite.
The writer has received letter from Rap
re.entative James Hay. in which he says:
at seems 20 me that We have 10 reeog.
nize that neither this Congre. nor the
people are willing for compulsory mill.
tsry service in this country. Such being
the case, we must do the best We can
with the voluntary system"
Apparently il is true that the present Con-
gress is not ready for compulsory military
service, but believe that the people are, a.
wrote Mr.. Hay; and believe that " tn.
Tribune-a recognized leader Of patriotic
thought. and which itself advocates. as on,
derstand il. this system would mako a can.
vass or ask for vote 70 find out the wishes
Of the people or even a section OF the peopl.
the reply, while doubtless not unanimou,
would show an overwhelming scque,cence IA
the principle.
Our experts in the army say that We will
have 10 come 10 this some day. Better 20
come 70 il before we are so beaten that Il !,
a last resort Universal service for our IA.
ton is better than universal seryitude to
another nation. JOHN ". L0YELAND
New York, March rs, 1916