El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-02-03


UNIVERSAL training does not
mean that every man would have
- 10 serve with the army two years
or any other given length Of time. but
IL should mean that every young man,
even though not drawn for the colors.
would have to take certain amount OF
military training.
essarv prerequisite to effective war
time armies Whether the Swiss or
the Australian system be adopted. or
whether the regular army, supported
bv the continental army, rs TO he the
mainstay. voluntary recruiting should
be abandoned without delay as a rene
Of military inefftciency- The demon
stration actually taking place before
our eyes of the military efficiency OF
those nations where universal service
is enforced, IS compared win lhOSe
that have adhered 10 the system of vol
untary eulistments, is so convincing
that comment would seem unnecessary.
Even though voluntary recruits do
pour in at the eleventh hour, they are
not vet soldiers: the training is not
there. the organization is not there,
and neither can be eXtemporized.
with unframed officers coaching UNI
trained men you have the blind leading
the blind
The time necessary thus to trans
form the unleavened mass into even
fair military force. is more than
not make dependable. modern soldiers.
Under a system OF compulsory ser
vice the whole number Of men to be
come eligible each year would be
greater than required for active ser
vice in the army. but selections could
be easily determined by lot. Those not
drawn FOR service with the colors would
he given enough training to teach
them the meaning Of discipline and
make them familiar with the princl-
pies Of marching, camping and shoot
They would all be subject to call in
case OF war and the question as to
whether they were needed at the front
would not be left to the judgment or
personal inclination or the individual
The humiliating spectacle of expend-
ing time and effort after war begins
In appealing through the press and
platform directly to the people 20 sup
port the government would not have to
be repeated Each man would expect
to do his part
Men called out for service during
war require at least a year Of drill be-
fore they are familiar with what the
modern soldier must know The de-
mands OF modern war upon the lndl-
vidual are greater than ever before
and only the thoroughly trained and
tried soldier is able to stand the strain.
In the civil war troops were con-
fTonted by equally unframed levies, but
iu a war with a first class power we
should not have such good fortune
All other progressive nations strive
for military preparedness. fully realiz-
ing that neglect In this regard means
the eventual loss Of national position
and prestige.
Unless we prepare now by recurring
military training Of every young man.
the story Of our next war will probably
be a repetition of the story Of Belgium
or Servia.
Effect on Citizenship.
As is well known, there is I'm this
country much laxity in the matter ~
home discipline and consequently very
little respect for authority anywhere.
In some sections the people are a law
unto themselves and crime is prevalent
IN many places
To overcome this condition some
thing should be done to instill the ideas
Of discipline in the minds Of boys and
young men.
There is no better plan than to pre-
scribe q period of strict military con-
troll and training. Nothing would go
further to reduce the number Of Grim
finals and curb lawlessness I'm general
Military training inspires respect for
constituted authority. il demonstrates
the necessity for obedience TO law and
makes better and more useful citizens.
ANY man who has had a course OF mill