The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-10-01
Hon Australia Dealt
With Same Military
Problem Facing u. S,
Defense Act Which Went Into Effect in 1911 Recog-
nized the Principle of Universal Liability to
Service in Time of Peace for Training.

(This Is the first of a series OF three
articles on 1.-THE Australian Military
System" written by Capt. Granville
Fortesaue for the Association for Ma
tionai Service.)
Copyright, 1915. by the John c. Winston
Company
The military system that has stood
the test OF war to the greatest advan-
tage Is that inaugurated by Australia.
1t grew out Of an experiment. and as
the circumstances OF this growth and
development seem almost to parallel
conditions that exist In the United
States. II would be well for all Ameri-
Australian plan OF preparedness.
The problem 'of defense In Australia
is in many ways Identical with that of
the United States. In the island COM
monwealth a constitution exists model
ed on the lines Of that governing the
Union. National development In the
antipodes has, In some degree. followed
from the inception of the common
wealth. the question OF defense has been
In the minds OF the people and their
chosen or appointed administrators.
The circumstances governing the pres
unto those that prevail in the United
states. Australia originally depended
for defense upon n regular establish
ment. small In number. and n force OF
militia. These were supplemented by
rine associations OF ,problematic value.
and by school battalions. In the mill
tary evolution OF the country the lat
ter have been a vital factor.
Australia Self-reliant.
Previous to the establishment OF the
commonwealth. Australia depended
upon Great Britain for the necessary
measures OF protection. It would seem
to have been the policy of past English
administrators to foster this state OF
dependence. under the opinion that such
action REINFORCED loyalty to the moth
erland. Today all this is changed. Aus
tralia Is self-governing and self-reliant.
While strong In Its devotion to Britain.
as shown by the enormous sacrifices
made In the present war. the common
wealth has cut the leading strings and
now works out Its destiny unaided.
The defense act of 1903-l909 of Aus
tralia was the first law passed in any
nlzed the principle of universal liability
OF citizens to military training In time OF
peace. The Introduction OF the statute
met with hearty approval. Its provisions
went into effect In 1911 and since that
date Australia has steadily advanced in
ture OF the system is the little time ac-
tually devoted to training, compared to
the excellent results attained. The
worth Of the Australian militiamen has
stood the acid test of war. In no field
OF the world-hghting did soldiers OF
whatever nationality show higher mill
tary qualities than possessed by the
Australian corps which fought 80 long
and determlnedly In Gallipoli. A system
achieving these splendid results In such
a short time merits close study by all
interested In the question OF citizen sol
diery.
Jealous of His Rights.
After the Australian Parliament
passed the defense act. It Immediately
invited Lord Kitchener to visit the
island, examine local conditions and
make recommendation This business.
like proceeding produced a militia or
ganization which stands as n model "a
the world. The results are all the more
noteworthy when we consider that the
Australian Is. II possible. more lndivid-
ualistic than the American. IL has been
proved that there Is nothing baslcally
nntagonistic between submitting IA
necessary military training and enjoying