New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-05
Military Training Which Begins in Kin.
dersarten Makes Every Citizen
an Efficient Soldier.

throughout the country and with what il
terms the injustice Of the volunteer sys-
tenn:
Congressman W. L. Humphrey. OF Seattle.
went 10 the heart Of the defence problem
when he declared that this country does not
want large standing army, but there ought
10 be some system installed. similar to the
Swiss system. by which our young men would
be taught 20 handle rifles and also taught the
clements of sanitation
ut is deeply to be regretted that President
Wilson has not graspcd this problem in broad
comprehension or. If he has grssped IT, lacks
the resolution 10 tackle 10 with needed ygor
and courage
AT best the Administration programme
IS OF doubtful feasibility. Our highest mill
tary authorities fear II. and national guard
Leaders are against II.
"1hc prevailing judgment Of its members
IS against the Administration programme.
They fear that the proposed continental
army would undermine the existing militia
system of the nation and later break down
itself. thus leaving the country with less pre-
paredncss than ever
The chief defect IN the volunteer system
is IT'S constant unknown quantity. IL is like
an arroyo course OF the desert swollen az
rare intervals 20 torrentis volume. only 20
run dry after brief period OF food action.
Nth long drouth when its supply is most
needed
The Administration plan depends on
volunteer response that will be large and
continuous. With each recurring year per
petuslly. $4,000 new recruits must come vol
unfairly forward to make it success
"No plan Of adequate national defence it
seems certain. can ever be built on uncer-
tsintics ike that The Administrations plan
is neither dependable nor Just. As Congress
man Humphrey we'll says: II IS not fair
for the courageous to 90 forth to death while
the towards stay at nome and are saved
THE volunteer method is shamefully IN
, just. In moments Of great national peril pub
lie sentiment. keyed up to grateful appre-
citation. goes into a frenzy Of hero worship.
The boys who volunteer become objects OF
alteration and march away 70 their country's
bloody work with the youthful deluson that
the passing wave Of public admiration will
roll OF forever.
! But all history teaches that nothing is
more inconstant than public gratitude for it's
defenders. When the lighting is over new
interests arise, old emotions subside and the
youth who stayed a. home in ease and safety
finds that his social status is substantially
as high as that OF the volunteer and his ma
terisl progress APP; TO be considerably better.
/ THE Swiss system is free from that In
justice. It trains every youth in ways that
are beneficial to the boy and strengthening
! 10 the nation. When strikes the hour of ma
tona peril there is 10 discrimination. 10
! favors Only one question is asked. is h
.off . do dut "a no.r hfg rife
and 90 out 70 defend his home. his mother,
/ his sisters or mis- wife against the invader?'
The rich mans son and the poor mans boy
march side by side comrades in common
duty and common purpose.
with such system the United States
would have known, ample and definite re-
serve army The world would know that
! from The ranks Of industry this nation could
call within forty-e ght hours several million
Young men who had been trained 70 handle
rife 70 shoot, to march. 20 obey and be
obeyed. to take care Of themselves i'm camp
and on the firing line.
with such reserve behind the long shore
line where is the nation. however aggressive.
militarstic commercially greedy or diplo-
matically intoerant that would yet have the
reckless spirit TO attempt invasion OF the
United States
Systems influence on Youth.
Dealing with the Swiss system of training
and the need Of an influence to weld to-
gether the various groups OF young men Of
the nation Editor Cowles said. recently:
THE American people do not want German
militarism and army caste. They should de-
/ sire and they do need a system modelled
after the Swiss or the Australian plan. The
/ Swiss system is intensely democratic. In
republic like Switzerland or the United states
the people are the government. and under
the Swiss system Of moderate military train
| ing Of the countrys youth the people con-
stitute the army of national defence. To
suggest the fear that a defensive organic
! ton thus formed could Cypress the people
o. endanger their institutions is equivalent
10 the ridiculous fear that the people might
Cypress themselves. As well said in pam
phlet published By the Navy League. history
has yet 20 show that military power has be-
come an instrument Of evil when controlled
/ by a true democracy ike that Of Switzer
I land or the United States.
/ I'VE need, indeed. the Swiss system 70
strengthen and preserve the spirit Of democ-
racy in the United States. 40 thoughtful
mind can escape the reflection that we arc
drifting here to cliques-that. survey the ma
]
ground of common interest and contac;
where The country's youth may touch elbow
and absorb al other points Of view.
TO bring directly home this thought and
I fact consider the widely scattered interests
OF the young men of Spokane. One group.
/ for instance. is represented in the University
/ Club. Young men assemble there who nave
/ had college course. Their thoughts. their
association. their view Of life. are tinctured
1 b. the college influence.
The interests and activities Of another
group centre around the athletic club; OF
yet another group around the J. VI. {. 4.
Building. Yet another though smaller group
finds interest and activity in the national
guard
This scattering Of interests is not 20 be
decried. but u needs 20 be held In bounds.
A cohesive influence is needed 20 bind ther'
all in one broad. onlghtening, populsrizing
force. Search as we may and strive as
might. we shall not find that bond unless VIC