The Washington herald., 1916-12-30
Army and Navy News
Best Service Column In City.

An army OF 100000 men will be pro-
vlded for the United States under the
terms of the universal service bill now
being drafted by a committee Of the
Army General STAFF. which has closely
followed the Argentine military system
in framing the measure
The legislation is designed with a view
OF keeping 100000 men under training.
with $780, 900 trained reservists subject to
call In case Of necessity.
There is no indication that the proposed
bill will receive the Endorsement Of Presi-
dent Wilson, and Secretary Of War
Baker has not said whether he will ap-
prove or disapprove the measure. 1t
probably will be at least three weeks be-
fore the bill, with its accompanying
estimate of costs. is ready for the Sec
retary of War. The chairman Of the
House Military Committee has asked to
see the bill, and II will be sent to the
Capitol for the committees information.
The main feature of the stan bill will
be its provision for one year of intensive
military instruction for all youths sub
Ject to its terms. 1t Is expected that cx-
ceptions, due to physical disqualifcations
and for other reasons, including persons
employed in plants necessary in war
times. would leave available for military
training between 450 900 and 100000 youths
who reach the age OF IS each year.
In fixing upon a year as the minimum:
time for training. the General Staff was
said to have followed the theory that
the geographical position OF the United
States necessitated only the provision for
an army of defense.
College Athletics as Related to Ma
tional Preparedness" was the theme of
an address by Maj. Palmer E Pierce,
U. S. A, now stationed at Leavenworth,
Kan, at a recent session in New York
City Of educators interested in college
sports.
Compulsory physical training shoulc
be introduced into all OF our institutions
of learning" he said. ct mean by this,
not course of training that is confined
to any particular class in these institu-
tions, nor to a certain specified number
of periods that may be covered In q very
short time. but a course that extends
throughout the entire curriculum and is
serious enough to be rated among the
most important subjects taught.
Here, In my opinion, Is a very favor
able field for the National ColleRiate
Athletic Association, a field that can be
controlled and made profitable because It
comes under the Jurisdiction Of the
faculties.
How necessary some such step has be-
at Plattsburg last summer, where I hau
charge OF $500 college students. The
sight these young men presented when
stripped for work was to use the ex-
preston Of an army officer of very high
rank, pathetic and spoke volumes OF
the methods employed in our colleges to
train the bodies of our students, IL any
are employed
That this side OF the training Of our
young men has been very much neglected
by those to whom their education has
been entrusted has long been known; that
II has been neglected to the extent exem-
plified by the representatives coming un-
der my observation at Plattsburg was
however, a revelation. and yet these
young men were drawn from institutions
that rank athletically-if turning out sue
cessful teams be considered a criterion
second to none.
The National Collegiate Athletic As
sociation IL educating the people Of the
prevalent among the Greeks during the
best days of the Olympiads. When this
spirit Is thoroughly appreciated we will
become lovers OF the outdoor life and not
so much spectators OF games as partIci-
pants The effect upon the public health
and morals should be OF great value.
"AB consequence. II Is believed the
nation will increase its mass OF citizens
it to bear arms and imbued with the
spirit that prevailed in ancient Grece
and that permeates Switzerland today"