New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-11
NATIONAL SERVICE
EngIan Warning the Need of Universal Compulsory Military
Training-Lord Roberts, Prediction
Bv COSMO HAMILTON

IN tho uso Of the rife, and the establishment
OF an officers training corps in every uni
yersity.
Consider briefly some Of the advantages OF
such universal compulsory training; IL
would in a few years supply you with that
number Of efficient trained men which ex-
perts declare 70 be essential TO your nation
al safety. II would not only insure adequate
length OF training which no volunteer or
militia system has dared, or can dare, 10 de-
rnand; il would have an immense ethical as
we'll as practical value, for II would not al
low the coward and the shrker, who, under
the voluntary system, refuse to do the'i
duty. 10 90 free at the expense OF the uh-
selfish and patriotic citizen. IL must not be
forgotten that, under your present system
as under the system which prevailed IN Eng
land at the outbreak Of the war, those VINO
have done their duty will have to give up
their situations and less patriotic men will
Immediately step into their shoes and re-
ceive their salaries, while they themselves
will have 10 live and keep their families on
4 soldiers pay and allowances. Nor is u
)nly the employe who will suffer; the patti
)tic employer who has offered facilities for
military training to his staff will be left
short-handed, while his less public-spirlted
rival will catch all his trade.
The advantages 10 the physique, morale
and industrial efficiency which universal
training always insures are obvious Train
ing will teach every man that he stands for
something that he is in very truth part and
parcel of his nation. Every man would
learn, in Kpling's words, Claw, order, duty
and restraint, obedience, discipline" Those
who watched the It'll Regiment marching
home the other day know how true these
words are Last, but not least, your indus
trial efficiency would be largely increased,
and so on this important account also uni
versal training would be an asset TO the ma
ton, for the old adage stih holds good that
"rhe worth Of anything
Is Just q. much az it will bring"
I will quote from speech delivered by
Lord Roberts in the British House Of Com
mons as far back as 1909, and perhaps the
prophetic words Of that great old patriot,
70 which body OF foolish and ignoble poll
ticans refused to listen, will be read with a
sense OF shock by those people Of this coun-
try who pass through their days in self
complacent satisfaction and an utterly false
sense Of security:
81 can understand the general public turn
ing deaf ear to warnings that are dintaste-
ful to them. They are for the most part SO
fully occupied with their own affairs and
their individual struggles for existence that
they do not trouble themselves much as TO
what is going on in the outside world, but
are content TO trust the safety OF their
country 70 those whose duty it is to watch
over il and 70 take all possible measures for
its protection. II is a sacred duty on the
part of those elected by the people, and
am deeply concerned that it should be
neglected and that the warnings Of men who
have earnestly studied the subject against
danger which is all too obvious, should
have fallen hitherto on utterly stony ground.
For II they who know from history the fate
that overlook all former great and flourish
ing maritime and commercial states which
refused to undergo the personal sacrifice
that alone could insure the safety of their
possessons-if they who have the best
means Of ascertaining what is taking place
in other countries rest satisfied to leave
matters as they are, and, ignoring the great
responsibility that rests upon them, neglect
to do all in their power TO place this coun
try in such a state of defence as would max
even the most powerful foreign nation hest
tate to attack it, I cannot help feeling that
a very terrible awakening VIII be in store
for US at no distant period"