New-York tribune., 1916-07-07
MILITARY TRAINING FOR ALL
Il |. More Democratic, More Efficient and
the Best Guarantee Of Peace.
To tho Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor OF Inc lTlpuh''
Sir: Ever since the Spanish War demon
stration of our national hclplcssness for the
defence of the United States pa'riotlc
Americans have been using every ehort 10
awaken the public to the need OF prepared
ness for national security and defence Inc
extreme pacifsts have been largely respon-
sible for the theory which brought us to TINS
mnkeshift condition of unpreparedness.
The efficiency of the National Guard OF to-
day is commercially better than II was Ut
1898, but the weakness demonstrated In MOB
iizing, transporting, equippng and teedlhg
the Guard during the past fortnight must DC
apparent TO every citizen. The blame - ho'
with "thc boys" because they are among the
best in the land, for patriotism intelli'
cence and willingness to sacrifice II is clear
now that "the system" is wrong and that
General Wood, who has been advocating
federal military plan for many years, is right
when he attributes the present defects TO
the antiquated state militia system and no,
10 the men. II is becoming more and more
apparent that we can never have an effective
defence force in a state guard composed OF
forty-eight varieties of organizations. The
practical idea must prevail of nationalizing
our entire system and reorganizing 1t en-
tircly upon the lines laid down for the train
ing. discipline, sanitation, mobilization
TRANSPORTATION and sustenance of the United
States army.
Further than this, is it fair that the
splendid fellows who offer themselves upon
the altar of their country as National
Guardsmen should have to make the sacrifice
alone? Is it not more democratic more eff
cient and better in every respect TO have
what Colonel Roosevelt so aptly calls "uni-
yersal military training in time of peace and
universal service in time Of war? This can
be effected under the Swiss or Australian
plan with both economy and efficiency, and
then the world would understand" us better
as a peace loving nation with an efficient
emergency army of 100000 men, instead
of the sixteen individual men who have only
recently composed the entire reserve army
Of the United States"
Senator Chamberlain's bill for universal
military training should receive the vigorous
support of all persons willing to stand up
for america first" and Of all who believe
that every citizen who shares the benefits
should also share the burdens and perils Of
defending the institutions which guarantee
life. liberty and the enjoyment of prosperity.
Train all of them. and 90 per cent of them,
when they know the duties and peris of
soldier will be not only the best peace ad
vocates. but the actual defenders Of last
ing peace.
All honor to the National Guardsmen who
are doing their best, II now devolyes upon
the citizens of the United States to give
them a better system, a system equal to their
willingness and splendid patriotism, and this
should be done promptly and ungrudgngly,
with ample provision for those who lef;
unprovided for in the absence Of their bread
winners. This is what the Fourth of July
should spell for all of US.
4. b. HUMPHREY
New York. July T. 1916.