The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-03-12

NR. DUDLEY A. SARGENT OF
Harvard in recently declaring
that women could be made rs
fit for military service as men start
ed a countrywide discussion in the
United States, the long and painstak.
ing study OF whose women has firmly
grounded him in his conclusions; but
the pronouncement OF the eminent
American physical culturtst was re-
celved with greater and more init
mate interest in France, where 5000
women, organized for military ser.
vice, have been earnestly appealing
TO the government to accept. them.
Apart from the purely patriotic rea-
sons why they should be accepted.
they cited the dictum OF DR.. Sargent
as one Of their strongest arguments.
There is no question that women
can make excellent fighters. That Is
being amply demonstrated in the big
war on many an ensanguined field;
but, from a national and economic
Viewpoint there are many other
things to be taken into consideration,
That is why the precious word has
not been received from the French
government. And there is no chance,
that 1t will be forthcoming.
Madame, the csnerall 4
At any gate, Paris recently had an
opportunity to behold the slsirted
army, which was received with ire
nendous enthusiasm. These women
were in notably correct marching or.
der, uniformed and disclpIined--con'
panles Of women of all conditions
and trades, trying by this demonstra.
ton to influence the government to
militarize them for service connected
with the war.
Nine. Aruaud, the general of this lt.
tie army, hopes that the government
will come round to open recognition
of the value of women. Her army is
already organized into sections with
separate commands. Some of the
women are Belgtans.
The circular Of Gen. Galllenl in
structing officers Of administration
in the ministry Of war 10 replace
men by women where possible in all
indoor services has greatly encour
aged the women.
Their uniform, of sky-blue IaclSet
and short skirt, serves for natriotic
demonstrations, such as pilgrinfascs
to the tomb of Deroulede, and also
attracts attention to the cause of mil.
itary equality OF women with menN
DR.. Sargent has spent many busy
years in dealing with questions Of
physical culture and his studies OF
the American woman make a monu.
ment fof work not without its enthust.
Rsms. and a resultant tribute TO the
physical peerage OF the subjact. "But
when we have admitted wonan's
native strength, her endurance. her
proficiency in many sports once held
by man, and her capacity for bearing
pain" says one commentator i've
are still far from proving her avail.
ability for service. This is an issue
social and economic rather than
physical.
booming Nation.
even in Dahomey. when the fever
for soldering had so spread that
most OF the able-bodiel women we're
under arms. there came a disastrous
dearth Of motherhood and of upgrow.
Ing children. Human experience is
wiser than scientific theory. The
country that sends its women TO war
doonls itself to death"
That Is the view held In France.
But what Is the growing world going
10 do eventually in the face of the
tremendous growth Of feminism.
which makes the woman the equal of
they1nan in all ways and gives Itself
10 the rearing Of manly girls? Emf.