The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-05-26
HOLLANDS PROGRAM
FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE
German Universities May Shut
Their Doors to All but
German Students.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, May 26.
An army OF 100000 men as Hol-
lands military strength in any future
European struggle is the preparedness
program Of the .'volksweerbaarheid
or National Defense Association, which
enjoys a state subsidy and has 40
branches and nearly $4,000 members.
Under this program every able
bodied man and woman would be en-
listed for the country's defense; there
would be universal service instead OF
the limited compulsory system which
now obtains. The association Is con-
yfnced that freedom and independence
can be assured only when all who are
able, conscious Of their duty. prepare
themselves In service in the countrys
defense forces. with q view, in case of
necessity, to being able to defend those
most sacred possessions OF the nation. Z"
The concrete scheme Of the associa-
ton takes the form Of general COM
pulsory training, with limited repeti-
ton training and service, and local and
provincial training and organization.
Starting out from the principle that
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forming Of powerful race. the pro-
gram would provide physical exercise
In the schools. and subsequent prepar-
atory training Of the youth Of the coun-
try. After this the time actually spent
In the ranks would be comparatively
short, the association argues. citing
what has been seen in that respect in
the preesnt war.
Only few Of the large levies thus
obtained would sufiice to form the field
army. Thence the men would pass out
Into the local roops"-territoria de-
fence forces. These latter would be
30 organized that, together with the
strong localized frontier and coast
guards. they could be ready to take
the field in a few hours.
While the local troops" would, in
the first place, serve for defense, the
field army would be destined for Of
fensive operations. The two together
would form force Of about 100000
men, fully trained. while there would
still be reserve in the depots Of more
than 100000 men, making up the total
Of 100000 mentioned.
Summarized, this new national army
would be constituted as follows:
Frontier and coastal troops, 134,600
men; field army, 100000; position
troops. 1880; marine. 5000; local
troops, 534.500; total, 796.50O men.
Reserve: Local reserve, first ban,
400, 900 men; second ban, 10000 men;
total. $4,000 men.
With such an army. which is repre-
sented as quite feasible, the old axio-
matte principle Of retiring behind the
! famous Dutch water line" might be
abandoned and positions taken up inn
mediately behind the frontiers, the
association points out.
The basic idea Of the program is
said to enjoy wide sympathy and sup
port, and the plan is expected to come
up for serious consideration in one
form or another when the present
crisis is past.
In a talk with the correspondent OF
the Associated Press, the secretary of
the association laid special stress on
the fact that the women must also be
organized and trained to cooperate,
presumably largely in Red Cross work.
Apart from its propaganda activi-
ties. the National Defense Association
has been instrumental in raising near
ly 10000 volunteer Lanstrum troops to
reinforce the modified army.
Since Its birth in 1899 the organ