The Harrison times., 1916-12-30
CONTEST IN CONGRESS OVER
UNIVERSAL MILITARY TRAIN
ING is ASSURED.
PLAN IS GAINING SUPPORT
Its Essential Democracy and Appar.
ent Failure of the New Militia sys-
tenn In Its Favor-opponents Many
and Determined.
BY GEORGE CLINTON.

| the United States Is 10 mOnthS Oiuei
there will be contest In congress on
the subject of universal military train
ing. The proponents of the plan urge
that every young American prior to
reaching the age of twenty-one snail
serve one year with the colors as
means of training and TO the end OF
preparedness for defense.
The chief of the general staff of the
United States army In his report,
which has just been issued, virtually
urges universal military service in the
form outlined. He declares that there
is no reason why one mothers son
should bear the burden of arother
mothers son equally able TO bear II.
The plea is for the democracy of the
plan, inasmuch as its advocates say II
would put the son of a millionaire
under the shelter tent in the field with
the son of a labOrer, and that such
companlOnship makes for a real ma
tional spirit and for real democracy,
There Is the strongest kind OF oppo-
sition among certain elements in con-
gress and in the country to universal
military training. The friends OF the
plan say however, that recruits for
their cause rapidly are being won from
the ranks of the opposition. They de-
clare that more than anything else the
democracy of the scheme Is winning
them recruits for their cause.
Why Guardsmen Refused Oath.
1t Is useless to deny, members say,
that what many congressman say IS
the failure of the militia system and
the failure of the attempt to secure
enough recruits for the regular army
by the volunteer system are respon-
slble for the seeming change of mind
by part of the public toward the
plan for universal training. The Ma
tional Guardsmen did fine work and
responded gallantly to the call FOR
service, but on the return Of many OF
them to their homes they declined to
take the oath which would bind them
to the federal service for long period.
1t Is said In army circles that there
are reasons for this which do not In
any way reflect on the patriotism or
the members Of the Guard.
1t seems that the Guardsmen, after
serving on the border, for many OF
them 80 declare, realized that they
were giving up their business pursuits,
and some Of them their families, and
making sacrifices while a vast ma
iority Of men in their own condition OF
life were not called upon to make any
sacrifice at all. The Guardsmen
urged the inequalities in the distribu-
ton of the burdens of service.
SO far as the United States regular
army Is concerned, the law now fixes
Its strength at about 100000 men. OF
course enlistments are voluntary and
up to the present time 1t has been
possible to secure only about 10000
men ready to enlist under the flag and
serve the allotted time. Recruiting Of
fcers are said to be respondent over
| the outlook.
These are the things which are maxi
Ing universal military training the
sharp subject Of interest and debate
in Washington. 1t Is more than ru-
mored that high officials Of the gov
ernment are beginning to lean toward
the universal service plan, thinking
that 1t Is the only way In which the
country adequately can prepare itself,
that it is the only equitable way Of
doing things as long as military service
Is necessary, and, moreover, because
1t Is so essentially democratic.
Many Congresses in Capital.
Washington Is the city of con-
greSs and Of many congresses, This
winter there will be something like
afteen big meetings which will be at
tended by men from all parts Of the
country and to which are given the
name Of congresses by their promoters.
Several Of these congresses already
have been held, and others are to come
along one after another in rapid sue
cession. The object Of every one Of
them Is something which the delegates
Insist will be for the great benefit Of
the American people. There are those,
Of course, who hold that some Of the
congresses are for the detriment Of the
American people, for in politics there
Is always room fer difference Of opin-
lon, room which generally Is pretty
we'll occupied.
Already In this city there has been
held the great rivers and harbors con-
gress for the purpose Of suggesting
legislation to improve the waterways
Of the land. There are men who are
inclined 70 say that the rivers and
harbors congress meets to promote
pork barrel" legislation. This the del
egntes to the congress and the men
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