New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-22
UNIVERSAL MILITARY TRAINING
Only That Can Safeguard Til;
Country in the Future.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: II this nation desires 70 remain noe
pendent and prosperous We must prepare
adequately to defend ourselves 70 sane s''
patriotic American should pay any ai'eni''
10 the clamor OF the pacihcists and the o.
ponents of preparedness. Two years ago '''T
we're loudly procaimng that mankind ha'
so improved that war between the g's''
civilized nations was impossible Events "a"
proved that they were false prophets. Never
theless, they still talk the same foo.snns''
One can understand such blindness only O.
the assumption that they are IDIOTS .anaia
or traitors.
All true Americans want peace Peace =
purchasable. but we must pay the price, az
that price is universal military training
Ny reasons for this statement are;
I. Only universal military training Is SUI
Gent 10 insure Us against attack war @'
tween tirst-class nations means men BID
ions of men. No sensible person who 's'"
the war news can feel sure that less IA
All our available men will be enough 70 P'''
vent an attack by some possible como.ns'''
Of powers.
>. Universal military training Is ne O."
democratic method. n a democracy ''
mans duty to serve IN the army j l-''
great as any other mans, and service US
out training is very nearly worthless.
3. Universal military training Is the o..
fair and jus. method. Every one knows "l'
has become OF the men who composer -
first British expeditionary force ina, was X
into France-they are all dead Inc 30
is true of the first line OF the French w
man. Austrian and Russian troops-tney A''
been almost entirely annihilated
believe that am as patriotic as any ''l..
American citizen, but Il had ten son'
one cf them should enlist IN me reg.
army. or in the proposed Continental a'n.
with nv consent There Is no sound res.
Why few patriotic Americans sno-'U -,
themselves 70 be slaughtered 20 save ~
skins Of lot OF cowarily siscAers !"
money bags of a 10, Of greedy p'1'V'.'
who sneak out Of their just share OF axe
4. Universal military training, i 'si
managed. would increase the industrial 90
commercial efficiency OF the nation
had just this effect in Germany anu 80,
;. Universal military training j -" n,
managed. would tend 70 unity the na'ion' -
Of the greatest lessons Of modern '' -.
that within certain wide limits nA'V- .
be made over according 20 specih'1''V-, 90,
we wish to develop true Americanism "' A.
do it by some form OF national tra'a"s
present il is impossible FOR Us 20 80,
national system of schools The Only ~
system OF national training IS unNs.'~ a.
itary training Under such s's'' .,,,o
Young men should be taught man! ' ~,
which are no. purely military IN 'n'.,
For example, they should receive 'n'"'
in history. g., ,;ss.f
6. Universal military training y :" ~
managed, would tend strongly 'o"'f 70, -
citizenship. II would teach respyss 70 e
and develop ability 70 work 'ose'"' .s,,s O.
operate. II would also deFeioP - 5sg
duty sense OF social 'er''V.
which each man owes 20 his na"o' .,o- re
II is wise nation that earns '.,,,s,e
misfortunes of other people. Inc 49, oc,:.
which have fallen upon Great b'''A's .rc,,
70 render argument for America. lid 81
service unnecessary. and the cos, s",Iis,rr
he considered. because the cost o. ,.r a..
will some day render the cost o. Pr III,
adequate preparation insignificant -, l,,.
20 begin is now. The curses OF mo- .,.,s.
nations lie upon the procras'ina,lon ~ "a r,ef
men who waited fer :he breahao"' ~
the necessity of sacrifice.
New York. Jan. II, 1910.