New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-21

The possession OF a relatively large
army has not only not led Switzerland
to engage in the great European con-
fict, but il has definitely prevented her
from being overruu by the larger ar
mics OF her neighbors. Belgium relied
on a relatively small. paid. standing
army. The majority OF her citizens
were not trained. and she could not
readily become a nation in arms. In
Switzerland every able-bodied man has
been given military training as mat
ter Of citizenship. The hesult IS OBJ
vious:
at is sometimes said that military
training teaches wrong ideals and lays
undue stress on the development OF tbs
sighting instinct. The same objection
was formerly made 20 gymnastics. IL
is based on a lack of appreciation OF the
essential truths underlying a democ-
racy and the essential physical and
mental values in military training.
Still further, ~ is claimed By the poll
ticians that the people OF the United
States will not stand for any such idea.
OF course, they will not stand for II
so long as they remain in ignorance o.
its significance and so long as they are
taught by pacihsts and others 20 be-
We've that a weak nation Is better than
a strong one and that n man who has
soft body, badly developed, but fun
of tho milk of human kindness, IS
tetter citizen than the strong man who
Mas built up his body 20 resist disease
and fatigue and who IS able 20 fight IN
defence Of the weak, the poor and the
suffering.
No Terrors in CONSUMPTION.
ave must clear our minds OF ancient
prejudices. The word CONSUMPTION has
many terrors in It's connotation. II
is easy 20 apply that word 10 a system
which would require each year all the
citizens eighteen years old. except
members of the organized militia and
those exempt by law. 10 be enrolled IN
their divisional districts under the con-
troll and instruction of army officers,
10 receive physical drill and military
training for a limited time. IL is easy
20 forget that ccnscrIption saved the
Union. IL is easy 20 say that twelve
months actual service with the colors.
spread over period Of three or four
years. is that horrid demon conscrip-
ton, and by so saying 10 damn II ire
trievably. 10 is not so easy 10 realize
that this service ought 10 be voluntary.
There are three things that stand
out clearly as one views the situation
to-day. In the first place, the world Is
undergoing rapid change. and the
United States il becoming the richest
and most prosperous nation. As such
We shall be the envy OF those states
that come out Of the great conflict with
enormous debts, immense armies and
marvellous experience in modern meth
DDS of warfare. Our responsibility as
regards the other states OF the West
ern Hemisphere will be greatly in
creased They will look 20 rs for capt.
tai, enterprise and economic develop
ment They will also look 20 US for
protection against war-ridden Europe.
If we are like the huge giant who had
done nothing 20 make his muscles hard
and put himself in readiness. our de-
sire 10 see justice done them will be
but an empty and impotent wish. Our
desires are likely 10 be given scant
attention. Our ability 20 act as the
disinterested and unselhsh advocate OF
peace and good will will be Of no avail
if We are known 20 be TOO indolent 70
prepare and too proud 10 fight. Any
ambition we may have 70 be Of great
service TO mankind will count as
naught; nay. more. il will count against
us. for il is always irritating TO have
weak person interfere as peaeemaker
in a real dispute.
"In the second place. these things be-
ing so, it is incumbent upon Congress
20 take adequate means 10 pat US in
position of healthy preparedness.
I'm the third place, We must recog
nize that universal military service. or
a continental army OF citizen soldiers
derived from divisional districts. is in
no sense undemocratic. but is actually
in accordance with the principles Of
popular government