Evening journal., 1916-04-14
URGES MEN To TAKE
military TRAINING
Captain Johnston FavOrS
Federalization Plan; Militia
System at Fault
ATTEND CAMP OR SEND
SUBSTITUTE, he URGES.

Captain Gordon Johnston u. 5. A.,
lide to Major General Leonard Wood.
made three addresses on the subject
II Preparedness and United States
Military Training Camps yesterday.
and on each occasion his remarks
we're followed closely and made a
1oep impression on his hearers. In
he morning Captain Johnston spoke
before the student body of Delaware
College at Newark. in the afternoon
nc spoke to Wilmington High School
students and last night. before "a
arge audience at the City Club.
In his address before the City Club
last night, Captain Johnston stated
that both officers and men of
the Organized Militia deserved
he greatest praise and gratitude for
Oeir hard and unselfsh work, but
Said that their work had been prac-
tically useless because of tho faults
Of the system under which they had
labored. and said that the higher Off
,ers Of the army favored taking them
into the government service. officer
and man. as they stood. under fed
sralization plan which would make
,hem Of greater benefit TO the
country. and their hard work OF some
-cal service. as was intended by the
officers and men involved He OK
pressed great admiration for the men
personally. i'm the militia, but con-
1emned the system which made their
hard work and conscientious effort
worthless to the country except under
liberalization rule.
Briefly, he told OF the Plattsburg
camp and its work and methods. and
urged his hearers. if they we're so
situated that they could not go to this
camp themselves. 10 pay tho ex-
penses OF some bright young man in
their employ. or acquaintance, i'm or
lcr that he might attend and receive
the benefits OF this training, and be a
real tangible asset 10 the country in
time OF need.
Commends Capt. Johnston.
Following his remarks. Chairman
John p Niolds. who attended the
Plattsburg camp made brief address
I'm which nc stated. that there was
one thing. possibly above others, that
the men who had attended the Platts
burg camp last year had learned and
that was to have an abiding respect
regular army on duty there, CHIEF
among whom, and for whom this
feeling was felt In the fullest meas
ure, was Captain Johnston.
Captain Johnston said I'm part:
"The idea of preparedness as IL Is
now advocated by my chief. Genera
Wood. came TO him from Lord Rob
crts OF England. Two years hefor'
T. present war broke out, Lord Rob
crts went fror- one end OF Englant
10 The other urging preparation 70
greater military efficiency. He wa
regarded as an alarmist.
"All of you who are familiar will
current history know the terrible
trial through which England is pass
ing. and Of her appalling losses. Eng
lands condition is Of interest TO N
because we are most like her in on
condition of unpreparedness.
The Lesson for America.
"England's condition affords a pei
tinent lesson for us. and those Of N
who are on the front lines naturall
are anxious TO know what is to fO
low when we have passed on. In an
crisis the present forces of the Unite
States would all be gone very shori
" and there will be no time to pre-
pare after such a crisis comes. II
modern practice the declaration o
war is marked by the beginning O
lmm ediate hostilities, as the simpl
crossing Of the border in the presen
gigantic struggle.
"The question of preparedness a
II presents itself to US centers aroun
the problem Of providing the trainin
adequate for efficiency without losin
Industrial efficiency and impairin
normal conditions.
1--WE in the service i'm this cOuntr
feel that what is needed here is mora
preparedness as we'll as physical. Gu
men need a quickening of the spirf