The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-12-06

practically every family would nave
a representative in the forces called
out for defence and would realize that
any action detrimental to the nation s
interest would directly affect them per
sonally. "Pubhc opinion would do the
rest, - says the general.
The system would be reliable, be-
cause it would produce each year the
number of men necessary to be trained
and would make it certain that in time
Of war the requisite number of trained
and organized defenders would be
forthcoming without delay. Experts
believe that the system proposed would
be economical. 1t would be based upon
the recognition by the people of the
duty of the individual to render per-
sonal service. Therefore, in carrying
il into effect the government would not
have to compete in the labor market
" A soldier, said the general, would
expect but little pay in addition to his
housing, subsistence, clothing and med
zeal attendance B0unties and subsidies
for personal service would be UNI
known
1t would be efficient, because it
would enable US to prepare adequately
for war before war comes. Moreover,
the knowledge as to the number of men
that could be relied upon to respond
to the call of arms would enable those
charged with the duty to plan intelE-
gently for our defence. The uncer-
tainty with respect to the number of
men who would volunteer for service
in case of need under our present sys-
tenn renders the formulation for the
plans of defence almost an impossi-
bilitv. 1t is believed that if an equita-
BILE system based upon the principle of
universal liability to training and serv-
ice is formulated and placed in success
full operation, our military strength in
few years would be such as to practi-
cally render US immune from attack.
The time required for the training of
armies depends largely upon the pres
ence or absence of trained or non-com-
missioned officers and a tested organiz-
alton of higher units with trained lead
ers and staff officers, the problem of
training is largely limited to the train
ing of the private soldier.
Congressman Kahn of California,
who fathered the present conscription
act in the house, will be one of the
| leaders of the present movement. He
contends, as do many of his colleagues,
| that bill for universal training of
| American youths must be enacted at
| this session of congress, asserting that
such legislation is the natural corollary
Of the selective draft legislation. . It
is appalling to learn from the rec
| ords, - says the congressman, "that 80
| per cent OF our boys are unfit for mill
| tary service. Universal military train
| ing would materially remedy this con
| dition. Under such a system our boys
would be taught hygiene and santa
ton, among many other things. The
| system would develop a more robust,
| more fit body Of citizens
An important question is whether
Secretary of War Baker will favor or
| oppose the adoption of system for
| universal military training for all time.
| As yet, he has not made his views
| known, although he has permitted
members of the house committee on
| military affairs to know that he will
| oppose any change i'll the age limits Of
| the draft act 20 far as it affects the
| second draft or even the third draft.
Whether the secretary favors the svs-
t'H VI hOt, II VII nave many sponsors,
some of them the best known men in
| the country. One Of the most earnest
advocates of universal military train
| ing is Colonel Theodore Roosevelt who
may appear before the committee on
military affairs when the subject comes
up for consideration. There is hardly
an army officer opposed to universal
training. If the members of the pres
ent general staff were to vote on the
subject today there is little question
| but that the vote would be unanimous.