New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-19

tnlity and lawlcssncss In the youth
nat IL would be bad for the health,
and. finally the pet argument o,
Oswald Garrison Willard that IT wouiu
no folly TO attempt any army increase
whatever until the regular army hau
been made 100 per cent efficient.
The preparedness advocates nave as
vet had no opportunity 10 reply 70
;besc arguments. Army officers and
ether defence advocates. however, nave
branded them privately as purest tom
myrot
The Willard argument is refuted by
the testimony that the American army
is the most efficient professional army
In the world. The faults OF discipline
which Mr.. Willard cites arc, IT IS de-
clared. faults inherent IN the PROBES
sional system itself, and would disap..
pear automatically with the adoption OF
universal system.
Great Britain an Example
As for expense. the example of Great
Britain is pointed TO. Great Britain
saved money on land preparedness IN
time Of peace, but has paid Tor II TWEEN
ty times over during the war. The cost
of a universal army in this country
would he only fraction of the cost OF
a war brought on by unpreparedness.
Il is believed that President Wilson
himself is out OF sympathy with the
necifst fears of militarism and bru-
tality as a result Of military training.
tic told 2 delegation of pacitists eigh-
teen months ago that militarism was
rot question OF the size Of the army.
The disciplinary advantages OF proper
military training also are believed to
appeal to the President.
The Chamberlain committee heard
three witnesses to-day, all in favor of
universal training in various forms.
Mrs William Cumming Story, president
OF the Daughters OF the American
Revolution, told the committee that she
favored universal training and that
90. 600 women OF her society also IA
vored adequate defence.
Major General John +. Organ and
Adjutant General Louis {. Stotesbury
Of the New York National Guard, testi-
fed in favor Of the universal system.
but insisted on the retention OF the
Federaized National Guard as part OF
the scheme. In fact. the greater part OF
their testimony was given up to de-
fence Of the Guard system, in which
they laid the blame for the Guards
lAllufGN
General Organ suggested plan Of
offering youths Of eighteen their choice
Of three kinds of service-with the
regular army, with the National Guard
or in some kind Of compulsory civic
service" He advised making the en-
listment term i'm the regular army one
year, followed BY five in the reserve.
For the Guard he advocated three
months service year for three years
and three more years in reserve.
This plan Of splitting up the training
period and making il cover three-year
period. he said, would appeal to many
men who could not afford 10 give up a
solid year from their studies.
The Hay act, General Organ said,
has not had a fair trial. and will jus
tfy itself if given a chance. The faults
Of the dual control were described as
greatly exaggerated" He believed the
Hay scheme was a radical step in the
right direction"
lie defended the National Guards
mobilization record. saying the chief
trouble had resulted from the inef-
fciency Of the War Department partic-
ularly with reference TO supplies and
equipment.
Calls Border Result Good
"The actual results of National
Guard training" General Organ as
serted, have been greatly misrepre-
scented and underrsted have been sur
prised myself TO see the psychological
change in the men after n years train
ing in the Guard. Regular officers at
the border were very complimentary in
their remarks about the New York unit.
and have been much surprised to see
the press criticisms"
Discussing the length of time mill
tary training should be extended. Gen
eral Organ said that six months was
sufficient to give the necessary physical
training, but that more time was need
ed TO produce the psychological change
necessary to secure thorough discipline.
General Stotesbury pleaded for a re-
turn to the system in vogue after the
Revolution, when all the states had
compulsory service. The present mi
ltia plans, therefore, he urged, would
only revivifr measures which have been
allowed TO lapse into disuse.