Evening star., 1917-04-26
DECLARES TRUE EPOL|CY|S
SELECT|vE CONSCR|PT|ON
Writer Gives Three Reasons for Its
Adoption to Meet Present Ma
tional Emergency.
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
Permit me to give you briefly three
reasons-the first of a somewhat per
sonal character, which. however. must
appeal to many throughout the country.
the other two more general and pub
lic-which impel me to regard selec-
tive CONSUMPTION. based on the prin-
ciple of universal liability to military
service, as the only true policy in the
present national emergency:
l. have two sons who went into the
military service of the country at the
first intimation of approaching con,
fict. They did not wait to be called
for: they simply would not De Kept
their country needs them. l am willing
they should take a soldiers risk. !
am not willing that cowards ana
slackers shall idle away at home while
of England's youth. to teach the ma
ton a lesson in common sense and In
the strength of the enemy. Tne pa,
triots who answer their countrys can
that the whole physical force OF the
nation goes with them.
q The commissioners sent US by
Great Britain to take counsel for an
a common foe are taken from her fore
most statesmen and soldiers. Ihey
represent a nation whose traoltions.
like our own, are against compulsory
military service. Those tradltlons were
followed at the outbreak of this war.
These commissioners, as their utter
ances are reported to us in the press.
are unanimous in the opinion that
failure to adopt consumption IN the nrst
instance was a disastrous mistake on
the part of England and one which we
should not follow. We should heed
their advice Let us profit by the warn
ing of Englands blunderS and not re-
peat them at terrible cost to our
selves.
Demanded by the President.
2. Were there no other reason for
adopting conscription at the present
time. the mere fact that it is de-
manded by the President should be all
SUFFICIENT. We are facing an enemy the
most thoroughly organized of any bel
ligerent power that has ever carried on
a war since the world began. 1t COM
mands absolute obedience throughout
the nation. It's military effectiveness
is gained by placing every resource OF
the nation at the disposal of those
at the head of the government the
President at a time like this snouiu
be supreme. He is organizing the force
of the country, pHySlCdi anu III" 'SAoi
and all its resources should be placed
unouestioningly at his command. Secre-
tary Baker in recent letter on TINS
subject has said that there is no fear
of militarism. 1t might be added that
there need be no fear of autocracy.
Historians have remarked that the
presidential power. after reaching It's
height under President Lincoln. drop
ped to its lowest depth under Presi-
dent johnson. When the emergency
shall have passed the presidency Will
resume its normal peace powers. the
President has shown his pacific dtspo-
sftion in keeping the country out OF
war I'D to the last moment that 1t
could be done with honor. Now that
he has been forced into the conflict
let not his hands be tied by refusing
him every possible means to strike
hard. .. &.
upon political grounds that l advocate
Investing the President with supreme
mower. let me say that I was an omcial
of the Hughes Club of this city In the
| late campaign and advocated the cleo
ton of the republican candidate. But
this is no time for partisanship. Tne
| country has decided to wage war with
a powerful and unscrupulous enemy
| To withhold from the President in TINS
| great national emergency single man
or dollar which he demands Is in the
| worst sense to give aid ana conlort
| to the enemy. GEOfsHE a. INA4>0'