The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-09-27
GIVE OUR BOYS A
FIGHTING CHANCE
With Military Training and Every
Young Man Trained. There Would
be a Stronger Country.

Young Man Trained, There Woult
be a Stronger Country.
How fortunate it would have beer
had we adopted universal military
training five or ten years ago. II
would have meant much in the pres
ent crisis--it probably would have
kept us out of the war. But it's nc
use to cry over split milk. The ques-
tion is, what shall we do now? Every
thoughtful man must feel that ma
tion unable to protect itself promptly
is blind to the tragic possibilities OF
its heedlessness. War comes unex-
pectedly and, as in our own case, II
is sometimes forced upon an "inno-
cent bystander." For three years we
submitted to insult and injury, until
forbearance ceased to be virtue and
there was nothing left for US but to
assert our rights and to defend them.
No country in the world hates war
more than we do. Only extreme
provocation would induce US to take
up arms. Experience shows ,abund-
antly that a peace-loving nation is not
safe because of that fact. Belgium
and some of the Balkan states are
evidence Of it.
As the world is constituted, and has
been through thousands of years Of
strife, there is only one safe plan, and
that is to follow the advice Of Wash
ington--in time of peace, prepare for
war. If we had done this few years
ago, we would have saved billions of
dollars and tens of thousands of lives.
1t is common knowledge in military
circles that trained men, by knowing
how to take care of themselves in
camp and in the field, reduce the NOR
tality and casualties at least two
thirds, and, what is even more vital,
MEN OF SPECIAL TRAINING
ONLY CAN BE USED IN MODERN
WARFARE.
Nationally, we need little fore
sight, a keener appreciation of the
necessity for providing for future
contingencies. We cut ice in the cold
est sort of weather when nobody
wants ice, for we know it will be de-
manded a few months later; so we
prepare in mid winter, for our com
forts during the heated period Of
summer.
The plan of universal military
training as outlined in the Chamber
lain Bill would make available at all
times, millions of young men who
have had sufficient military training
to enable them to become excellent
soldiers with a few weeks of addition
al training. This would safeguard the
nation and prepare it against any
contingency that would probably arise,
and if one should never arise, the
training would be the very best exper
ience that any young man could have.
1t would make him stronger physical
ly, more alert mentally, quicker to sec
and to act. Also, it would increase
his earning capacity and give him a
better chance to win success in his life
work. Our boys appreciate this. !
think the majority Of them would be
glad to take the training.
War is calamity beyond descrip-
ton. We are sorry that any of our
young men should be compelled to en-
gage in it, but there are some things
worse than war, and one would be to
have our country dominated by for
eign power-by rule of ruthless
that counts war as a regu-
lar business.
Since the boys may at any time be
called upon to defend our country and
our flag, we owe it to them to provide
them with careful training so
that they may perform this important
national function both efficiently and
as safely as possible. We must not be
asleep at the switch. The responsible
ty is up to the American citizen and I
-he voters Of this country to demand 7
.he passage Of the Chamberlain Bill or
some similar measure by Congress at
is next session. 1t has already been
too long. It's time now for
lction.--Wm. Wrigley, Jr.