Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1917-02-23

Washington, Feb. 17.-The sen
ate military committee has report
ed favorably a bill creating a mill
tary and naval citizenship force bas-
ed on universal military training
service.
While the report does not indi-
cate that congress will act on the mea-
sure this session, it brings to a def
mite head the universal military SER
vice discussion of the last few months
and offers a specific plan on which
public sentiment can crystalize. The
bill requires six months training
without pay for all youths during the
nineteenth year. Exemptions are con-
fined to the members OF the reg
ular army and navy, those physically
unfit and those who are the sole
support of dependant relatives, and
those affiliated with religious creeds
which forbid them to bear arms. The
latter class, however, are liable for
branches OF the army.
1t is estimated that the bill would
provide for the training OF 500, 900
boys annually. each of whom would
be furloughed into a reserve for a
period of nine years after taking his
training. With allowances for the
shrinkage OF classes due to various
causes, as the years pass. this plan
would give a total force of 3,165,00O
men who had six months training, at
the end of the first nine year cycle,
all subject for service only in the
event OF a defensive" war or the
imminence thereof.
The bill disagrees with the theo-
ry OF the general staff as to the
amount of training necessary to make
a soldier fit to go on the battle lines,
although It contemplates about the
total strength proposed by staff Of
fieers. A year OF intensive instruc-
tion has been declared by Major Cen
eral Scott, the chief Of staff, to be
the minimum for safety for the train
ing of even defensive soldiers. A
universal training bill carrying the
endorsement of the general staff and
based on a years training is almost
ready for final submission to Secre
tary Baker and the president. Meth
er of these officials has committed
himself on the principle of univer
sal service.
The committee measure which II
based on that prepared by Majoi
Moseley, formerly OF the army gen
eral staff. fixes military training al
a duty OF citizenship. denying nat
uralization until such training ha
been at least begun or exemption
granted.
All government employment woul'
be closed to those who could no
produce certificates of training or ex
emption and private employers woul,
be similarly prohibited from employ
ing any man who had eyaded hi
service. A blanket penalty with
maximum OF $1,000 fine and q year
imprisonment for each offence is pre-
vided for the violation of any ser
tion OF the act, except that thos
who eyade training when liable for
! must serve a longer time.
For nine years. or until he ha
passed his 2sth year. each reservis
would be required to appear In pei
son before the registration author
tiles OF his military district. In cas-
Of war the youngest classes would
called first. After his 2Sth yea
a reservist would pass into the gres
body OF unorganized militia, subje,
only to the general laws.
The bill provides no organizatio
after the troops leave training. b,
the president Ii given latitude In ii
regard. No changes in the presel
national guard system are provide
for. Training would be in milital
districts comprising single states
groups of small states and the esta
lishment by lease or purchase
training cantonments in each distri
or subdivision IL directed. Registr
tion and medical examining boar
for each district or subdivision al
would be appointed by the presider
the word OF the latter as to physic
fitnes to be final; while action Of &
registration boards ON examptio