The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-03-22

''' 81 "H"Hld l'l wv I''I'I N'|''"N
ui !hc canal
Continental Force is TOO Small
Recent events have disclosed the ne
CCs.ity oi maintaining a largcr force m
continental United States, for the mall
rumbcr constituting the regular armI
wa, totally inadequate to protect our
iofder against so poor a military power
as Mexico
This army had TO be utilized as much
Tor the training OF the national guard
as for border duty and the Question
must suggest itscli 10 any reasonable
mind What would have happened
along the border II this country hal
become involved in serious war with
Mexico. and particularly II that rcpub
he had received assistance from some
other military power,
Large Standing Army.
To maintain a large standing army
would involve immense expense, and
q Is very questionable If under our
system OF recruiting l'ewould be posi-.
Bile 20 keep the army filled beyond 80
OOO Tor all purposes
The other alternative is 10 maintain
a reasonable and we'll equipped stand
ing army with universal military train
Ing, as a citizen reserve force from
which an army might be recruited IN
any serious emergency.
The young men arriving at 70 years
OF age each year who arc physically
and otherwise tit for military service
probably Will reach about 10000. and
II Is proposed to train them or less
number by some system of military
training for period OF six months
/ ~ more
Estimated Expense.
II has been estimated that lhl, can
/ be done a. an expense ot about $50.
wW per annum, or possibly a little
more, but N the end i, will prove the
cheapest method OF all Tor maintaining
an adequate force for the protection OF
our country and IT'S cherished ideals
| Six months Oi training will not make
soldier according TO the testimony
Of many experts, but intensive training
for that length Of time, according 10
/ the testimony OF other equally as well
Informed military men, will place the
average youth in condition 20 he
utilized as military asset in case Of
/ necessity
Border Mobilization Lesson.
Objection is made 20 universal mill
tarv training that Il CultvatcS the
mllitarlStc spirit; but with the expe-
rence ot the border mobilization i'm.
| mcdiately before us. everybody mus,
realize that the few months OF outdoor
HE and military training required of
the national guard and its recruits sent
back into civil lie on their discharge a
more rugged body oi Young men than
LETT their homes at the call OF the pres.
ldent
! Not only has the experience benefit.
ed them from a physical standpoint
bu, It has taught them respect for Law
and order, cultlyatic iS them NOR,
/ patriotic spirit and further and better
Than all else, It has taught them IN,
absolute tu,lllty OF attempting mill.
taty service without, previous training
An Object Lesson.
he country moreover, has had an
object lesson OF the entire unfairncs,
OF depending upon the patriotic men
who volunteered, leaving behind those
who are under equal obligations 10
serve bu, who renamed at home
Nobody questions the patriotism NJ
the national guard Individually or col.
lccuycly and every good citizen mus,
commend the spirit which animated
these Young men All ot us have seen
them return TO their homes with their
places filled with slackers and others
who, under equal obligations to go Ia
the front, remained behind
The injustice OF the situation ba,
aroused the country This suhlcc, will
be presented to congress a, the ,pcrial
session, and am hoping that. with
The change that has been going ON in
the public mind, some reasonable sy,-
tenn of universal military service may
be adopted hy congress that our roun.
tty may he able to defend itself
m IL