The twice-a-week Twin Falls times. (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1916-1918, 1917-07-12
CUBA AROUSED OVER
SELECTIyE DRAFT PLAN

(By international News Service)
HAVANA, CUBA, July Cuba is
now experiencing the same discussion
and problems over obligatory military
service that the United States had
prior to the passage of the recent ser
vice laws in Washington. The Cuban
congress is now in session and, while
the leaders of both houses do not
agree on the form in which Cuba's
military law should be enacted or the
extent of the selective draft, never
theless it is probable that a bill en-
bodying the same features as that in
the United States will be passed by
both houses in a few days
President Menocal has requested
congress for a sweeping Selective
draft law which will exempt none
from it's workings. Other leaders be-
lieve that this is going too far in
this country at this time The work
ing of the United States law is being
watched with great interest here and
throughout the island. Il is estimated
that from the available eligible
lation in Cuba an army of 100, 900 men
fully equipped could be raised speed
lily and with slight inconvenience,
should the necessity arise
The attitude of the administration
toward the pending measure is we'll
expressed by DIR. Ricardo DOLE, leader
of the Conservative party and preSi-
dent of the Cuban senate, who said to-
day:
Il cannot think of any reason why
the Conservative party should not lend
its support to the president of the re-
public to implant the obligatory mil
itary service. This is a duty imposed
by the constitution on every Cuban
citizen, and, therefore, we may dis
cuss the details of his service but
not it's principle, as it would be
against the constitution to dc so
congress as an example in passing re
cent legislation. During a state o
= war the president is principally re
sponsible for the security of the ma
ton, and ongress should accept al
recommendations from the executive
under these circumstances, and no OBJ
o structions should be put in his way il
times in which the country is in
state of war.
n Congress, in my opinion, shoul
n grant u-ngrudgiingly all requests frOr
n the executive"
d In answer to the charge by certaii
o opponents of the measure that inter
ests of education in Cuba would sui
fer through a universal draft measure
e DR.. Gabriel Casuso, head of the Uni
IS versity of Havana, asserted:
e 81 do not believe that the obligatOr
military service will cause any dam
age. l speak, of course, thinking {
= the students at the university. On tn
If contrary, I think the service will b
is beneficial, as the university d
At would expand their faculties in til
e service of their country and woul
form a strong nucleus to direct tt
rs movement.
he THE hands of the gOvernmel
Sc should be left free to act at this tim
e. and all citizens should obey orders.
Il have always advocated physic
of culture at the university, and evt
ne recommended that they take milital
in exercises. My contention has be-
proved by the fact that in the last u
to rising it was the students who ga
1g the better service to their country
IS. w AVE gone into this war
rs strengthen our ties with the Unit
a states Germany is iar away II
true. but we must~ prepare Ourselv
n for all emergencies"