The Washington times., 1917-05-03
SUGGESTS THAT U. S.
FOLLOW CANADA
American Writes Of Mistakes Made
by Dominion in Early War Days.

II the United States Is wise" II
will study carefully the mistakes and
successes OF Canada during its two
years and a half part in the European
var, and be benefited by them in IL:
1wn preparations.
Canada made the grievous error oi
sending to the front at first those
readily available and best trained of
ficers, leaving but few behind to train
the recruits for field service.
Another mistake made by Canada
was letting down the medical bar
rier in order TO raise large bodies of
troops. These men were trained, sent
to Europe, only to be returned as
physically unit for war purposes.
Letter to waskIngtonIan.
These thoughts are expressed in a
letter received in Washington today
by John D. Howe, of 1105 h street
northwest, from Henry. C. Kelly, a
nephew, who is manager of Dun's
Commercial Agency in Toronto. Mr..
Kelly is an American.
In his letter, he says:
1--WE. in Canada, have learned many
things and profited greatly by being
constantly able to study industrial
and political policies of the United
states, but the shoe is on the other
foot now and the United States, il
she Is wise, will study very closely
the successes and mistakes which
have been made in Canada during this
war.
Those who have the slightest
knowledge OF the situation, and re-
suits obtained here, will not dispute
the statement thatno greater mis-
take could be made than to attempt
to raise a great army by the volun-
tary method: there Is only one fair
and equitable way to do il and that
is, by universal service.
"One Of the advantages OF this sys-
tenn in the United States will be that
the eligible citizens of alien enemy
origion will be drafted into the army
with the rest Of the population and
their presence there will have.a great
tendency to check any growth of un-
friendly sentiment among their stay
athome relatives.
"I should say II would be a great
factor in minimizing the danger of
internal troubles, with foreign-born
population
No Serious Trouble.
Personally, have always held that
there would be no serious trouble of
this kind; have unlimited faith in
the great naturaIizing ability of the
United States and when she has enter
ed the war and is thoroughly into II,
I do not believe there will be any
trouble regarding German-Austrian
ut is also to be hoped that the
press of the country will refrain from
putting this class of the population
in a defiant attitude by constantly
casting suspicion upon them; II |
should be assumed that all citizens
land even residents), OF the United |
States will be loyal and only those |
who definitely prove themselves |
otherwise should be set aside from |
the rights and privileges Of citizen |
ship.
Another very grievous error which |
was made in this country during the |
early stages OF the war. was the send
Ing in to the line OF battle, OF the first |
regiments raised. which compromised |
the most readily available and best
trained officers and men We had.
TT is natural that the first calls un-
der the voluntary system will bring |
those who have had experience. II they |
are lost in the early stages OF the war.
Il is difficult TO replace them and the
training Of green men becomes corre-
spondingiy hard.
Let Down Bars.
I've have also from time to time
made the mistake OF letting down the
OF medical inspection. with the
result that men have been trained for
months and sent overseas. at heavy eK-
pense, only to be sent back as unfit for
he battlefield. Again. during the early
stages OF the war. no attempt was made
20 classify and star those men who
we're especially equipped for munition
md other work almost. II not quite. as
important as that OF the battlefield.
Il do not for a moment wish to ap-
pear to criticise Canadian methods; no
'ne could justly do that; they have
been magnificent In this struggle. and
Z the United States Cas believe. she
Wild does as we'll in proportion. she
will throw a determining weight into
he scale.
There is nothing that would prove
more efficient than an early man.
power census. With proper separations
'f classes. etc. The men should be
allied automatically, according to
.lasses. and there should be no room
or argument. except in starred trades
Ind exceptions allowed by the boards
appointed for that purpose" J.