Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-24
Menace Lies In Delay

HERE arc points or similarity between the
i situation Of the compulsory military SER
vice bill. now pending in the Congress Of the
United states, and the situation OF the ordi-
nance providing for a civic survey, now pend
ing in the Council OF the city of Richmond.
Both are made necessary by Il public cxigency.
both arc demanded by the public Intelligence,
both are attacked by the forces of reaction,
and both arc mcnaced, principally ii not
solely, by delay.
Here in Richmond we all know and under
stand what delays the survey. We under
stand exactly what motives underlic opposi-
ton and exactly what it is hoped To accom-
plish. Entirely confident that the campaign
10 defeat the popular will is marked itself
for defeat, we can AFFORD TO turn our attention
to the larger issue which concerns tile nation.
And there delay is the crux OF the whole
matter. Congress, ultimately. will do what
the city Council will do ultimately-obey
the voice of reason and conscience. which is
the voice Of the people-but in the meantime
the safety OF the country hangs in the bal
ance. We have moi learned to take this war
seriously. despite all the eXhortations which
are addressed to us and the warnings we find
each day in descriptions of that ira gedy and
horror which is modern war.
Even in the few hours we have been in
the United States" said Arthur j. Balfour.
chief OF the commission which Great Britain
has sent to Washington, I'VE have been struck
with the atmosphere of calm and pcacefulness
which naturally prevails" And he went on
10 say that we in England look back with
amazement al the vital changes during our
past thirty months OF mobilization, and i'm
agine that many of the changes we have gone
through. so s~alutary even for themselves. will
he repeated here
II that hope has a prompt justifcation, it
Will be i'll Americas demonstrated ability
To proht by Briiain's errors. The message
MIR. Balfour brings us is Of mistakes paid for
III blood and treasure and e~Xpiated in tears
and the bitterness of self-reproach. He and
The government he represents would spare us
the immeasurahle losses which spring from
confidence in discredited formulas and the
war methods of an earlier day. He bares the
Story OF old follies. he reopens old wounds,
that we may see what comes, and has come,
Of lighting the devil with anything other
than fire.
When he tells this story. one word will
ne found on every pagc-delay. Delay in
adopting the principle of universal service
was itself responsible for scores and hundreds
Of other delays. 1t delayed. in the first place.
the attainment OF that national unity of spirit
and purpose which is essential to modern
wars successful prosecution. The bold and
hieh-spirited, sacrificing themselves with fiery
gal!antry. resented the fact that the coward
and the Stacker enjoyed an unmerited security.
Pow " VII thtil DlbOu. Inc stacker found
justification IL he example of other slackcrs.
Murnuring and discomfort filled the air.
There was delay in assigning men 20 their
proper places IN the national defense. There
was delay, largely due to the enlistment of
skilled workers. in providing the innumerable
lhlhSs required by a fleet on the high seas
ana by an army in the field. There was de-
lay, because tho problems OF volunteer enlist
meit were so great and so pressing AS TO
postpone other considerations. in learning
some OF the obvious lessons OF the war.
Mr.. Ballour can lind no pleasure in this
recital. inc great credit Britain can claim
Is mat she has learned her lesson and nobly
ana wonderfully risen to military strength
despite. and not because OF. mistakes which
she has made.
Each day OF delay in the adoption of the
ml!!tar! measures which the military skill
o! the nation and OF the world approves NAV
cost US 10000 mon. We must train our
soldiers 20 tight, for in this respect. as in
Others, appropriateness is death. While Con-
gress he2itates, The Kaiser and his generals
laugh.