New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-23
The Second Draft, and
Universal Training

In a recent editorial. written by the Col
onel in THE Kansas City Star" he not
only attacked Secretary Baker, but also
had his fling at the President. Thus:
President Wilson speaks in military mat
ters through his Secretary Of War. The sole
importance Of the Secretary of Wars report
comes from its being the official declaration
Of the President. ] discuss it as such. Ac-
cording TO the reports in The New York
World the Secretary OF War states that he
does not favor universal military training ss
a permanent policy
"Nr Wilson's Secretary, therefore. takes
what is in effect the position Of Mr. Bryan.
which was pcturesquely phrased as being
that a million men can at need spring 20
arms overnight The Administrators atti-
tude is less picturesquely expressed. But If
is precisely as futile and as unspeakably mis-
chievouS from a standpoint Of permanent
national interest
Moreover. it is taken at the very time
when the disastrous effect OF the Administra-
TONS policy Of complete unpreparedness is
being shown by the admissions of General
Crozier on the first day of the Congressional
investigation.
"Mr Bakers report, Mr. Brysns theory.
and the things already shown by the Con-
gressional investigation dovetail into one
another. They stand in the relation Of cause
and effect The Administration now officially
and complacently announces that the policy
which at this very moment has proved dis
astrous is 10 be persevered in for the
future and therefore assumes complete re-
sponsbility for every blunder and delay, and
for all the misconduct, and announces that
II. IL. L.. oil &c lie
conduct have taught us nothing, and that we
arc to amble onward in the same futile path
until disaster overtakes us.
"Mr. Wilson'S Administration officially de-
clares that we shall persist in our own folly
until we are betrayed in the mortar Of dread
full calamity
"The Administration now announces that
we are not to alter this policy, and that we
are TO continue the do-nothing policy of re-
fusal to prepare. If the American people
follow the lead thus given them, they will be
guilty of criminal folly
The principal idea in the minds of men
who think as Secretary Baker does is that
there will be no war hereafter, accord
ing to "The Chicago Tribune" which de-
clares:
"Our government policy is TO hope for the
best. and not be prepared for anything eX-
cept realization Of IDEAL conditions. If the
altruistic plans fail We fail. To hope for tho
best and be ready for the worst is rational
scheme which seems to be out of considera-
ton.
Argument with Mr. Baker would be in
vain When men will not be changed in their
opinions by so great blow to their hopes
this war. and when they will not learn from
the terrible struggles the United States is
making to fight for its own safety they will
learn nothing from argument.
I'VE must hope, and do hope, that Congress
is not so imperviously set in opinion If a
world court should be established as the re.
suit Of a victory against Germany the United
States will not be a less responsible party to
the agreement if it is 3 strong party. If no
agreement changing the forms OF interns-
tionsl dealings is reached, the United States
will he safe by its own efforts. Universal
service will not make the United States OPP
posed to peace. 1t will make it safe against
efforts to break the peace. d.
Universal military service. for which the
Administration will not ask legislation. is "A
peace measure, not war measure 1t not
only would insure the United States, but it /
would promote civil and social qualities !
which the nation needs. 1t would prevent
waste, not make it,"
Hearsts New York American" OBJ
serves:
az our country had enjoyed universal mill
tary service ten years ago, it might beyond .
all doubt or question have sent one million .
soldiers to the battlefelds of France in June
and July, whose tremendous additional man
power might have swept the German trenches
backward to the Rhine and ended the war.
This country wishes no such IFS in an
other great emergency that may come to her
with the rapidly advancing years. People Of
the United States will not forgive any lag
gard craftsmanship that fails to prepare our
motherland for this possible emergency"