The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1917-10-03
GIVE OUR BOYS a
FIGHTING CHANG ];
viii, Military Training says Wrigley.
Men OF Special Training only can be
Used In Modern Warfare.
(By Wm. Wriglcy, Jr., Chicago.)

(By VIM. Wriglcy, Jr., Chicago)
How fortunate it would have been
had we adopted universal military
training five or ten years ago. 1t
would have meant much in the pres
cnt criSis--it probably would have
kept as out OF the war. But It's no
use to cry over split milk. The Ques-
ton is, What shall we do now? Every |
thoughtful man must feel that ma
ton unable to protect itself promptly
is blind to the tragic possibilities OF
its hccdlcsSncSs. War comes uncX
pcctcdly and, as in our own case, it
is something forced upon an limo
cont bystandcr." For three years VIC
! submitted to insult and injury, until
forbcarancc ceased 10 be virtue and
thcrc was nothing left for us but to
assert or rights and to defend them
No country in the world hates war
more than we do. Only extreme
provocation would induce us to take
UP arms. Experience shows abund-
antly that a pcacc-loving nation is
not safe because of that fact. Bel
gium and some OF the Balkan states
arc evidence Of It,
As the world is constituted, and
has been through thousands Of years
Of strife, there is only one safe plan,
and that is to follow the advice Of
Washington lin time Of peace, pro-
pare for war. II We had done this a
few years ago, we would have saved
billions Of dollars and tens of thous
ands Of lives. 1t is common knowl-
edge in military circles that trained
mon, by knowing how TO take care Of
themselves in camp and in the field,
reduce the mortality and casualties at
least two-thrds, and what is even
more vital, men OF special training
only can be used in modern warfare.
Nationally, we need Il little fore
sight, kccner appreciation of th1
necessity for providing for future con-
tingcncics We cut ice in tho coolest
sort OF weather when nobody wants
ice for We know it will be demanded
a few months later; SO we prepare in
winter, for our comforts during
!, the heated period Of summer.
The plan of universal military
training as outlined in the Chamber
lain Bill would make available at al
times, millions Of young men who
have had sufficient military training
to enable them to become cXccllcn
,,;tb q, nf D1Hitin
al training. This would Safcguart
the nation and prepare it against an.
contingency that would probably aris'
and if one should never arise, tn
4 training and discipline would be TIL
A very best experience that any youn
man could have. 1t would make hin
A stronger physically, more alert men
A tally quicker to sec and to act. AlSt
4 It would increase his earning capacu
> and give him a better chance to wi
A success in his life work. Our boy
4 appreciate this. ] think the majorit
y of them would be glad to take tn
n training.
j War is calamity beyond dcscril
- llOll. hC dic SollS tHtI seiiJ VI w
n young men should be compelled to cI
II gage in it, but there are some thine
U worse than war, and one would be
'h have our country dominated by fo1
al eign powcr-by a rule, OF luthlc!
81 lmilitarism that counts war as 4 regl
y lar business.
n Since the boys may at any time
Nd called upon to defend our COUNT
@ and our flag. we owe it to them
provide them with a careful pr
~ training so that they may perform TN
IA important national function both cf
al cicntly and as safely as possible. v
RA must not be asleep at the switch. TT
t1 responsibility is up to the Amcric;
La citizen and the voters Of this count
to demand tho passage OF the Char
wa bcrlain Bill or some similar measu
"a has already been postponed too Ion
I'D by Congress at its next session.
VA It's time now for action.
81 Organization Counts.
NM | n n y n II