The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1917-04-19
PLEA FOR UNIVERSAL TRAINING

PLEA FOR UNIVERSAL TRAINING
With lessons learned from actual OBJ
seryation IN the battefelds OF Europe
fresh in his mind and convinced that
much OF the horrors OF war could
have been prevented by the proper
kind OF preparedness. Thomas Robins.
secretary to the naval consult
ing board. makes strong
plea for universal training in Ameri-
ca His appeal. which is quite out Of
the ordinary line OF argument. is az
follows:
Il have observed this war at short
range. having lodged shells upon the
European front and having visited the
camps nutrition works and hospitals
OF England and France. / have seen
the wounded and the dead. the widows
and orphans and the ruins not only OF
buildings but OF broad fields which
can never again be titled; none of
the pomp and circumstance OF war but
all Of lis horror.
Again and again / have heard the
remark, If England had only listened
to Lord Robertsi II we had only been
ready this would never have happen.
ed!'
Il quickly became convinced that
what | saw was no morelthe result Of
war than II was Of the paclfist No
BILE buildings which were the work Of
the imagination of the ancient artist
are now in a condition which may
truly be said to be the work OF the
lack OF imagination OF the modern pa
cifist. His smooth fat hand has
wrought as much destruction as the
mailed fist Of the kaiser.
Since returning from battle gcarred
Europe | have travelled our own land
from north to south and from east to
west. Everywhere | find prosperity,
but there IL lacking that presence Of
"a national soul (which may be nothing
but the sense of common unselfish
purpose) which pervaded my days
and nights In Europe. II lies in the
power OF our congress to give our
people that feeling OF d common cause
which alone viii give us strength. |
which will bind the rich to the moor
and the poor to the rich and make
each one OF us feel and know thai we
have a truly great country not be.
cause OF It's resources but because of |
Its ideals and because we have the
strength to make those ideals some
thing more than idle dreams.
We only value that which has cost
us something. Let every young man
give but his little share of time and
work to the United States and he will
become O true patriot The plan pro
posed is so simple, so small in cost
and SO immeasurably great in value
in its favor. Even II no emergency
were now apparent universal training
should be adopted without delay for
the unifying effect that 1t would bring
to our people. and even If we could
see In II no such spiritual benefit 1t
should be adopted to straighten the
backs and fill out the chests Of our
boys and to teach them the
first principles OF hygiene.
There can be but little doubt that
cur congressman are individually in
favor of this measure, but perhaps
tley are not sure Of the attitude to-
wards II Of those whom they represent.
N this case II may be suggested to
hem that they visualize service. In
lne rank are seen those whose faces
are bright with knowledge and en-.
lobled by the desire to serve In the
ranks are the unenlightened.
hose who have never felt the thrill of n
common cause and who have no e
either above or below
themselves in the social scale.
shall We permit this fair land to Of
all an easy prey to the wild beasts b
Which have devoured Belgium and d
ave harried all Of western Europe?"
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