The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1917-04-18
VOLUNTARY AND COMPULSORY.

y TO problems are solved ny :tne war
departments decision to expand the
regular army and the national guard
to full war strength by enlisting vol
anteers>for the period Of the war. The
deterrent erect Of the seven year term
81 service is removed, leaving would
be recruits free to tender their service
to the government with assurance OF
prompt release at the close OF the war
And the laundering Of congress to ex'
haust the possibilities Of the volunteer
SYSTEM before authorizing compulsory
service Is gratifed. There will, OF
course, be protests against the plan
on the part Of certain advocates of a
( large staining army who feel that
now is the time to organize one on
bermaneiit lines.
A Boom In volunteer enlistments
may be expected Just as soon as
the war department authorizes en-,
iistinents for the regular army or
the militia for the period of the
Var. g, Every recruiting officer has
heard frequently of the reluctance
81 our young men to tie up their
future for seven years as stipulated by
I the federal enlistment formula. Many
/. patriotfc youngsters who do not care
for the army as vocation are willing
to serve their Uncle Sam as long as
he may have. emergency need for them.
But that Is as far as their inclination
gpest With the passing of the proba-
bilityN 0f active service they want to
get back TO their work in private life.
II they are to figure in the federal re-
serve army in peace time they want
Z to take their chances with everybody
j else under universal service. Such
sentiments are far from discreditable
sto those who entertain them, 1t is
ven that the long term wet blanket
on this patriotic desire to volunteer
f0f the war Shall be removed. ~
Within the last week rather extern
size objection has developed in con-
gress to the idea of authorizing con-
I scrfptfor before 1t has been demon
Fskrated that an army Of the required
strength cannot be raised under the
volunteer system heretofore relied
ilp6n. The inspiration for this objec-
ahon is largely sentimental. The feel
Ing is that the patriotic spirit works
out most effectively under voluntary
service History shows that large ar
miles we're raised under that principle
IN the ciyil war, and there is disposi-
sfion To abide by tradition. Then, too,
the voluntary plan restricts active
service to those WHO approve the war
and are. ready to risk their lives to
cooperate with the government in
what II Is attempting to accomplish
sthfough war. On the practical side
the argument is all with the advo-
Gates Of compulsory service. 1t imposes
the burden 81 supporting the govern
ment equally upon all, regardless OF
class OF personal opinions. Selective
transcription enables the government
to assign everybody to the place in
witch lie can be most useful, whether
as a fighting man or as factor in
the Equally Important Industrial army.
Whatever the merits Of the .volun
fary and compulsory plans may be,
tfe present war department program
zives both a chance. Under the
scheme now in cont emplation about
100000 men will find opportunity to
;mrolt. In the regular army and the
iuifd f6r the period Of the war. BY
his process the army, will BE brought
o total war strength Of $4,000. In