Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-22
Country Sees a Light

CONTINENT in favor of compulsory mill
~ tary service, at least in the present
exigency. grows throughout the country.
That il has the support of a large majority
of the people is increasingly evident every
day. That ii will become the law OF the land
also is evident, for the Senate approves the
proposition overwhelmingly. and recent polls
of the House reveal that 200 members, only
eighteen less than majority, are committed
to this measure Of wisdom and justice.
There are 100 members who have declined
to say how they will vote. That at least
eighteen of these will be converted if they
have not already been converted, to the gem
era staff plan admits of no doubt
The swing in Congress is altogether toward
acceptance Of the views of military experts.
A week ago poll of the House showed only
13S votes for the selective draft system
There has been gain Of sixty-two votes in
that period The movement continues
Members Of Congress hearing from tho
folks back home" and they hear also the
voices of reason and experience
The fact is that the propriety of compul-
sorry service operating equally on the whole
population. has become fixed In the public
mind Its obvious fairness appeals to all
With the benefits which this adherence 10
what seems a principle confers on the
country go certain detriments. the most con-
spicuous OF which is a weakening of the
volunteer spirit. We have seen 1t here In
Richmond. Men who are willing to do their
full share in the cause of their country de-
cline to do more than their share Expecting
the army bill TO become law and ready to
answer the call when it comes, they refuse
to anticipate that call.
To The Times Dispatch there Is tragedy in
this. for the spirit of the Virginia of the
sixties is not the spirit of the Virginia OF
to-day. 1t hurts us to observe any lessening
of the old martial impulse, which made Vir-
ginia glorious on hundred fields. None the
less. the change has come. not in this State
only. but throughout the country, and 1t must
be reckoned with. 1t is plain to all that
compulsory service is not only wise and Just
but necessary. The citizen must be sum
moned to fight exactly he is summoned
to pay his taxes or serve on the jury. So
summoned, he will respond. and that he will
do his duty we'll everybody knows
1t is the nations imperative obligation to
organize at once great army adequately
trained. properly differed, supplied with all
the munitions and accessories of war, and
ready for duty in any field Every delay
postpones the termination of the war and
prolongs the period of sacrifice Now that
Germany has become our enemy as we'll as
the enemy of Britain. France, Russia and
Italy, it. is disgracefu for us to play less
than our full part in that enemy's defeat
Calmly TO contemplate the deaths OF thou
sands in our cause is impossible to national
self-respect.
Nor is this all. An army Is as necessary
to the safety of the United States as 1t is the
honor of the United States. Even il the war
should end in six months. which is wholly
improbable, the great questions TO be settled
at the peace conference are vital to this
people, and only great military power can,
or Will. have voice in their decision
Bitter experience has taught us that to
trust to voluntary enlstments, however great
the emergency, is to lean on broken reed