Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-02-02
WILSON ATTACKS
FOES OF MILITIA
REBUKES MARYLAND LEAGUE
FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE.
HITS COMPULSORY TRAINING
President Takes Exception to the
Language Used by Delegation
Declares Whole Matter Will Be
Sifted Thoroughly.

Wilson, speaking to delegation from
the Maryland League for National De
fense, which attacked the National
Guard and advocated universal mill
tary training, rebuked them for their
"unrestrained language" and said they
would have better chance of his sup
port if they were more reasonable in
their attitude
The memorial read to the president
by Maj. Randolph Barton, spoke of the
National Guard system as disgrace"
and failure" 1t urged universal
compulsory military training and serv-
ice. and mentioned the mobilization of
the National Guard along the Mexican
border as an example of ''the failure"
Of the system.
President Wilson told the delegation
that their attitude closed the oppor-
tunity for discussion of the question
and was not helpful.
Delegations representing defense
leagues in Maryland and Massachusetts
laid before President Wilson resolu-
tons urging universal military service.
OCICuuo GHOILS III
The president. discussing compulsory
military service, declared that unques-
tionably physical training was needed
and would accomplish a great deal,
"but it can be had without compulsory
military service" He added that he
was desirous Of doing the wise thing
and that the entire subject was receiv-
ing his most earnest consideration. He
vigorously defended the efforts being
made in congress to build up a proper
military service.
Il do not need to prove to you or
anybody my deep interest in this sub
ject," said the president. 81 will frank
ly say to you l would have been more
Impressed by this memorial if it had
been expressed in more restrained Ian
guage. From some Of the unqualified
statements in this paper 1 must frankly
dissent
II think it due to my colleagues on
the hill (the capitoD to say so at this
of-hand condemnation of the system
which they adopted after long debate
upon the urgency of many of the lead
ing citizens of the country; it is the
least that l can do. You do not COM
mend cause which deserves the most
serious consideration by presenting it
as you have presented it,
Does Not Meet Difficulty.
These things impress me the more
after what we have heard from the
medical societies. Unquestionably ply
steal training is needed and will ac-
complish great deal, but it can be
had without compulsory military serv-
Ice, and compulsory military service
| does not meet the difficulties which
| you have alluded to.
Any brief service in the army of the
United States withdraws men from
civil pursuits just as much as the re-
cent service on the border does. No
service except standing army with
professional soldiers prevents that oc
casional and frequent withdrawal of
men from civil pursuits.
THAT may be inevitable, but what
you are proposing does not meet the
difficulty which you condemn These
things are of the utmost intricacy and
difficulty and are not to be settled ex.
cathedra.
"And yet, notwithstanding the fact
that think you have gone too far,
will say to you that, Of course, this will
have my most earnest consideration. II
Is receiving serious consideration with
the country, and we in Washington, OF
course, share and feel the great tide;
Of opinion in the United States.
Rebukes Docmatic Opinion.
ST am sure that. speaking, if 1 ma,
speak, for the members of the hous,
Of representatives and of the senate
we are all desirous of doing the wise
thing for the defense of the country
and it must and it will be done, but W.
must not close debate by having tot
dogmatic an opinion as to n method.
Il know that you will understand tn,
spirit in which I make that protest ant
this statement"
Senator John Walter Smith of Mary
land accompanied the delegation.
The memorial which aroused tn
president contained detailed criticism
VI IIIc SSluilIS VI LIic = u&ll u " tile MeA
lean border and said it was "utterl,
and absolutely inadequate for the de
fense of the country"
The spectacle now presented on tn
Mexican border" was referred to, an
it was declared that there we hav
men doing police duty who ought neve
to be called upon for military servic
away from their homes, except as
last resort"
''It is a scandGious waste of publ
money" was another statement in tn
memorial. such a system is a dis
grace to civilized people," it cor
tinued.