Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-05-17

large standing and of but also what other
nations whose time has likely to demand at
hands We not live to ourselves alone either in
war We constantly reflect the influence of international
Probably in decade since the founding of the republic
had military preparedness reached low an ebb as in the
with Ss our sd
the in record speed and leading in the smashing Of the
world.
We spent most Of military and naval time in stand
We the equal OF
world We were protected eecuay from foreign encroach-
splendid ISOLATION Probably never before in our national
had 50 small Proportion Of our men known how to
~ During the past few years rifle clubs have sprung in
different parts Of the country but slight gain in scatter
ing craftsmanship was than offset by the tremendous
military progress made by European nations.
We can now see how European governments and especial
establishments must have looked at with plying gances
a % IN our 4 and MAYA
tackled this nation alone at any time in the past decade we
would have been whipped to standst before we could
When the European war began in July 1914 we and
dwell chiefly the horror and the nexcusabe character of
war; We saw only the material side Of the struggle We could
this conflict destined to achieve for the human in
enlarged vision broader humanity in quckened religious
spirit in making human brotherhood embrace the entire
We did not dream we could be drawn into the human
money galore by furnishing the allies with all sorts of
supplies We have thus allowed practically three slip
by without making adequate defense against foreign
see that if the country had adopted the pro-
gram Of Secretary Garrison would have had army by
this time that would have been available for when
tary plans called for an increase in the u s. regular army
and the Guard and md the the Of these
Congress- appropriated only besgary $4,000 for the de-
yeopment Of aeronautcs The liberalization Of the
the futiy Of that course in connection with the Mexican
date Como hoch oOYn <o hoor IN
While there have been disadvantages as result Of this pro
crastnaton the delay has enabled to profit by the mis-
If we had started big army three years. ago, for
takes OF our nation in the Civil and of Canada in this
result the burden not been evenly distributed It
is claimed that the Province Of Quebec which includes
Of men Many college students have volunteered While the
idle Of the population Of Canada has largely remained
as of s
Tnquesonaby means the early adoption of the proposition
military duty in this crisis the prohibition of intoxicating
The advantages of this plan readily appear It does not
mean universal service but it embodes the principle of
ton Untold wealth will not enable any man to dodge nor
will position make it possible for to shrk his military
or other duty in war to ,, his country
100000 was 50 often the case in Civil and with
opposition to the Roosevelt plan is political nevertheless
there is sound fundamental principle involved If Roosevelt
is allowed to raise army probable in of
Saturdays House vote the same privilege not be refused
to am suzer Of New York.
There is already plenty of under the army bill for
volunteers in the regular army in the National Guard and
on and the President may issue commission to COL
Roosevelt to command them Others but will remain for
the head Of the army and not for Congress when
where and how they shall go.
The system have thus adopted in emergency differs
from that of Switzerland for example, The Swiss military
system is based universal service and those paw
military tax if financially able to do Our system is seen
to be thoroughly democratic with every of military age
doing his bit and it unquestonaby will prepare the way for
the eventual adoption of the Swiss system in the United
ready do military service, and he will be bold world
who then ventures challenge Uncle Sans sword
selling
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