Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-18
Make the Cantonmcnts Permanent,

\VTHAT OF the future? When the conflict
w which is convulsng the civilized world.
and into which the United States is preparing
TO throw the full measure OF it's strength.
shall have ended and the battling hosts have
returned to their homes and peaceful pur-
suits. what protection against wars to come
will the country have? We dare not even
hope that this is the last great war The
day when the sword shall DO Sheathed for all
time is still far distant. We are overcoming
obstacles which a few months ago seemed al
most unSurmounta ble-obStacleS OF the coun-
trys appropriateness into which il had been
luled through years Of peace and isolation
and we are nearly ready to stand shoulder
to shoulder with the other allied nations on
the battle field. SO much for the war OF to-
day. but how about the war of Tomorrow?
When the next struggle comes. as inevitably
it must. it should not find the United States
in the military condition which existed when
President Wilson took up the gauntlet Ger
many had insolently thrown down but it
will unless the lesson OF bitter experience is
learned and immediate and adequate steps
be taken for definite. continuing military
policy splendid start has been made.
For the existing emergency $1,000 900 men
have been registered. and from these the ma
tons armed forces are being drawn and
trained But every military step that has
been taken has been for the present-therc
Is exhausted another will be necessary
There is no continuing program. The draft
law as il stands was framed purposey TO
avoid any indication of continuing policy
Should peace be declared to-day. the United
States would be practically without an army
In that respect il would be in worse condi-
ton than when declared On the
cessation OF hoStilities. the great bulk OF the
regular army and the National Guard would
he ptjile1 IN Immediate of
the National Army also would be entitled to
discharge, while the entire National Guard
the countrys sole reliance in the past as a
land reserve. would disappear being dis
charged into civilian life. and not returned
to State service. For new war new legis-
lation would be required. and we would have
to start all over again. beginning just at the
point where President Wilson started on last
April 6.
a solution OF this problem has been offered
by the National Association for Universal
Military Service. Ii proposes that the
present draft law be amended so as TO in
clude boys OF the ages OF nineteen TO twenty
one. but with the provision that none shall
be called into active military service until the
latter age shall have been reached This
a amendment, Endorsed by the general staff and
by leading military men and citizens in every
state. would give continuing policy. and
under its operation trained men would be
Tead! TO step into the saps whenever they
might he needed. II would be the first step
toward universal training. after the Swiss
system ana would be the countrys best in
surance against UMPIRE aredness in any future
emergency such as Germany forced upon it.
Hundreds OF millions OF dollars have been
III building cantonments for the
National Army. When peace comes these
vast plants viii be al the countrys DISPOSAL
snail they be permitted 10 go to wasteo
Here, then. is the perfect equipment for uni
Tersai training. With practically no expense,
these caEtonments can be converted into per-
manent Institutions and with them in con-
tlnuous service training young men in the
arts OF war as vel! as in the arts of proper
H'lhg IN peace, the great and determining
foundation OF national military policy will
have been laid Without doubt the canton
ments should be made permanent