New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-26
"Unrestrained Language
of Defence League Rouses
Presidents Ire
ADMITS THE NEED
OF PHYSICAL TRAINING
But Thinks 1t Can Be Had
Without Universal
Service

Washington, Jan. 20 - rresiue"'
Wilson, speaking to-day to a delegation
from the Maryland League for Ma
tional Defence, which attacked the Ma
tional Guard and advocated universal
military training, rebuked them FOR
their "unrestrained language" and said
they would have better chance Of his
support if they were more reasonable
in their attitude.
The memorial, read to the President
by Major Randolph Barton, spoke Of
the National Guard system as dis
grace" and failure" II urged uni
versal compulsory military training
and service, and mentioned the moolll-
cation of the National Guard along the
Mexican border as an example or 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.
Later it was made clear at the White
House that the Presidents remarks
we're not to be taken to mean that he
had made up his mind in opposition 10
military training. He is waiting TO ex-
anime the details of bills to be laid be-
fore him before reaching decision.
Physical Training Needed
II do not need to prove 20 you or
anybody my deep interest III TINS SUP
iect." said the President. 81 will frankly
say to you / would have been more I'M
pressed by this memorial II 1t had been
expressed in more restrained language.
From some OF the unqualified state
ments in this paper | must frankly DIS
sent. | think il due to my colleagues
on the hill tthe Capitol) to say so AZ
this offhand condemnation OF the sys-
tenn which they adopted after long de-
bate upon the urgency % many OF me
leading citizens Of the country; 1t Is
the least that ! can do. You do not
commend cause which deserves the
most serious consideration by present
ing il as you have presented II.
"These things impress me the more
after what we have heard from the med
zeal societies. Unquestionably, physi-
cal training is needed, and will accom-
pIisb great deal, but it can be had
without compulsory military service,
and compulsory military service does
not meet the difficulties which you nave
alluded 20.
ANY brief service i'm 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 a standing army with
professional soldiers, prevents that oc--
casiona and frequent Withdrawn 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 ut
most intricacy and difficulty and are
not TO be settled eX cathedra.
Wants to DO Wise Thing
And vet. Notwithstanding the tact
that | think YOU have gone too lar, l
will saw to you that, of course, this
wiz have nv most earnest consldera-
ton. II is receiving serious consldera-
ton with the country, and we IN wash
,nqton. of course, share and feel the
Great tides of opinion in the united
States. | am sure that, speaking, IL
may speak. for the members OF the
House Of Representative and OF the
senate. we are all DESTROYS of doing the
wise thing for the defence OF the eoun-
try. and il must and it will be done,
hut we must not close debate by nav
inc too dosmatic an opinion as to a
method
81 know that YOU will understand the
spirit in which make that protest and
this statement"
Senator John Walter Smith, of Mary
land. accompanied the delegation,
The memorial which aroused the
President contained a detailed critl-
cism of the sending of the Guard to
the Mexican border, and said it was
"utterly and absolutely inadequate Tor
the defence of the country the
spectacle now presented OH the Mex
lean border" was referred to. and 1t
was declared that there we have men
doing police duty who ought never to
be called upon for military service
away from their homes, except as last
ro-ort y