Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1917-04-20

It's students from leaving for any pur-
pose at any time, There Is no posi-
bility of college interfering with any
students right to enlist, But IL a stu
dent desires exemption from any of
the usual requrments for o degree
it ia surely not unreasonable to re-
quire that he apply for such exception
and that he submit the written APP
prova of his parent or guardian. This
is all that Middlebury college has
done, and in so doing it is only fulfilling
It's duty both to itsstudents and to those
who are paying for their education.
American parents expect that col
lege will exercise at least a general
oversight over their sons and daugh-
tiers. They would have just cause for
complaint If college should send out
its students to four year enlistment
in army or navy service, and encourage
them thereto by special remission Of
the college requirements, without in
quiry whether such procedure would be
acceptable to those who have entrusted
them to the care of the college should
expect some very embarrassing inter-
views with fathers and mothers if /
failed to make such inquiry.
Your structures seem to be based
also on mistaken interpretations Of
the counsel | have given to students
as to their duties and opportunities
in the present situation. The present
military law provides for the forma-
ton of the Federal Officers Reserve
Training Corps in colleges. Middle.
bury has applied for the establish
ment of unit and we have reason to
believe that in due time our appica-
ton will be approved. In the mean
time we have introduced military in
struction and have secured an in
structor from Norwich university
through the courtesy of Col. Reeves.
Some of our students have already
made good progress in preparation for
the examination for commissions.
The best counsel | can get is that
college men can be of greater value
to their country in this war, and at
the same time find the largest oppor-
tunities for themselves, by taking this
training and preparing for commiss-
sions in the army. The most press
ing need is for army officers and there
is a great shortage of them. The war
department is looking to the colleges
of the country as the most likely
source of supply. Yale, Harvard, Bow
doin, Colgate and many other institu-
tons have advised their students that
their best service will be rendered,
not by immediate enlistment in either
army or navy, but by taking the train
ing prescribed by the war department
for college men No less an authority
than Gen. Wood has said that just now
the best place for collegians is in COL
lege, taking the training that is offered
them there.
| would have been neglectfu of my
duty, both to my country and to my
students, if | had not presented these
facts to them. want them to serve,
but want them to render their ut
most service. England is bitterly re-
gretful today that she allowed Oxford
and Cambridge to empty their halls
into the ranks at the first call. 1t was
noble sacrifice, but it was poor judg-
ment, and poor judgment is never good
patriotism.
AS you have suggested, Mddlebury
college has a noble record to sustain.
am sure that we have the boys here
who will maintain it. But want our
boys to have as honorable a place in
the great conflict as those of other
colleges. ! trust that some will be
found worthy of place at the very
front, under Old Glory when she flies
beside the Trcolor and the Union
Jack. They could well consider the
example of Col. Aldace F. Walker,
'62, who waited until he graduated,
delivered his commencement grafton
in lieutenant's uniform, and at the
age of % commanded the noble
Eleventh Vermont, the largest regi-
ment ever sent out from this state, in
one of the bloodiest battles of the Shen-
andoah valley.
am one of those who feel that we
do not yet realize the size and serious
ness of the task our nation has under
taken. 1t is no time for hysteria or for
sudden leaping at the first service which
offers. 1t is time for every man to
consider carefully where he can render
the largest service and then patiently
get ready for it. AS one responsible
for the counsel of youth | propose to
hold steady and do not believe in so