New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-23
Failure of Militia System
Plain, He Tells Senate
Committee
PLATTSBURG IDEA
THE ONLY SOLUTION
$4,000 Will Train at Camp
This Year, He Informs
Secretary Baker
Hmm he rnbnns Rureaal

Washington. Jan. 22.-New YORK has
the best National Guard in the United
States. but the entire National Guard
system Of defence has failed IN every
instance when it has been put to the
test. was the emphatic declaration Of
Mayor Mitchell before the Senate Com
mittee on Military Affairs to-day
Supporting Mayor Mitchell were three
other New Workers, Of the Military
Training Camps Association-Grenvill
Clark. secretary; D. X. Jay and Alfred
Rocker, jr DR.. Henry 5. Drinker'
chairman of the association, and Edwin
Buxton, jr., OF Providence, were also
present and addressed the committee.
Mayor Mitchel's whole argument was
in support of the "Plsttsburg idea OF
a system of universal obligatory mill
tary training and service for the young
men Of the United States, under exclu-
sive Federal control. Obligatory ser
vice. each year training more than a
half million men, as men are trained IN
the Plsttsburg camps, is the only demo-
cratic solution Of the national defence
problem, said the Mayor, but the pres
emit regular army would hardly suffice
IS a teaching force.
National Failure, Says Mayor
THE volunteer system, which in
cludes the National Guard. has broken
down most recently" Mayor Mitchell
said, ain the mobilization last year. We
saw there exemplihed in a minor way
what would result in case this country
were presented with a real national
crisis. where 10 became necessary 70
mobilize half million or a million men
Tor the national defence. The very fact
that Congress is to-day considering
how il must supplement what was done
last year by new legislation is recog-
milton of the fact that what was done
last wear proved q national failure Tor
national defence.
81 have no right TO speak to you
Tor the National Guard. j have never
been a member Of the National Guard.
] have respected it and taken great
interest in its work. | have endeav-
ored 10 promote il. We in New York
Citv take pride in that the National
Guard there is the most efficient in the
United States. That great city has IN
vested millions upon millions OF dollars
I'll, the development of the Nations!
Guard We have high respect for its
personnel. its officers and its men, but
wish 10 say to you that the National
Guard of New York City itself feels
that this system set up by the Hay la"
has proved a failure, and challenge a
Guard upon that question, whatever
may be said TO this committee
Scores Columbia Viewpoint
IF recall Alright, a gentleman COM
ing TO you from Columbia University
attempted 10 point out that universal
military training would be no contribu-
ion TO the general education of the
public In the first place, that point
of view emphasizes as the only things
important in the country Industrial
ism and formal education. No, neither
ndusrialism nor formal education is
ne sole object of American life. II
is lust that point. that money making
is The only thing TO be taken into con
sideration in dealing with this great
question Of national defence tina.
makes for bad citizenship.
"Wc, who live in New York have
some understanding Of the point OF
view of that geat body Of our citizen
ship yearly recruited through immi-
grafton. We understand, / think a
little. the point Of view of the immi-
grant lie comes TO the United State
with an idea that America is an oppor-
tunity. a means of escape from certain
conditions, and, of course, that Is
right
at is q haven and it is a great in
dividual opportunity, but the thing that
must be borne i'm on him, if he is to be-
come "a real American. a useful, loyal
patriotic citizen, is that being an Amer
lean is not only an opportunity but an
obligation; that citizenship carries
something with il as an obligation to