The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-05-22
FIXED MILITARY
POLICY IN u. 5.
IS ESSENTIAL
So Declares Abbot, Field
Sec. of Universal Mil
itary Training League

According to Geo. NJ. Abbott, field
secretary of the Universal Military
Training league of Chicago, who is
in Fargo for day or two In the in
| terest OF his organization, the best
| plan for a future fixed military policy
for the nation Is universal compulsory
| military training along the lines sTlR-
gested by the Chamberlain bill-Sen-
ate bill No. now before the u, s..
senate military affairs committee. Mr..
Abbott says:
Congress should support the presi-
dent heartily in his emergency war
measures but these measures will not
solve our military needs except tenn
porarily. They will not solve the
problems of our nations future safe
ty and stability. Nothing will do this
so completely and in so democratic a
manner as universal military training,
as q permanent measure OF military
policy for the nation. Insure the ma
tons future stability by adopting as
a fixed military policy the sane and
moderate plan of universal military
training outlined in the Chamberlain
bill, which was reported favorably to
the late session of the u. S. senate by
it's committee on military affairs,
which had the measure under consid-
Grafton for months and had called be-
national life; including the most
prominent educators, professional men,
pacifists, financiers, the great leaders
of labor and the highest ranking army
and naval authorities.
Six Months Training.
"The Chamberlain bill contemplates
six months period of intensive mill
itary training for all young men when
they reach the age of nineteen, who
a ra T1hvsicallv md mentally Ar Tpdar
the direction of u. s. army and naval
officers and in military camps desig-
mated by the government. The ex-
pense of the training is to be borne by
the nation.
1.-THE plan being universal in its ap-
plication cannot be >evaded by the
payment of money; hence, the rich
boy and the poor boy share alike in a
general education and training for the
defense of the nation, which will go a.
long way toward breaking down caste
| and building up better morale among
our citizens because it will create a
genuine spirit of universal RESPONSE
bility and brotherly fellowship.
The plan is patterned after the
system that has kept Switzerland out
| of war for generations as no nation
feels like attacking that country know
ing that it has such large citizen
soldiery- reserve army that can be
easily called to the colors in case of
emergency. The changes made in the
Swiss system for the Chamberlain bill
were to adapt it to the needs Of this
country.
| Under this proposed bill about $780,
900 young men will be trained each
year; after the training has been COM
pleted they will return to their homes
| to engage in the pursuits of industry.
| The expense to these young men and
to the economic life Of the nation will
be small as at the age named their
earning capacity is at it's lowest point
and will be more than overbalanced
by their better health, mentality, vi
rility, ambition and increased efticien-
cy.
AboIishes Standing Army.
1.-THE spirit of militarism is not fos-
tered by a. system which sends its
trained soldiers back to civil pursuits.
This does away with big standing
army, which, and which alone, breeds
militarism.
with the lesson of our present I'M
preparedness before us, is 1t not the
part Of wisdom to so legislate that our
country may be safe always? We
know that a trained citizenry subject
to call is the best safeguard against
war. Let us get that system under
way now. A system that furnishes us
with a perfect defense and also builds
up the health, the minds, character,
efficiency and manhood of our boys is
certainly worth while.
I'VE now have compulsory educa-
ton and compulsory taxation; let us
extend that system to the most i'm
portant factor that bears on the future
existence of our nation-its defense.
Write to President Wilson that you
believe in the principle Of universal
military training as the best means to
secure a fixed military policy for the
future of this country; also write or
telegraph your U. s. senators and rep
resentatives in congress that you not
only ask but expect them to work and
vote for the passage of the Chamber
lain BILL"