Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-03-08

yided by an alliance of strong natlons.
Since then our country has reason
and need for maintaining a large mod
ern navy ready for instant service and
a large reserve of young men ready to
be called out, it ought TO claim from all
its Young men universal military train
ing and service. believe strongly
that such a system is absolutely ne
cessary if we are to have adequate ma
tional defense. There should be moth
ing voluntary in rendering military
service to the country any more than
in paying taxes. With equality of OPP
portunity and privilege goes equality
of obligation. Equality of opportunity
and obligation are the foundation of
true democracy. Switzerland and Aus
itralia, both countries advanced
democracies, have met this problem in
essentially the same way. From early
boyhood their young men are given
military training as a necessary part
of their education at a time of life
when they can afford the time and
have the least responsibilities. When
I they reach majority they have had
their training and go into the reserve.
Ignorant, unframed patriotism is not
regarded as sufficient for their ideal of
a citizens duty to his land. The
Swiss or Australian system with such
notifications as to make 1T applicable
to our conditions would benefit the
nation and individual alike. 1t would
provide for the country. at compare
lively small expense, large reserve
that could be called out Immediately I'M
time of war. trained and equipped. The
self control and discipline which goes
with such training would be highly
conducive to the moral, mental and
physical betterment of our youth in
time of peace, and would increase the
industrial efficiency of the men thus
| trained.
a system of universal training and
service is a peace measure. Should we
adopt a comprehensive plan OF uniyer-
sal service do not believe any nation
would venture to attack us. Should we
fail then all history is false if there
| is not in store for us day of terrible
awakening go back with me into the
msts Of history and you will find that
the nation whose military service was
rendered by all its citizens never fail
cd to destroy the nation who left it's
wnfare to such of its citizens or for
eigners as it could persuade to volun
tAily serve it.
! Two examples will suffice: one an
ciont; one transpiring at the present
moment.
| Nothing is more conducive to reflcc-
ton than to wander over the battle
fields Of Italy, on which Hannibal, who
was q more consummatc general than
any man in Rome. held the Romans
at bay for Is years.
| Vet in TIE end Carthage far greater
in wealth than Rome, persisted.
It's temples, houses and Notifications
were leveed to the ground by the Ro-
mans, its site was dedicated to the in
fernal gods, and al mankind was for
hidden to dwell thereon.
Today China is practically Il vassal
of Japan.
Tomorrow it will he little more than
"a province of that well organized, pa
triotic and opportunist nation
Why?
In Japan every man is a patriot.
| | mean by that that every man eX-
poets TO serve his country, to the ut
most Of his capacity whenever his
country asks it,
The whole nation is welded into one |