The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-05-05

BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington. May 4.-[Special. l-For
the first time since the Revolution the
United States is learning what it
means to be involved in a war allied
with other nations. Even in the Rev
olution the government as then con-
stituted was the principal factor.
In the present conflict. while this
country is of tremendous Importance
to the allies, 1t enters the war as an
assistant, rs a helper, and not because
it is fighting for its life, as are the
countries of England, France and
those associated with them. At the
same time the United States has been
made to feel by beth Great Britain and
France through the special embassies
that this country is taken into full fel-
lowship and hat it does not need In
any way to play second fiddle in the
great conflict, which will continue un-
til Germany and her allies are de
feated.
Memorable Scenes
Memorable scenes have been enacted
in the capital of the United States by
reason of the visit of the distinguished
men representing Great Britain and
France. The manner in which these
special ENJOYS have been received and
their welcome by the people of the
United States have been of IA character
to impress those who were privileged
TO witness them with the fact that Il
great struggle is going on. something
that we have not been able To realize
at this distance from the scene of con
t1ict. We have been In a measure en-
abled to understand how highly the
assistance of the United States Is ap-
preciated by the two principal nations
engaged in the war with Germany and
how much it means to those nations
that this government and its people
are ready to aid them with all the
means under its control and that
money and men will be used to the ut
most To carry on the war in which
they have played such a valiant part
for more than two years and a half.
A Striking Contrast.
Ii has been something of a revela
ton to the people of the United States
to observe the manner In which the
men connected with the foreign gov
ernments have gone directly to the
people of this country through the
newspapers by talking freely to the
] ranragan IA fiupG Of fhn fhnrGanAl IF
papers and telling them of their aims
and hopes and the objects of their
missions to this country.
These ENJOYS are not only accredited
and have been ia private consultation
with the officials OF the United States
government. but they have talked di-
rectly to the people and have shown
no desire to conceal the main objects
of their missions. This has been in
striking contrast with certain forms of
censorship which have been applied i'm
England and i'm France and to some
extent extended to this country.
Confidence In the ENJOYS.
While a great deal OF secrecy was
maintained about everything pertain.
ing TO the departure and arrival Of the
two embassies. which we all under.
stand was done for the purpose of in.
surfing the safety of the men from
covert attacks, when they once appear.
ed In the United States and in the cap
ital there has been no effort at con
cealment. and the widest publicity has
been given to their views and TO the
negotiations so far as secrecy was not
imperative. All of this has tended tC
give the people a great deal OF conf
dence In the ENJOYS and resulted in q
general feeling to help them in every
way in making the United States
partner In the great enterprise which
is OF such worldwide Importance.
Sees a Military Autocraey.
Congressman Huddleston of Alabama
sees the possibility of a great military
autocracy established in this country
by reason of the methods that have
been adopted for the organization OF
the army and navy upon a war basis
He told the house not long ago that
the tendency of the academies at West
Point and Annapolis were such as tC
develop a military autocracy in this
country. He said that it was difficult
for boys to get into these military in
situations and that 1t virtually resolved
itself into academies for only those
with means and influence. As a large
proportion of the students of the acad
emies are sent there under competi
tive examinations in the various states
! and districts from which they come
! 1t would seem that the Alabama con
t gresham is somewhat unnecessarily
alarmed.
How to Train Troops.
Some of those who have been in Eng
land and France and have given atten
; ton to war matters suggest that The
best thing that could be done would
be to put a division of American troops
ton French soil and drill them. On,
!. man SAYS that there are English ant