Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-05-14
Volunteers for France.


The vital decision recently reached by
Congress is that our great peoples army,
which is to aid in bringing peace to the
world now and is to help to enforce
world peace in the future, shall be Gre
ated by governmental selection Of the
fttest under system which recognizes
universal obligation, and shall not be
created through the process of individ-
ual volunteering.
While the struggle between the volun-
teer and the selective systems was 60
ing on neither side could safely make
any concession to the other. Until the
nation through Congress had expressed
itself Enthusiastically in favor Of the uni
versA service principle and the selective
draft such volunteer projects as that of
Col. Roosevelt were wisely negatived
Or held in allegiance.
But now that the main issue has been
settled decisively the question again
arises whether the nation will not bene-
ft rather than suffer injury by utiliz-
ing, in addition, the patriotic volunteer
ing impulse among the Americans not
called to service by this war legislation.
In one aspect it is illogical to combine
in the same piece of legislation the Sc
lective draft principle and authorize
ton of the Roosevelt volunteer project.
But If Congress representing the peo-
pie is convinced that the supplementary
volunteer project should be authorized
later, the wise and popular plan is to go
to it now.
One advantage in handling the Roose-
yelt project in connection with the uni
versal service and selective draft law is
that the provision is more likely to be
30 framed under these conditions as to
be consistent with and supplementary to
the universal service law.
One of the main purposes Of the Sc
lective draft is to prevent disruption
Of the country's industrial system by the
inpnlsive volunteering for military
service of those, especially the young,
Who can do the country better service
On the farm or in the factory than in
the trenches.
1t is to be assumed THAT If the Roose-
welt project is made part Of the pend
ing legislation it will be so framed as to
effect minimum of disturbance and in
jury of this sort.
The judgment Of men over thirty
one years Of age concerning their COM
parative fitness to serve their country
rs soldiers or in some other capacity is
likely to be sound. If they are of more
value to the nation where they are, the
fighting impulse is not so apt to sweep
them, patriotically but unreasoningly,
into the ranks. There is not the same
reliance for sound judgment in volun-
teering to be placed in the young men
under twenty-one years of age. The
principle of national selection will as
wisely be applied to these youthful vol
unteers as to men registered for uni
versal service between twenty-one and
thirty-one.
Congress representing the people has
decided in effect that after the general
system founded on universal service and
the seleetive principle has been firmly
established no harm, but real benefit,
will result to the nation from utilizing
for an immediate e1peditionary force
to France the red-blooded Americans
above the CONSUMPTION age who volun-
{ teer for service with Roosevelt and are
physically fit.
The nation is to organize and apply
in order to bring victory all its powers
and resources. One of these resources
quickly available is found in the phys
ieally fit among the volunteers above
the, CONSUMPTION age who respond to
Roosevelt's inspiring cali, or rather to
their country's call whether voiced by
Roosevelt or some one else.
In these days of conservation of mill
tary resources and with France calling
to US for men, even if in small numbers
to be placed quickly on the firing line
the nation accepts gladly Roosevelt's pa
triotic labors as recruiting officer
whose forceful dominating personality
and influence will be of notable service
to his country.
As politics does not prevent Ameri
cans Of all political compilations from
uniting in support of a democratic
President in the conduct of the war
30 politics should not interfere with the
utilization by democratic President OF
the patriotic service of republican O,
progressive, even if honor is to accrue
in the event of success. Mckinley Sent
Lee to Cuba, and Wilson sends Root t.
Russia, and, doubtless, if authorized, will
send Roosevelt to France.
Quick action based upon thoughtful
consideration was demanded upon til,
army bill when the drift was against thu
Roosevelt project. The demand for sucl
action should not be less vigorous wher
the Roosevelt project is favored. Ever,
hour of delay in authorizing definitely
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