Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-03-09
SAYS WOMEN PREVENT
YOUNG MEN ENL|ST|NG
Points Out That This Is Real
ly Source Of Danger to
Men In Case Of War

The problem of finding enough re-
eruits to fill up the ranks of Company
NJ so that it can meet the requirements
of the United States government and he
retained here, has brought up the pc
euliar attitude of he women of the
Capital City, according to an officer of
the guard here who a1s been facing the
problem for some time and who feels
keenly the embarrassing situation thus
created.
This peculiar attitude is the fact that
women are not giving any encourage
ment to the young men of military age
to train themselves for probably active
service for their country in that most
serious crisis it has faced since the Civil
war. The officer in question did not
doubt the patriotism Of the women but
the fact that there was no encourage
ment given to prepare for what the
future might bring in the way of serv-
ice has kept many young men from en-
listing and securing the training that
would enable him to be Of some benefit
to his country when the call came in
stead of being an actual burden and
dead loss for months after he enlisted
had to be set aside - train him to dc
the things he should have known how
! to do before.
Is Protection to Men.
This officer feels that the women are
not as willing to sacrifice in peace time
! the presence of their sons for one night
a week in preparation that may event
ually keep the peace, when in wartime
they would have to sacrifice all hls
time, and without preparation, probably
his life.
War is not wanted by the military
men any more than by the women, ac
cording to this officer, but the hard
realities OF the facts are not to be de
MED, and war-clouds threaten the peace
of the country. He said war has be
requires trained men to be able to com
bat successfully.
This officer said he realized the wo
men wished to keep their sons anC
brothers with them at their firesides
He declared the sons and brothers wish
ed to be at that same firesidc, but tn
safety Of the country, and the peace o
their homes, was threatened, and h
} could not see why the women were no
willing and eager for the young men t
learn haw to defend their firesides an,
! be ready at once instead of having t
| go into trainiAg camps for months be
fore being fit to go into the field
Ali Should Be Trained.
He wished to impress on the mind
of the mothers and sisters of Salem tina
it takes more than uniform and a gu
to make a soldier in these days. H
declared it required months of training
of instruction, in the many thing
) requisite for the trained soldier A
, though he admired the patriotic fervo
of the young man who enlisted when th
bands were playing and the flags flyin
and the crowds cheering, he knew tn
wise man was the one who enliste
| when there was peace and who studie
] to fit himself to be efficient when th
call came.
Accordingly, he wished the women (
2 Salem would look at the matter from h
5 viewpoint and see the necessity for I'll
$ young men going into the Salem con
T pany, getting the necessary trainin
: and save the organization for the Ca
= ital City, which now has a reputatio
e as being the first in the state.