Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-20
Compulsory Service Without Delay

DRESIDENT WILSON takes the right
l course--the only course, ndeed---,n re-
fusing to compromise with Congress on the
Cha mberlain army bill. That bill must be
passed. 1t must he passed without substan-
tial amendment 1t must be passed without
quibbling or delay.
When the war revenue bill was under dis
cusson, Congressman talked glibly OF con-
senting Ito take the advice OF experts"
That wisdom their part, for when
the country plans to raise billions OF dollars
and 10 use this money where 1t will be OF
largest advantage in the prosecution OF the
war, not one Senator or Representative III
ten is capable of adding anything of merit
to the discussion. The war revenue bill
passed the House and Senate without dis
senting vote, and trust the President and
leave 1t to those who know" were the
slogans which brought about this unanimty.
If the problem Of raising and spending
money to meet war emergency is task
for experts the problem Of raising and utiliz-
ing armies demands the same sort of talent
in even greater degree. The Judgment OF
the amateur strategist is OF real value.
President Wilson leans on the advice of the
general staff of the army and of those men,
bers of his official family who have given
these questions the most intensive thought
He has had the advice also Of military en-
perts of the nations joined with the United
States for the defeat of Prussian autocracy.
The decision he has reached is not a snap
Judgment, but the inevitable result of long
and patient consideration. That il was
reached reluctantly all who understand MIR
Wilson'S character we'll know, but all who
understand his character know also that this
product Of painful and laborious thought will
not he abandoned.
There Is neither justice nor sense In the.
effort of the House Committee on Military
Affairs to pass the buck" by providing for
another trial Of the volunteer plan. We
are trying it now, and, so far as Virginia is
concerned, ii makes the heart sick The
President is not trying to evade RESPONSE
bility. He accepts it. He tells Senators and
Representatives. in person. that he demands
the instant application Of the principle OF
universal service, and no tells tho country
the same thing. Members Of Congress who
desire to hide themselves in tho Presidents
shadow may do so. The country will under
stand and the country Will not care
Only the fool talks OF conducting this war
as though it, were game of ping-pong If
our awakening has not yet come, it is de-
laycd, not prevented We are in this war 10
win, and winning involves the expenditure or
the whole national energy. For our preserva-
ton, as we'll as TO safeguard the rights and
liberties of mankind, We must win.
In our cause men are dying by the thou
sands and tens of thousands every day. The
banks of tho Somme and tho Aisne are red
with their blood Delay is more than dan
gerous; it is criminal.
Why should Congress hesitate? How can
Congress hesitate? The general staff saws
universal service is necessary to our safety
The President takes the responsibility. The
people demand action Act Congressmen
for your country's honor and your own.