Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1917-03-29
THE FIRST DUTY OF THE NEW
CONGRESS IS TO PROVIDE
FOR UNIVERSAL MIL
ITARY SERVICE.

For the last two years, since it has
come apparent that we must make
preparations to defend our rights
and to keep enemies from our shores
the German Correspondent has con
lsistently advocated the introduction
of Universal Military Service. The
people seem to have come to realize
the necessity of it, and we believe
they would applaud the Congress of
the United States if it should pass
such a law at its special session to
convene April 2. Urging Congress
to Immediately pass a law providing
for Universal Military Service the
New York American, in its issue of
March %, says in part:
Two bills for universal service
were introduced in the last Congress.
one by the Military Committee of the
Senate and one, prepared by the gem
eral staff of the army, in the House.
The bills differ in detail, but both
| provide for the military training of
all youths, rich and poor alike, six
months during their nineteenth year.
Twelve hundert thousand American
boys in eacn year enter their nine
teenth year. 1t is estimated that
only one-hals of these will be found
fit for military service. This would
give at the end of five years a reserve
army of three million, men between
nineteen and twenty-four years Of
age
Such a reserve OF military strength
would with certainty accomplish
three objects: First, it would make
q large standing army of professional
soldiers unnecessary. Second, it
would greatly improve the physical
manhood of american youths and in
crease the spirit of democracy, be-
cause universal service levels all
social distinction Third, 1T WOULD
MAKE THE UNITED STATES I'M
PREGNABLE AGAINST INVASION.
When the United States is forced
into a war by any great European
Power--we do not speak of Germany
alone--we shall be beset by all the
foes that Power can array against us.
Japan has an unsettled quarrel
witch us respecting our naturalization
and property laws. Canada, Austria
liza and New Zealand have equally
strong or stronger restrictive laws
against Oriental colonization
But Japan does not challenge the
right Of her ally, Great Britain or
her colonies to adopt such restrictive
laws against Japanese immigration.
SHE DOES CHALLENGE THE
RIHGT OF THE UNITED STATES
TO DO so. The most ambitious,
warlike, acquisitive and expanding
Asiatic nation has merely postponed
the settlement until later day" of
this vital question.
We are cordially hated by the
Mexicans, whose nearly 100000
armed bandits confidently believe
that they have twice within three
years forced American troops to
withdraw from their soil
In Germany it is the almost uni
yersal popular belief that the ann
munition and two billions Of money
the allies have received from the
United States alone prevented an
early German victory in this war.
The German Chancellor in the
Reichstag declared that "America's
submission to British control Of it's
commerce is Incompatible with true
neutrality" that Germany has "paid
with her blood on every battlefield"
for the countless materials of war
supplied by America to the entente"
Every American with common
sense will realize that this feeling
against us will long survive the war.
II will be a smoldering fire of deep,
national resentment, always ripe to
burst into fame
In England the feeling is deep
seated that we should have done
much more than we have done, and
that all the war material supplied
has been bought and paid for at very
high prices. All Europe thinks that
to America the war has meant not
merely business, as usual" but
MORE business than usual, and at
exorbitant prices.
This far from the truth, but we
cannot convince any of the belliger-
ents by an appeal to reason, because
each belligerent has it's own fixed
idea--is in state OF mind that Is
not amenable to argument by any
neutral, passive spectator, however
! benevolent.
The replies of all neutral nations
to President Wilson's recent noble
peace plea show how completely the
sentiment Of every neutral is affected
by the influence Of some belligerent.
Clemenceau, the former French
Premier, said of President Wilson's
peace plea:
1T is, perhaps the finest
statement the world has ever
heard of what human beings