The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1917-05-25
When Experts Disagree

TT is to be expected that differences Of opinion
and disagreements as to methods will delay our
national preparations at this important epoch of
our history. That this should be true is the great
weakness of democracy waging war. 49,.
However were the grave questions OF policy
referred to body composed Of military men, such
as the general staff of the army, still could not
hope to obyiate this fault In illustration OF this
point theHiews Of two major generals of the army.
both of whom have, served on the general staff,
may be contrasted a %MESt 49, R
In the March number of the North American Re-
view, in an article entitled Our Defective Military
System" MAJ. -Gen. w. Hs Carter US. A-,retired,
writes Of an outstanding policy Of the war depart
ment as follows: 80, ...... . a."
The grating upon our military system Of the citi
zens' training camps is exeusable only means of
arousng public opinion as to shortcomings They
of great value to those who participate in them,
but without form Of permanent military organ
fzaton, or enlistment, they constitute no available
military asset and will die a natural death
the enthusiasm incident to the present world war
conditions wears away. .'.'. t',. 49, r,g
As is we'll known the citizens training camp
idea originated in Gen Leonard Woods depart
ment and the first camp was held at Plattsburg,
under his immediate command. General Wood
has always championed these camps, and his arti-
Gle in The Century, for May, may we'll be tasen as
an answer to General Carriers criticism. general
Wood writes as follows, under the title "Platts-
burg and Citizenship" .s7v-
Plattsburg is simply a term, generic term, which a
applies to all camps where the Platsburg spirit and
the Plattsburg method of training prevail. The
charge his citizenship duty better in war, and to inn
press him the fact that he of the RESPONSE
BILE units of the nation. 3"
The Plattsburg camps established in 1913 The
second series OF camps were drawing to a close in
August, 1914, when the present great began The
olI ahEnan NJ fhaaa
with the war, although their growth been stimu-
lated by it, the has enabled many our people
to visualize the possibilities of the future and has
brought home to them realization of the need of a
peace insurance in the form of national preparedness
But preparedness for military service was only one
of the things aimed at at Plattsburg A governing
motive behind it national service citizenship re-
sPonsibity an appreciation of the basic principle Of
lege and opportunity goes equality of obligation
The above quotations show that military men
have differences OF opinion as we'll as members OF
congress; and it is quite conceivable that were
matters Of military policy placed in the hands Of
the general staff, disagreements as to methods
would retard progress in much the same manner
a. at present &.E4
At the present time huge sums are being ex-
rended and authorized for training camps The
legislation just signed by the President authorizes
Selectiye drafts Tor military service of young men
between the ages OF twenty -one and thirty wears
From the lists submitted of men who are to attend
the training camps this year. it is seen that over
three-fourths are above the age limit of the draft
measure, and so ineligible for service under It's
provisions. .. ii M
While it is .undoubted that these older men will
be benefited by the training they will receive at
these camps, and the quality Of their citizenship
will be improved, it seems pertinent to inquire
whetherth the country's ultimate salvation would not
he much more FASTENED by devoting the energy
of its regular army officers and the resources OF its
treasury to the training OF the young men who are
soon to fight its battles h