Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1917-05-10
~ F. =. sTREETER

"Y0ur Country Needs YOU"
If the commissions sent here from
England and Germany do nothing else,
they will have accomplished an i'm
portant duty in waking the people of
the United States up to some idea of
what they may expect. They are CIV
ing valuable information to the au-
thorities in this country, gained
through bitter experience ut home.
We must appreciate that Germany
was the one and only government in
shape to vigorously prosecute the war
when it began. Germany had been
laying her plans for just such move,
and her efficient system of organiza-
ton made it possible for her to gain
the first advantage. Only the acct
dent of an unexpected check given
them by the little handful of Belgians
saved Paris. The French, through
sheer necessity, had something of a
military organization patterned after
the German plan. They did nobly in
getting under way as soon as they did.
England was the laggard of them all,
and found herself much in the same
position as the United States is at
this time. During the years of the
war when there was always grave
danger that we would have to do our
part, little effort was made to get in
shape. Now, all is changed. The
English and French commissions have
explained much important detail to
our government in Washington. Our
plans are being laid accordingly. Ev-
en- the terrible sacrifice of our own
Civil War, coming as it did because
of inexperience and lack of prepara-
ton, has shown up many things to be
guarded against. One of the most
serious drawbacks to an efficient mill
tary organization was the old system
of offering the raw recruits. Dur
ing that war compay after company
was offered as unit to the govern
ment for service. They were recruit
ed in communities, and prominent men
were put in command. Experience
was not essential. lncompetency in
high places resulted. Now, the gov
ernment has a new method that prom
Uses considerably better results. The
raw recruits that will be called to the
color from time to time will find off
GERS with some experience, ut least,
and generally fitted for the work. Be-
ginning the middle of this month
twenty-five thousand men will 20 into
intensive training in camps through
out the United States. They willhave
been chosen from the list of volun-
teers that promises to considerably
exceed that number. All will be men
of general educational qualifications
as we'll as general business training
Many of them will have had some mil
itary training. From these twenty
five thousand, after three months OF
intensive training, ten Thousand will
be commissioned. Then, when the first
five hundred thousand recruits are
assembled under the CONSUMPTION pro.
visions, ten thousand men of more
than ordinary training will be with
them. While the men are being whip.
ped into shape, these officers will be
improving their training, and, wher
the first five hundred thousand go tt
the front, they will be in fairly gooc
shape, considering the speed with
which the whole thing must be &C
complished.
Reports to date indicate that there
is fine response to the demand Of
these training camps. The govern
ment is being given a chance to ex'
ercisc some choice, instead of being
forced to take whoever apply. While
the machinery for putting the con-
scription into operation is being per.
fected, these men will be getting theil
training and instructions.
Another thing that We are noticing
in the daily press is the constant ref.
renee to the vast toll of ships being
taken by the German submarines
There is no doubt that the submarine
question is serious one. There il
no doubt that Germany has reached
the point where she must rely mainly
on the submarine branch of the ser.
vice. For two years she has beer
fevcrishly providing submarines fol
this service. And, while it is well fol
us to realize the peril, there is nc
reason to become frenzied with fear
It would seem that the constant ref
erence to this submarine matter is
to wake up the people rather than to
convince the world that the Allies
are actually losing hope. They are
not demoralized They are simply
profting from former mistakes Of
Understanding possibilities, and they
are are warning the people Of the