Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-07-20
ARMY ORA FT TODAY

Before this day closes there will have been selected
out Of the ten million men Of military age In the United
States the smaller group from which will be selected the
100000 who are to constitute the first great army pro-
vided for by law to aid in carrying on the work OF denoc-
racy In the world. Provision is made in the regulations
for the drawing for the selection of sufficient numbers in
excess Of the half million required to allow for exenp-
tons. The men whose names are drawn today will be
entitled to have their claims for exemption considered,
and II they are not exempt for any reason laid down In
the regulations they will be required to report for milf
tary service in accordance with announcements to be made
at once.
The United States is the first of the nations to adopt
military CONSUMPTION applicable to the entire male popu-
lation at the outset of its participation in the war. The
continental nations of Europe have all been on a basis
Of compulsory service for years. When they entered the
war they needed only to apply the regulations then in eff
feet. and the rest was automatic. Changes have been
made in the military laws OF those nations, but they had
at the beginning general and compulsory service.
Great Britain, like the United States, had a standing
army merely large enough for police work. That army,
like our own, was q volunteer organization, and the vol
unteer plan was also used in raising the greater part Of
the force Of five million men of British allegiance who are
now under arms. The case Of Great Britain, however.
was unlike that of the United States. The war came upon
her suddenly and unexpectedly, and found her utterly un-
prepared. The case was urgent. Men must be had at
once. The British public did not realize what the war
meant, and would not have taken kindly to enforced SER
vice. Probably the best method, under the circumstances
was that which was followed. The volunteer system was
again used. and some three or four million men were en-
rolled under 1t. But the system broke down, as it has al
ways broken down when given a severe test, and Britain
q TO feSOEt TO COnscrlptlon. COhScrlptlon at the begin
ming would have been much better had the people been
ready for 1t.
In our own case we were not taken by surprise. For
months it had been evident that IL Germany persisted in
the course which she was following our entrance into the
war was inevitable. While no positive steps of a legisla-
tive nature were taken looking toward a change in our
system prior to the participation Of the United States, the
public mind had been prepared for important changes.
conscription. absolute and universal, was generally rec
ognized as the only fair method. the only democratic
method Of raising an army. And. while a handful Of
trreconcilables in congress strove to defeat the plan, it
was adopted. The new army which we are now raising
is the product of that new system, and in that army will
march, shoulder to shoulder, will fight, and dig. and die,
IT need be, the son Of the millionaire and the son of the
bod carrier on a basis Of exact equality as American cit
izens. The new army, aside from it's fighting qualities.
will be one Of the most impressive object lessons in de-
mocracy that the world has ever seen.