The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-02-16
UNIVERSAL SERVICE.

or the people OF TINS country, lot lne
first time in it's history, would follow
with enthusiasm the leadership of the
President and Congress to the goal of
citizen army, trained and equipped
to defend the nation.
The principle that the first duty of
every citizen of a democracy is to be
prepared, to defend his liberties is
fundamental and is unassalable from
whatever standpoint considered.
Whatever objection some of us may
have urged in the past against the
practicability or perhaps the necessi-
ty OF the application of this principle
in this country, falls to the ground
when it is analysed in the light of
the present day facts and future prob
abilities.
Many months ago this newspaper
announced as one of the planks in its
platform of national policies, a fed
eral law providing for the military
training of every boy for a sufficient
time to qualify himself physically and
technically as a soldier ready TO re-
spond to his country's call.
We said at that time, we have re-
peated it many times since AMI we re-
peat it again now, with all the en-
phass that we can command and with
all the sincerity that is in us, that all
attempts to solve the problem o. cur
military defense in any otter way
were undemocratic and certain to
prove futile.
Two plans for creating a great citi-
zen army based upon the military
training of every male citizen when
he attains certain age are now be-
ing worked out in Washington.
One is the plan Of the general staff
of the army; the other the plan Of a
subcommittee of the sonata commit
tee on military affairs. Tho latter is
known as the Chamberlain bill, Sena
tor Chamberlain of Oregon being ITS
prepayment.
The chief difference in tie plans Is
that the general staff plan calls for
a year of continuous training and the
Chamberlain plan for six months OF
continuous training. Thee are Other
minor differences, but in the;:. funda-
mentals the plans are alike, as they
are both based upon the correct dem
ocratic principle that every citizen
has equal responsibility for The de-
Tense of his country and his individ-
ual liberties.
News from Washington as to the
attitude of the administration in re.
spect to this whole subject of univer-
sal military training is rather disqui-
citing.
1t is to the effect that there is very
little, if any enthusiasm for it in the
highest places and that it is extreme
ly doubtful whether much progress
can be made with such legislation at
the present session of Congress.
The President is unconvinced that
the militia system has proven fail.
ure. He seems to look upon univer-
sal military training as at best a nee
essary evil to be considered seriously
only after every form of voluntary
service has been tried and found in,
effective.
If we are right in this interpreta-
ton of the Presidents STATE of mind,
We differ from him absolutely. Ac-
cording to our conception, universal
military training is not an evil, either
necessary or unnecessary.
On the contrary, we believe that al
together apart from any consideration
of national defense, universal military
training would Justify itself jul e.
solely in relation to it's physical, men
tai and moral effect upon the men of
the nation.
We are as sure as it is safe to be
about anything in these uncertain
times, that universal military training
would prove so popular among all
classes of people that a few years at
ter its inauguration no statesman who
valued his political future would dare
oppose it.
II you are in favor of universal mil.
itary training why not send letter
or post card, or possibly telegram
to the President or the secretary OF
war, or your congressman, if you
know who he is, telling him so?
You may be sure that the peace at
any-pricers; the people whose CHIEF
regret is that the American has only
two cheeks, are not modest about i'm
pressing their sentiments on Official
Washington.