The Washington times., 1917-04-12
The Volunteer System and the
SeIective Draft

Selective Draft
Each has its advantages and its
disadvantages. The fact that the
President and the Secretary of War
have been convinced by the army ex-
perts of the superiority of the selec-
tive draft system should go far to-
wards persuading the inexpert man
to accept their view.
The volunteer system is voluntary
in name only for a great number of
the soldiers obtained under that sys-
tenn. Just as soon as the order is
issued for the raising Of a volunteer
army, the whole effort is to compel
fit men to volunteer. Every mag
Unable appeal is made to their pa
triotism, their pride, their fear of be-
ing called slackers and towards, so
that there is a great deal of moral
compulsion about the so-called vol
unteer system. The most ardent and
adventurous spirits offer their serv-
ices first, with those whose con-
sciences are quick to appeal to the
call of duty. Then come those who
are persuaded by outside influences.
The calling out of an immense vol
unteer army would also demoralize
our industrial and transportation
systems, to say nothing of the world
of business and Of agriculture, for the
reason that men who are most will
ing to fight for their country may
beneeded more in other service. One
Of the stock arguments against war,
the racial degeneracy that follows
the killing off of the most fit, is
peculiarly applicable to war conduct
ed by the volunteer system, where
the bravest and best are sent to the
front and the towards and shirkers
remain at home to propagate their
own kind.
The selective draft is fair to every
body. 1t includes the enrolment of
those of certain ages, the elimination
of those with dependents, the dis
carding of those who are not ply
sically fit, the refusal to accept those
whose service to their country is
worth more than it would be in the
army, and the choosing from the rest
as many as are needed.
Another thing should be borne in
mind, namely, that the volunteer
plan might fail, with no immediate
danger Of attack from a foreign foe,
and that the selective draft cannot
fail, to produce the required number
Of men. In such a matter failure
should not be risked. The best serv-
ice we can render the world now is
to convince Germany that we mean
business and that all the resources Of
men and Of money Of this great ma
ton are to be employed to end the
war by conquering her. Any mani
festation of weakness would convince
Germany that Uncle Sam is merely
putting up a bluff and that the army
he is attempting to raise by call
for volunteers will never leave the
shores of America. That will only
tend to prolong the war and will COM
pei finally not only the raising but
the sending of an army to fight in
Europe.
There is an opportunity for a good
many Congressman to acquire a
cheap reputation by declaiming
against the tyranny of "conscrip-
tion." They will get kilograms and
letters Of congratulation from fond
parents of boys who would escape
the volunteer system, but might have
to serve under the selective draft.
But the Congressman who votes for
method that results in failure and
humiliation will find the sense of
popular shame wreaking itself upon
him. This is the time for shepherds
and for sheep. When men can be
shepherds and lead, we'll; if not let
them follow. 1t is the goat which
can neither lead nor follow that will
find himself the scapegoat whenever
failure has to be acknowledged.