New-York tribune., 1917-04-09
Democratize the Army
Otherwise ''Kultur" May Win !,
Indirection

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: For long time The Tribun. hm,.,.
Gated the step which the nation ha, nov :,
en-. The cry has been for war to ,u,....
democracy. I wonder II The Tribun. b,,,.
overreached itself in this matter.
While the country remains in . ss.s =,
war the military spirit will be in the ,...
dant. and there is nothing in the world -
democratic than an army. speak from a..
personal experience. having done tin.s
one Of the local Guard units The eonda...
that found in this unit were mentallv a.,
morally degrading. thoroughly undemeens
and un-American IN every sense. Ext.rt,
inquiry has developed the fact that praesiag,
the same conditions exist IN the other Gu,.
units. / understand that regular army q,
ditions are even worse. No one could rigid,
accuse me Of any pro-German leaning
detest so thoroughly all that this so-es-s
"Kultur" implies that hate TO see it xn !,
indirection what 1t could not win b. pro,,.
panda or powera a retrograde step in An,-.
can democracy.
There is a way 70 prevent this aud a. q,
same time pursue vigorous military pole
T mean b. this democratize the army ri
navy make them conform 10 the s.eep.:
American standards and ideas in other lir.,
The Tribune has ample sources Of inforr,.
tion. What does IL think Of service eona.
tions in the National Guard. the regular srr,
and the navy with regard to individual q.
velopmcnt physically. mentally and morally
with regard 20 the whole question Of natOrs
progress?
Criticism without definite suggestions e,
Improvement would De time wasted. \,
field for improvement is immense. but so-,
Of tho most needed change only can be 50.
gested
I. Trial by jury.-This is one Of the corns.
stones Of liberty. More than any other th,,
IL limits the oppressive powers Of tyrasa
Army officers tend strongly by preferesa
training and custom TO tyranny. The
powers along lhis line should be very strict
limited.
.. Abolish definite enlistment term.-Th
only kind Of service worth anything in q
army is voluntary. cheerful, willing serve,
inspired by an interest in the object and 1
determination 10 succeed. Conscrlpton a.
the hard and fast enlistment period iynOn
this fact.
3. Voluntary enlistment-lf there are &c
enough people in the country who favor va
to man an army on the volunteer system v'
ought not 20 have war. in demoerscl
the majority should rule. There should b
no war unless the majority favor H. The tes'
Of majority favor should be its willingness
TO volunteer for service.
4. ADEQUATE compensation. \ man who goei
into battle offers his country his ndividn
all. To pay him Sl5 month IS trayss,l
on remuneration. lie should receive a salaT
of at least 81, 800 a year during service, VIA
assurance Of pension Of equal amount =
his dependents in case Of death or disable
mcnt. Not an patriots are so placed hnir'
cially that their families can exist durrs
their temporary or permanent absence. Ne
doubt the rich of the country would glaI
limit their incomes to like figure IN o'ds
to make this plan feasble-through hc
deep patriotic sentiments, or through az
pressure that might be required.
3. Election of contact officcrs.-No IA
ter how brainy. if an officer-a contact o.
Ger. as lieutenants, captains, non-coms, e'e.-
is not a real leader he is failure. Ne
who make the best soldiers can least tolera
driving. They will follow leader TO HAD
end come back with the bacon. The way
find the leaders is to let them be pushed ,
from the bottom-not pulled up from the r.
] wish that these things might receive -
attention Of people who are interested i'
real substantial American influence for e
right and in the determination OF all saix
racy. caste and other cultural" evils sa
abroad and at home. DAVID DARRK
New York April 3, 1917.