Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-11-22
many CONVERTS
/ FOR UNIVERSAL
MILITARY SERVICE


nine Senators Now Favor
Training All Young Men.
4 One hundred and fifty-seven mem.
oers OF the House of Representatives
and thirty-nine Senators favor the
adoption of Universal Military Train
ing as the permanent basis of the
military system of the country, accord
ing to the present status of the Ma,
'tional Security Leagues canvass.
Only one opponent in Congress has
been recorded by the League since it's
last announcement in May on this can,
.vass. He is Carl Hayden. Congress.
iman-at-large from Arizona, and makes
a total of twelve opponents in the
House who have definitely declared
themselves. An interesting feature OF
the newly recorded advocates of Uni.
;versal Military Training is that four
had previously replied non-committal
,ly. These converts are Rainey, of Illi-
no1s; Moores, of Indiana; Bruckner, of
New York, and Johnson, of South Da.
.kota. Nine additional affirmative re.
piles were received from congressman
VINO had not previously been recorded.
These additional advocates, making
the grand total in the House in favor
'of Universal Military Training 1877, are
Wood, of Indiana; Cantrill, of Ken.
lucky; Greene, of Massachusetts; Sic
gel, of New York; Robbins and Strong,
of Pennsylvania; Blanton, of Texas,
and Reed and Cooper, of West Vir.
gtnia.
Senate Converts.
4, me Security Leagues canvass shows
three new advocates of Universal
Training in the Senate-Newlands, of
Nevada; France. of Maryland; and
,Tillman, of South Carolina, the last
two being recent converts, having pre-,
v1ously been recorded rs non-commit.
tai. Senators Shafroth, of Colorado
and Hitchcock. Of Nebraska, also re,
piled recently, but non-committallyi
Only four Senators are definitely on
record against Universal Military,
Training-Gronna, of North Dakota;'
Williams, of Mississippi. !;
Some of the letters RECEIVED by the
Security League from the Senators
and Representatives. particularly those
who are recent converts, are interest,
ing. Senator Tillman writes, 81 am in
hearty sympathy with the idea and
will vote for any reasonable scheme
that may be put before the Senate" :.
For some time past have been in:
favor OF Universal Military Training"
writes Senator France, "and ! think
that 1t would be desirable to give fur
'ther consideration to this most impor-
tant subject. believe that the edu-
cational value of such training is very
great and that its value has already,
been demonstrated by the experiences
of other nations"
Senator Newlands writes: ri have no
hesitation in saying that l believe in
Universal Military Training, and +
think 1t can be made most effective
method of training our young men In
physique, character and habits"
"seIf-Preservation."
Senator Pomerene, of Ohio: II am
sure that, II people generally under,
stood the underlying principle of Uni
versal Military Training, there would!
be little or no opposition safe from
the peace-at-any-pric disciples"
Senator Phelan, of California: "Per,
sonally. am disposed to think, in view
Of the changed conditions of the world,
that 1t becomes matter Of national
self-preservation to train our young
men in military science. Otherwise,
we will be exposed to attacks from
the outside, and, in all human proba-
bility, as against the trained soldiers
of the enemy, suffer humiliating de.
feat. We have been living in Fools
Paradise, but l think the people arc
awakening to the necessity Of military
preparedness"
Senator Hardwick, Of Georgia: "Per-
sonally, l am inclined to the opinion
that legislation Of this character will
be matter Of necessity under our
present condition Of international re-
lations."
Congressman Johnson, OF South Da-
ikota: Gin my opinion, Universal Mill
tary Training and Service is the only
practical and efficient military system
for this country. 1t is both fair and
democratic. treating every citizen
alike. regardless of social position or
political influence. The principle hav-
ling been recognized by the selective
draft law. no time should be lost in
firmly establishing military policy
based on Universal Military Training
and Service"
! Absolutely Necessary"
/, Congressman Rainey, of Illinois,:
universal Military Training is abso-
hutely necessary in this dangerous pc,
fiod Of the worlds history. Our fail
lure to adopt Universal Military Train
Ing years ago will cost us now in all
probability many billions of money.
and the sacrifice of human life may be
in the near future appalling After
this war Is over the opponents of Uni
Eersal Military Training, outside Of
the l. w. w. and very few honest
but misguided pacif1sts, will be few
Indeed"
Congressman Bruckner, of New
York: II am of the opinion that Uni
Eersal Military Training is necessi-,
ty, just the same as an adequate pre-.
paredness."