Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1917-02-09

anu now bu OLIlCGE VI luS EC6uiesA
army of the United States rises up
and denounces any form of compul-
sorry military training and takes a
number OF vigorous wallops at the
present military system of this coun-
try.
Had q ''pacifist" dared make such
strong statements against our regu-
lar army and our military system, he
would probably have been put down
BY thinking people as radical, rant
ing fool, but when no less a person
than Major william G. Harllee OF
the United States Marine Corp makes
them, they must command attention
and more or less, consideration.
In all events the Majors remarks
are most interesting to all who are
attempting to follow the various pro-
posals for solving the defense prob
lem that Is facing this country. They
were delivered before a recent hear
ing on the Chamberlain compulsory
training before a senate sub-com-
mittee.
Best Traditions Violated
'our present military institution
violates some OF our best American
traditions" declared the Major.
purge 1t OF the distasteful things,
make it business like, adopt in 1t ac-
cepted methods and you will find
thousands of willing men-more
than you can take care of-for mill
tary training. They are not willing to
enter 1t now and ] interpret that as
protest against our methods and
not as any indication that American
manhood is on the decline.
There is nothing pusillanimous
about the American people," he went
on, '"They have not lost their mill
tary virtue. They don't need a sys-
tenn bolstered up by courts, jafls and
military constabularies to bring a
proper preparation for national de-
fense.
when you have brought the mil
itary system in harmony with things
American, you will find a different
attitude toward It and no necessity
whatever for such drastic measures
as compulsory or universal military
service.
system Is EurODaan
''our military institution is not an
American product. we borrowed II
from England and Continental Eu.
rope-from countries where there
are only two classes OF men-gen
tlemen and common men-and oul
system today reflects faithfully the
social conditions which prevailed
when the system was fret adopted
The officers came from the gentle
men class, the enlisted men repre-
sent the common caste. The sys
tenn fitted such social structure bu
does not fit America.
American army law recognizes
today two distinct classes of men ii
our military service. They are alb
solutely distinct. There is line 0
cleavage between them. Now prid
and self respect are the best ele
ments OF military character. An
caste crushes them both. Napoleoi
destroyed caste because he saw tha
It ruined the business. The impuls
toward democracy which the grea
French revolution gave the 'Frenc
army has ne reached the Amer
lean establishment from top to boi
tom.
A Recent Development
There was no caste in the Cor
federate army nor in the citizen arm
Of the United States during Ii
sos. Why should We breed 1t no
In our barracks and expect our arm
to serve as = model OF citizen so
diery7
.'The thing above all others III,
prevents men from entering the mi
itary service ID the oath Of enlis
ment. It is an oath of bondage. AT
employer who contracted with b
men ON this basis would be gull
OF peonage-a felony under the law
the nation which practices it itsel
IN my experience in recruiting / ha'
found men profoundly unwilling
subscribe to such an oath. It il n
fair to ask men unfamiliar with 4
military establishment to enter .sui