Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1917-04-06
ARMY COURSE AT MIDD.
Trustees Approve Of Regular
Military instruction.
Appl cation Made to War Depart
ment for Detail Of officer
Here,


Military instruction under q COM
missoned officer of the United States
Army will forthwith become recog-
nized part of the activities at Md
dlebury College if plans approved by
the trustees, faculty and students can
be carried out. At meeting of the
trustees Of the College last Saturday
afternoon the matter of adopting mill
tary instruction was acted upon. The
faculty had previously voted unani-
mously in favor of this and the l2O
students who have been drilling in the
provisional corps organized by Pro-
fessor Raymond Mcfarland had signed
a petition in favor of having military in
struction recognized in the college.
In considering the question, the trus-
tees took account of many new fac
tors which have entered into the ad-
visibility Of formal recognition of mill
tary training at Mddebury College.
Aside from the benefits which the train
ing itself carries, it is deemed that if
the young men of the college were
called to serve their country they could
do so better as a company of Middle
bury students than as scattered in
dividuals, and at the same time better
serve the College. Further, if univer-
sal military service is adopted, the Col
lege would be placed in an advantageous
position in that the students would not
be interrupted at the age of 10 to per-
form their required service outside the
College.
The plan adopted may not be capable
of immediate realization, on account Of
the inability of the War Department to
furnish an officer at this time, but
application has been made to the War
Department for the detail of a com
missioned officer of the regular army to
the College as military instructor, his
salary to be paid by the government
The supply of arms, uniforms, and
equipment without cost is also contem-
plated.
The course of training would include
three periods week, with both prac-
tical and theoretical work as prescribed
by the War Department, and the main
tenance of a unit of at least 100 men
would be required.
The organization would be Federal
Officers Reserve Corps, and not in any
way connected with the National Guard.
Neither as a unit or individually could
the corps be called into service except
its members finally qualify for COM
missions and join the reserve as volun-
teers.
President Thomas says that the col
ege will keep open whatever happens
and all departments maintained at
normal strength. Every possible en-
couragement will be given to the men
who enlist for military service and to
the women who volunteer for Red Cross
work, but those who remain will have
all the usual facilities.
AS far as athletics are concerned, un-
doubtedly military training will have
the right of way, but the schedule will
not be cancelled until it is clear that
games would interfere with military
preparations. A good deal will depend
upon the action of the War Department
on the application for an Officers Re-
serve Training Corps and in organizing
the new army. This subject will prob
ably be considered by the athletic
council as soon as college re-opens.
President Thomas last week received
letter from the University of the
South asking Mddebury College to join
other institutions in an expression Of
opinion on military service and the con-
duct of the war. The following reply
was adopted by the faculty and stu
dents by a large majority vote
President Wilson,
Washington. d. C.
Dear Sir
In response to the suggestion of the Uni
versity of the South that Middlebury join
with the universities and colleges in sending
to you an expression of judgment with ref
erence to military policy and the present in
ternationa situation, am directed by vote
of the faculty and students to state:-
"O We believe the time has come for the
adoption of universal service as permanent
military policy for the nation.
"(2) We believe the war already begun by
Germany against the United States should be
frankly and promptly recognized and that our
part should be prosecuted with the entire
force of the nation. We believe the United
States should join the Allies without reserva-
tion and do its utmost to help win the war.
(Signed) JOHN M. THOMAS"