New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-29

III opened with Washington going INTO
winter quarters at MOrristOwn with an
army which was reduced during his stay to
less than 5000 men, although there were
more than 10000 trained British veterans
less than thirty-five miles away.
During the first year of the Civil War
volunteers exceeded the call, but as soon as
it was found that there was real fighting
to be done many went home at the eXpira-
ton of their enlistments or deserted. Be
fore we could successfully meet the issue
Of that war it was necessary to resort TO
the compulsory draft Moreover, because
of our mixed blood, we have had smaller
proportion of volunteers in times Of peace
during which the necessary training
must be given-than any other country
which has tried the voluntary system Inc
voluntary system was in existence IN Aus
tralia before 1909. Australians volun-
teered for service at the rate of $4,000 per
million population. Canada had the voun-
tary system before the war and its cltl-
zens voluntarily enlisted at the rate OF
5000 per million population. Before the
war the British army depended upon the
volunteer system. Englishmen respond
ed at the rate of 100 per million pOpula-
ton. But in the United States, with every
inducement to urge men to Join the Ma
tional Guard-clubhOuses organizations
of companies of intimate friends, social
affairs, etc.-our men have volunteered at
the rate Of only 1900 per million popula-
ton.
The voluntary system fails so far as our
regular army is concerned, it fails so far
as our National Guard is concerned. The
United States with hundred million peo-
pie has been unable the last year to enlist
more than 2300 900 men, even including our
paper forces; while Switzerland, with a
population less than four million, under
universal compulsory boyhOod training
has an army of fit soldiers numbering
$4,000 men.
Under our present system the problem
of recruiting will be more difficult in the
future than it has been in the past. A
systematic investigation of over 10000
of our National Guard brought definite
answers from 81 per cent stating that
then 1COuld refuse absolutely to re-eRtlSt
If the United States should adopt sys-
tenn modelled somewhat upon the Swiss or
Australian system-a system similar TO
that already adopted by the State of New
York or that adopted by the State of
Wyoming, we would have under training
each year at least million boys-a million
boys developing their physique each year,
lettering their character, making them
selves fit to take their part in the industrial
and economic life of the nation. This would
require but fifteen or twenty minutes
per day-physcal training in the schools
up TO the eighteenth year and then two
months in the summer time of the nine
teenth year, and two months in the sum
mer of the twentieth year for those still
found to be unfit physically. The time
given at this age would not interfere with
the economic welfare Of the nation, yet in
ten years it would make ten million Amer
leans more fit physically and mentally to
endure the strain Of economic life, more
able to win success, more happy because
more free from i'll health and disease.
Such training would entail neither loss
of time nor money, would add greatly to
our national efficiency, would not break
into our economic system, would not inter-
fere with the college training of our young
men. would increase the national standard
of health, and each year would add one
million men to the number fit to serve the
United States in time of need.