The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-08-18

heritage Of freedom and opportunity
IN the garden Of the world, aye, that
civilization Itself, 10 ct stake In this
mighty struggle upon which We have
entered. As Q people we must have no
interest or purpose in life that stands
before the winning Of this war and DO
ing Il as decislvely and as quickly as is
possible. We must not stop to count
the cost In men or money. nor IN sac
rifIce or service,
Germany Is the most cruel, the most
resourceful and the most efficient
government that ever existed She is
holding today hundreds of thousands
OF SQUARE miles Of the territory OF her
enemies, q large part Of which Is the
very garden OF Europe and she has mil
lions OF deported BelgIans and other
prisoners OF war cultivating Tor her
this vast area in addition to her own
soil. Germany Is not yet beaten. She
would like to have us think so-it is
no doubt, q part Of her plan and to de-
feat Germany may take months OF
years, but do II We must or God help
us. II the Kaiser can crush France
before we get in, what hope will we
have? II Germany should win, the
English fleet. which has been our pro-
lection for many years, would pass to
Germany as trophy Of the war. Then
the Kaiser would rule the seas. Let US
realize fully the dangers before us and
let US stand with our government and
got ready and be ready for whatever
service becomes necessary in this con-
flict
The President has been given (ano
with popular approvaD more power
than was ever lodged with any man
at any time by free people 1t seemed
necessary to do this II prompt and eff
Client aid is to be given our Allies. The
people will hold the President account.
able for the use or abuse OF this power,
but without centralizing authority we
can not hope to win this war.
At this writing 1t is entirely clear
that our greatest need will be trained
men, for the unframed men in modern
warfare are practically useless. With.
out training, an army is merely an or.
ganized mob Every boy should be
given in oolthorough physical train.
ing on military lines. The ideal plan
is that worked out by Capt. Steever
and known as the Wyoming Pan.
Many high schools have adopted It and
all should do so. The Boy Scouts is
splendid organization and doing won.
deriul work in developing strong, man.
ly, self-respectIng boys, but beyond all
these and by every token, the most i'm.
portant is intensive and compulsory
universal military training IN a federal
training camp under the direction OF
United States Army officers. This
plan alone will provide the discipline
that every young man needs. 1t will
create q feeling OF self.respect, recog.
milton Of authority, It will develop men.
tai alertness, give q fine physique, pro.
mote self-control and be the common
meeting.ground Of young men from all
parts Of the country and from all walks
Of life, the rich and the poor alike, and
transmute them into a strong, manly
and virile citizenship. If this war will
bring about universal military training
on the lines Of the Chamberlain bill.
will bring US back to sane living, in.
culcate thrift and promote the loyalty
Of service and make it plain that all
men are equal before the law, and all
owe a common obligation to defend
the Flag and serve the State, we will
be iecompensed for the deep waters
through which we must pass and the
future Of our country will be. assured,
JOHN ]. mitchell,
President Illinois Trust and
Savings Bank.