Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-12-06

been whispering that universal serv-
ice is a dead issue. The intent is
self evident, the opponents attempt
ing by this means to delay action as
long as possible. If the people Of the
country were privileged to visit
Washington they would learn very
quickly that universal training is a
live issue and one which will COM
mand national attention in the near
future. =.
Leaders Of the movement will
bring the question formally before
Congress before the end of the ses-
sion which began today if it is pos
sible to find time for its considera-
ton; IL other matters take up the en-
tire three months, the subject will be
brought up Immediately after the
next Congress convenes. While 1t is
impossible to forecast at this time
whether an universal training bill will
be enacted, it can be said that the
measure is favored by the ablest
members Of the two branches. More
over, it has the support Of more men,
bers than it ever had before. Lead
ers in Congress are satisfied that
armies and military preparation will
be needed in the future and that uni
versal training is tn. only solution Of
the country's problem. Universal
training, they declare, contains moth
ing contradictory to the idea Of de-
mocracy that every man, rather than
a selected few, should bear the obli-
CATION to fight for the country when
necessary and to be trained to defend
the country we'll and intelligently."
Even before the United States en-
tered the war it was perfectly obvious
to observing minds that universal
military training was bound to be an
American policy, war or no war. Our
activities and their lessons in re war,
have made doubly sure the outcome.
Universal military training adopted
20 years ago would have saved lives
and treasure beyond estimate in the
war just ended. Most Of us are sat
isfied of that, now, for we have sent
boys to the front totally, shockingly,
shamefully untitled for military serv-
ice or care of themselves under army
conditions.
Let us pray constantly that the
world may never know another war,
and then, if we have prayed in. faith
of the mustard seed variety and our
prayers have been answered, even
then we have no better reason for
scorning the value Of military train
ing for our sons. Not your son while
our son escapes by use Of money or
political pull or cowardly sneaking
away, but everybody's son, big and
little, good and bad. strong and frail.
brazen and prude-all must take
their military medicine.
1t is the life. the discipline. the
drill, the democratic leveling up OF
the every-present tendency toward
classes. 1t is the awakening Of new
ambitions, the incubation of broader
views, the forced severing Of dan
gerous indulgencies, the new grasp
Of the rights of others-these and a
hundred other benefits. under gov
eminent control. free Of college and
school societies, social idiocies and
snobbery, all these that count.
If we never have use for a soldier
or gun, military training has justt-
fed itself by the demonstrations of
the last Is months. The increased
value, physical and moral, Of the
youth Of our country clinches the
argument and settles the bill. How
many Of our readers know that 400
out Of every 1000 of the millions
called and examined, were suffering
from some preventable disease which
was sapping constitutions. threaten
ing general health and, worse still,
carrying a baneful foreboding to
posterity. Thousands OF these were
taken into the army. treated and
largely cured. Thousands of others
were given Invaluable advice before
sent back to their homes or into
war or other industries. 1t is safe
to assert that very many thousands
Of these young men would Have re-
manned in ignorance Of their health
danger until too late but for COM
pulsory physical examination.
These are only few Of the las
ons for universal" military train
ing.