The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-04-01
WOULD END CONSUMPTION.
Dissatisfaction In Argentina Over Present
Military Methods.

Popular dissatisfaction with Argen
tina's made in Germany" system of mill
tarv service has evidently reached such
a height that the Argentina government
is considering the necessity of throwing
| it overheard. Judging from the following
editorial printed in the Buenos Aires |
Standard of January %:
/ The city walls are aglow with post
/ ers proclalmlng that the end OF con /
scripton in Argentina is at hand. The |
latest number Of the militarist organ
advocates the necessity for military prep |
aration by Argentina. which appears to
be rather curious. The previous ques-
ton suggests itself: What in thunder
justifies the adoption of measures not
already taken? Brazil and Uruguay are
in a state of war with Germany, Chile
is neutral, so is Argentina, and on the
Andne slopes there is a promise cast in
bronze. like the laws of the Modes and
Persians, which paraphrased means that
the immortal hills will melt before Ar
gentina's peace with Chile is committed
into war.
III that promise j. meant what does
this preparation for war mean! For
! IN the nature Of things preparations are
conducted with II view to possible or
probable enemies, not with impossible
zones. Argentine might for example,
have prepared for war against Germany.
1 but it is doubtful whether single handed
: she could have resisted that power 1t
would be sporting to try, OF course. but
. that i all. san Marine might very well
G have prepared for war with Austria Hun
II gary and Germany, but il would have
q been rather difficult to prophesy a vie
tory for the tiny Republic Which sug-
gcsts merely that preparedness is limited
by the consideration which it imposes
The little chap who goes into training III
order to fight and defeat a champion
Il heavyweight, is likely to spend his ratur-
II al lie in preparing for the fight that is
d never likely to come off. With a small
population and a colossal area to guard
; She plays at being great military power
le We admire the pluck, but the pretensior
&c IS whilst very costly to maintain, not
really commendable in itself Nor ar,
the benefits claimed for CONSUMPTION very
apparent.
y Among the blessings which were t
- be derived from CONSUMPTION in Argen
tina was the fostering OF the arts anC
IN crafts; better education, and the create
G. physical development of the men. W
n doubt whether any of these have BEEF
:. achieved. The arts and crafts have Ger
y tainly not responded, for warlike store
are all imported The Argentine soldie
still wears a German helmet, the Germa
soldiers uniform in all but details. II
% uses German weapons and IN normal time
rs sleeps under blankets and tents made i
mr. Germany. The system under which tn
Argentine army is raised is the discarde
- German system. 1t Is not compulsor
he military service at all, only crude cor
I
industry and a thousand doors to abus
The physical development of the Argel
tine youth who has served is not to |
ID compared with the magnificent develop
We ment of the Argentine girl who hash
been conscripted As for the education;
~ plea and the claim that discipline max,
m the bad boy a good citizen, we SEQ notl
mt ing to support either the one or the othe
All that the man in the street ca
see Is an extraordinary number Of mil
tary officer, in uniform and an alt
in gethcr absurd list of officers on the I
an tired list, men in the prime OF life e
- Joyihe huge pensions and official licen
TO spend their time IL idleness. Cor
ent pulsorv service Is good, CONSUMPTION wou
be not be wholly repugnant if the Repu
lie were really liable to attack from al
side by a power no better provided wi
resources han herself, But as this
happily, not the case, we agree entire
with those who say, Basta de militia
600 ismo.' We would be glad to contribu
to the formation of small select arm
OF professional long service men, "
-.;s would have as their mission the main'
- nance OF order and constitutional guara
~ tees in the land More than that is L
en necessary, but it IS presumptuous a
III 81 costly"
TLn