Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-04
SIl)DENTS DENIED
MILITARY COURSE
5warthmore M a n a g er 8
Hold Training Violates
h Founders Intent
PARENTS VIEWS ASKED

There are undergraduates of Swarth-
more College who are anxious to At
themselves to serve their country They
believe that a good way to so fit them
eolves would be to have a course Of
military training in the college. They
nave petitioned the board of managers
- that end and their request has been
denied.
The board points out that the school.
though not strictly a sectarian institu-
ton, is Friends college and consist
emily opposed to war. But because such
opposition is accompanied by unques-
toned patriotism, the president. Joseph
swain. has addressed a letter to the
parents of students stating the case and
asking their desires.
Managers Deny Petition.
Following is the boards reply to the
undergraduates:
To the undersraudate men Of swsrthn19sre
bosSd of manaEers establish a course, in
cnrre,,r, ,ra,nihE as part OF tnS con-
sideration. Your, eaEerness to, serve your
country n this hour Of its dire necessity
Ih;s soSisty e Friends has always stood .sD
Il Government
swsrthmors is pa patrioticaliS i doing 50 today
ReF sTs fasa Sh{ Ref aamHi anJ
undergraduates. ,.,,,.
e Though 92 STRICTLY L fs49 fs6ds 1itss
fSSsndes by that society stsh for TesrS
sons or h2d spdss Sf fs:aE s
fssrrGin. 0u5d'qs 0f rs vgSdR nj f"1 o,
s sA bosrd sas fsss sSa II 'SW
0Igs 4 ffets pf 'FhnaT fafhsF SFl
Sae ssSa b from nW' tT fAs brs o
Se Board bseva tne the Oh0Gsh Of the
As this war continues. the call for men
traave sspaen becoes each das
and more pressing, and after peace is de
struction there will be even greater nScss-
sity for college trained men. The board be-
coussry thss sy sxsanF a @ fs" aiding
young men to- attain greater profcieppcY dcp m ~
~sIsa y, SSAI sais sEs.s Sc. It. way
this action it does not, seek to close LOSE. the he
snns fSr 'nRsS Taa ses the sap
sSs d by by ali al IN the oath of
conscientious convictions
\ President swalns Letter
4 And this Is President Swain's letter:
To the parents OF Swarthmore young men
u - am sending this letter to you not as
lv.president Of Swarthmore College. but as an
IL indiyiduai deeply Interested in the Swarth-
VI more undergraduates securing that training
that they and their parents .conscientiousiy
Al believe they should secure while in college
II to especially equip them for their future
II duties.
n Prior to April 2, 1917. the day of the
III Presidents message in speaking to the
N students I said: THE people Of the United
I states will follow their President. He has
4 not yet spoken So far as It lies in me 70
Il do IT, shall aid each ore finally to follow
what he she feels to be the path OF duty.
The closing paragraph of the incosed
letter Of the board of May 90 1919 relating
to military training. is as follows: THE
board canrot. therefore. see its way clear
to grant this petition. but in taking this
action II does not seek to. close the way fol
those who feel called to military training
HeiterAting the pronouncement heretofore
Gpdspeed to all in the path Of their con
sciputious convictions.
For the Information of a group of in
dtviduals who wish to provide far a:
feasible the needs of the hour, 7 reques
that the following questions be answered a.
promptly possible:
First. Do you desire that your son hav,
the advantage of military training while II
college?
Second. Do you desire that your son enlis
y In the army now or before he is twentv-one'
II understand from Secretary Bakers let
ter that those students taking military train
ing are encouraged but not required to enlis
IN the armv)