The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-10-17

advocating no armament and no
preparation, just as before the war
is to be expected. A great many
undoubtedly still cherish the hope
that this is the last great war. and
that preparation at the close OF IL
will be unnecessary: that the peace
conference will arrange for the dis
armament of nations, II not at once
then progressively.
On the other hand, military men
and a great many others take no
stock in the belief the world Is at
the end OF wars or that disarmament
is near at hand. They point out
that IL a league to enforce peace Is
maintained, then there will have to
be armament to enforce its DEGREES
and If no league to enforce peace lie
formed, every nation will continue
to arm. They ask, for instance,
whether France, disarmed, would
trust Germ Sly and whether England
minus a great navy, would put her
empire ut the mercy OF Prussianism
II. unfortunately, that force for evil
should not be rooted out; also
whether the United States has reach
ed a point, or Will reach a point
when this war ends. where she will
be willing TO strip of protection and
cast her guns into the scrap heap.
What will eventunte, obviously, is
contest over whether the United
States should be prepared and IL it is
decided there should be preparation.
then the method OF it will stir Q vast
amount OF controversy.
Push Universal Training.
The friends Of universal training,
among army men. as well as in Con-
gress, are going to make a strong eff
fort to get that policy adopted. They
are on the alert already and II a COM
mittee or commission takes up re-
construction, the case for universal
training will be put before 1t with all
the strength possible. 1t is argued by
the opponents OF this system that Il
is the one way in which the United
States, without going to militarism,
can keep itself always prepared and
that without separating young men
Iong from industry, that It will make
any large standing army unnecessary
and that it will be comparatively in
expensive.
For a time. earlier in the war, there
was talk that universal training legis-
lation might be passed in the course
Of the war. 1t now seems unlikely
this will be done, as the Administra-
ton, IL not opposed to II, at1east has
so far refused to sponsor II. Senator
Chamberlain, chairman OF the Mill
tary Committee, is as earnest as ever
for it and will press for 1t as the
permanent military policy.
Others will fight for restoration OF
the national guard system and a regu-
lar army. In support OF the national
guard system. It will be urged that
the guard in France has done admir-
able work.
To Maintain Safeguards.
In favor of. the idea OF the United
States not allowing its arms to rust.
army men point out that at the close
OF the civil war the country went from
q state OF gigantic preparation TO al
most none They do not want a recur-
renca OF that policy, which they con-
slider a mistake.
Congress ultimately will have TO de-
eide the military policy and, pTesuma-
bly,. will seek 10 decide It as it feels the
public wants It decided In this deci-
sion 1t cannot be overlooked that the
millions Of young men now in the army
are going to be a factor. They are
likely to hold the balance OF power. 50
to speak. with respect to the public
judgment as to what should be done.
The opinion among most military men
here is that the young men who have in
recent months had a training in arms
are going 10 lean strongly to prepared
ness.