South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-15

should become the permanent
method of raising American
armies in the future.
Gen. Crowder declared that the
selectfve service law had enabled the
government in this war 10 register
2S.74O,0OO Americans. put into the
field nearly 100000 fighters and to
have IN readiness to entrain on Nov.
II. when the armistice was signed.
2.000 900 more soldiers. all within
a period OF IS months II would be
a calamity" he said, for the United
States to revert to the volunteer sys-
tenn in view of such a successful test
Of selective service. adding that the
American cOnscripts had shown the
valor, aggressiveness and initiative
Of the most seasoned troops.
What Selected Army Means.
What of the army you have
raised ?" asked Gen. Crowder, re-
ferring TO the drafted men who had
been sent overseas. The answer
comes back from France in no un-
certain tones. These men you have
sent to the colors have proved them
selves the equals in aggressive fight
ing and soldierly bearing OF the vet
Grams Of France and England"
Gen. Crowder's speech was an ex-
position Of the successful work Of
the selective service law which, he
said, had responded so smoothly
and so well to our dual form Of state
government and national control
that IL would be calamitOus If II
should not become a recognized part
OF our governmental system for the
raising OF armies in time Of war. I"
The provost marshal general con-
trasted the draft methods OF the
United States with those Of England
and showed how this country had
prohted by the mistakes made by
the British, who after three years OF
trial with the volunteer system. and
the disorganization OF industry. were
obliged to adopt conscription.
How Huns Wee Defeated.
Pointing out that when Germany
hurled her challenge to the democ-
racies Of the earth IL became neces-
sary for those democracies. for self
/ preservation to organize their re-
/ sources as she had done and make
I every man a soldier" active or re-
serve. Gen. Crowder declared this
I test had been met He referred 10
I the efforts Of Lord Kitchener TO
I raise an army and Of the first gal
liant 100000 who were sent across
the English channel. knowing how 20
die but little else in the awful car
mage that awaited them" He touch
cd briefly upon the great drain upon
the flower OF England's manhood
and how. after the factories, schools.
Offices. farms and mines had been
+ depleted OF their best, the futility OF
+ trying to raise the required number
! OF volunteers became apparent
After i months OF war had wit
messed the disastrous fighting a:
Gallipou. Mesopotamia. and the Bal
kans and the deadlock on the west
ern front he declared. "the new
army Of England was 100000 men
short Of its then authorized strength
I The volunteer system was now 20 he
abandoned" ne went on. after at
had throttled the industrial life OF
the nation. and undermined the
. whole economic structure"
L. 8 Learned Lesson
When the United sta ties war de
/ partment. in its effort 70 heed the
lesson learned by England, sought
the enactment OF the seIective serv-
ice act. Gen. Crowder said that the
traditional method OF raising armies
by the volunteer system was so
strong with the American people
that u was deemed expedient I'm the
very bill the war department pre-
sented 20 congress for enactment 70
provide that limited VOLUNTEERING
might go on. He recalled the great
| opposition 20 the draft and how
. through the insistence OF the pres
ident, ably supported by the stalwart
and aggressive leadership or Sen.
/ Chamberlain and Rep. Kahn. IN tho