The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1918-01-04
MANY CONVERTS
FOR UNIVERSAL
military SERVICE
One Hundred and Fifty-Seyen
Representatives and Thirty
nine Senators Now Favor
Training All Young Men.

One hundred and fifty-seven mem
bers of the House of Representatives
and thirty-nine Senators favor the
adoption of Universal Military Train
ing as the permanent basis OF the
military system of the country, accord
ing to the present status of the Ma
tional Security Leagues canvass.
Only one opponent in Congress has
been recorded by the League since it's
last announcement in May on this can
Yass. He is Carl Hayden, Congress
man-at-large from Arizona, and makes
a total Of twelve opponents in the
House who have, definitely declared
themselves An interesting feature Of
the newly recorded advocates of Uni
versal Military Training is that four
had previously replied non-cOmmittal-
ly These converts are Rainey, Of ILL
nois; Moores, of Indiana: Bruckner, of
New York, and Johnson, of South Da-
kota Nine additional affirmative re-
plies were received from Congressman
who had not previously been recorded.
These additional advocates, making
the grand total in the House in favor
of Universal Military Training 157, are
Wood, of Indiana; Cantrill, Of Ken
lucky; Greene, Of Massachusetts; Sic
gel, of New York; Robbins and Strong,
of Pennsylvania; Blanton, of Texas,
and Reed and Cooper, Of West Vir-
ginia.
Senate Converts.
The Security Leagues canvass shows
three new advocates Of Universal
Training in the Senate--Newlands, Of
Nevada; France, Of Maryland; and
Tillman, of South Carolina, the last
two being recent converts, having pre-
viously been recorded as non-commit-
tai. Senators Shafroth, of Colorado,
and Hitchcock, of Nebraska, also re-
piled recently, but non-committally.
Only four Senators are definitely on
record against Universal Military
Training-Gronna, of North Dakota;
Kirby, of Alabama; and Vardaman and
Williams, of Mississippi.
Some Of the letters received by the
Security League from the Senators
and Representatives particularly those
who are recent converts, are interest
ing. Senator Tillman writes, 81 am in
hearty sympathy with the idea and
will vote for any reasonable scheme
that may be put before the Senate"
'For some time past have been in
favor of Universal Military Training"
writes Senator France, "and I think
that it would be desirable to give fur
10 III
tant subject. believe that the edu-
cational value of such training is very
great and that it's value has already
been demonstrated by the experiences
of other nations"
Senator Newlands writes: 'T have no
hesitation in saying that / believe in
Universal Military Training, and !
think it can be made most effective
method of training our young men in
physique, character and habits"
"SeIf-Preservation."
Senator Pomerene, Of Ohio: "I am
sure that, If people generally under
stood the underlying principle of Uni
versal Military Training, there would
be little or no opposition safe from
the peace-at-any-price disciples"
Senator Phelan, of California: per
sonally, am disposed to think, in view
of the changed conditions of the world,
that it becomes a matter of national
self-preservation to train our young
men in military science. Otherwise,
we will be exposed to attacks from
the outside, and, in all human proba-
bility, as against the trained soldiers
of the enemy, suffer humiliating de-
feat. We have been living in a FOOLS
Paradise, but I think the people are
awakening to the necessity of military
preparedness"
Senator Hardwick, of Georgia: "Per-
sonally, l am inclined to the opinion
that legislation Of this character will
be a matter of necessity under our
present condition Of International re-
lations."
Congressman Johnson, of South Da-
kota: "In my opinion, Universal Mill
tary Training and Service is the only
practical and efficient military system
for this country 1t is both fair and
democratic, treating every citizen
alike, regardless of social position or
political influence. The principle hay
ing been recognized by the selective
draft law, no time should be lost in
firmly establishing military policy
based on Universal Military Training
and Service"
absolutely Necessary"
Congressman Rainey, of Illinois:
universal Military Training is abso-
lutely necessary in this dangerous pc
/ Rod of the worlds history. Our fail
ure to adopt Universal Military Train
ing years ago will cost us now in all
probability many billions of money,
and the sacrifice of human life may be
In the near future appalling. After
this war is over the opponents Of Uni
versal Military Training, outside Of
the l. w. w. and very few honest
but misguided pacifsts, will be few
indeed"
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