The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-01-24

cided that when the time comes for calls
for a third and a fourth army 1t Will be
selected from men who have become OF
age since last June. rather than from
classes . 2 and 4. With at least 1OO,-
600 men arriving at the age OF Il years
annually, he believes this number will
meet the demands for actual fighting
forces OF course, he will 20 into the
deferred classes for the experts in all
lines of industry who are needed to
suuport our fighting men in France. He
will call shortly for 10000 men who
viii be selected from these classes.
General Crowder holds that the fos-
tcring Of our industrial and agricultural
institutions requires the deferment-not
Of the younger men who have not be
come integrated with the domestic, in
dustrial, or agricultural life of the ma
tiou-but rather Of men who have as
sumed domestic, industrial relations
which demand their discharge from the
obligations of military service, at least
for the time. One of the problems he
has been considering in recent weeks
was whether he should invade the de-
ferred classes to form additional ar
mics or whether he should add another
class composed entirely of men who
have become of age in the last year.
He decided to favor the latter alterna-
tive. 1t was his opinion, an opinion, by
the way, which is general, that the sin
gle objection against adding the class
of men who have reached p since the
last registration was that among them
would be found those who are complet-
ing their education. Moreover, he de
cided that if the nation was to make
any sacrifcal adjustment it was here,
excepting technical students only.
The value of an educated youth is
not to be underestimate, but. war is
an emergency condition. While due
provision must be made for the future,
the obligation of military service is not
to be passed over lightly. 1t is not
difficult TO find that the relations of q
man to the war industries Of nation
are sufficient to defer his call to mill
to a stern sacrifice. 1t is much more
| difficult, however, according to the rea
soning of General Crowdcr, to reach the
conclusion that either the interests of
| the nation or the interests of the ia
vored man are sufficient to justify
/ sending forth less fortunate youth in
! the place of a college student, not be
cause the boy with the limited educa-
| tion is better fitted to defend his coun
| try, for admittedly such is not the ease
but because life has given him fewer
( opportunities. "'The sooner the nation
comes to an exact realization of the
issues involved, - said General Crowdel
1 in reaching his conclusion to oppose the
exemption of students generally, "the
sooner will the powerful disposition OF
/ the high but single-minded educators
be opposed in this regard. -
Whether men who have passed the
! age of 30 years since they were regis
tered should be removed from liability
! Is a question which is being debated il
! executive halls and military circles
The war department is opposed to !;
I general exemption of this class. "lI
the first place. says General Crowder
"such men are, physically and as ;
class, the most perfectly fitted for mill
tary service. Those who at that az,
have not intcgrated themselves Will
the economic or domestic life of tn
nation to such a substantial extent q
10 ulctate thelF segregation III clas
more deferred than Glass are entitle
to no consideration in this regard. Tn
classification system automatically de
fers meritorious eases and the rest ough
not to be removed from liability A
leaders in congress have made simila
statements, it is probable that tn
amendment to include men who hav
reached their majority since last Jun
viii not contain a provision to exemp
men who have passed the 30-year mari
since that time.