Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-02

n n AJOR-GE NERAL CROZIER promises
lV1 that all American forces under arms
will be supplied with rifles within q month,
and that full supply Of machine guns will
be on hand by July /. This country is now
in its second year OF war, and the best It's
chief Of ordnance can do is to promise adc-
Quate equipment for tho future No stronger
indictment of American unpreparedncss
methods could be drawn. Nine months par
ticipation in history's greatest conflict and
the country is no nearer prepared than it
should have been nine months before war
was declared, for even then it was known
that ultimate participation was inevitable.
We danced in peace even when the flames
OF war were reaching out TO encirclo us, and
now the fiddler is collecting his fee.
One cannot blame General Crozier for not
wanting to shoulder all the blame for lack
OF ordnance. lie is in a measure justified
in shifting the responsibility to the people,
for, through their apathy or perhaps it were
nearer the truth to term it lack OF proper
leadership, they failed to prepare for the
storm. Pleas OF those who saw its coming
clearly were cried down as the propaganda
Of the miltarists. They continued to dream
of an unbrokcn, isolated peace, and even
elected President on "He-KeptU Us Out-of-
War" platform; and, even as that platform
was in tho building, it's supports were
trembling under the commissions Of the
European battle field. 1t may be said with
brutal frankness, but truthfully, that even
now tho lethargy engcndered by years of
fancied security and commercial prosperity
has not been wholly shaken off, Tho
is coming homo to those who are giving of
their flesh and blood, but to the great ma
jority it still is thing afar off, We rest
in the trustful belief that we are safely
the way to an army of 100000, or even
n,,I do M ln or
threaten Competent military men say an
army of 100000. perhaps more, will be
necessary to final victory. From where are
they coming? They cannot be raised under
the present draft law. If the country con-
tinucs the present basis further congress
sional action will be necessary and the age
limits must be extended.
An amendment to the draft law has been
prepared and is ready for Introduction. 1t
will secure universal military training for
the duration Of the war TO all men between
the ages of nineteen and twenty-one years,
with no liability to service until the latter
age is reached The adoption of that amend
mcnt will bring up for registration annually
approximately 100000 men. which should
result. according to Provost MARSHALL eneral
Crowdcr, in bringing 100000 to the colors
and solve in part the problem now facing
the administration 1t will also be step i'm
the direction of that universal military train
ing which will raise the United States above
the level of China and enable it to stand
proudly and fearlessly among the nations OF
the earth. 1t will enable it to make the
world safe for democracy by making democ-
racy safe from its own shorts ghtedncss
and blunders.
Disarmament is still dream; universal
peace mirage Only facts count. They
should be sufficient to force necessary action
on the part of Congress. With proper
manifestation Of tho popular demand, tho
President will lead the way.