Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-09-12
TODAY'S REGISTRATION

Todays registration may be Interpreted as a COM
pletion of the formal declaration of purpose of the Amer
lean people with reference to the war. Since our enlry
into the conflict there has never been any doubt as to
what our purpose was. There was the determination TO
see the thing through. no matter what the cost might
be. But at the beginning it was believed that the work
could be accomplished by drawing on a smaller proper
ton Of population than has since been shown to be
necessary. The necessity being recognized, we have Ia
ken steps to meet it, and when the work of this day Is
concluded, the entire man-power Of this great nation,
within what are usually accepted as the limits Of mill
tary age, will be listed as potential soldiers of the ma
ton, ready for service in the field if their services shall
be needed. e
While local conditions have caused differences in
the precise form of expression, there is a striking SINH
larity in the manner in which the two great English
speaking nations Of the world have met the issues Of the
war as they were presented. Each is essentially a nom
military nation. Each has maintained a standing army
which barely sufficed for police york. Each was by many
supposed to be so welded to peace that it could not be
kicked into a fight. Yet each has thrown itself into the
conflict without reserve. and has either delivered or
pledged all that it has and all that it is in support Of the
cause in which it is enlisted.
It was taken for granted that the British navy would
be an important factor in the war. But there was a strong
popular feeling that when it had aided its allies with its
naval strength Great Britain would have about reached
the limit of its effort. There was some question whether
or not Great Britain would send to the continent any
armed force whatever, and, assuming that one would be
sent, it was not expected by those who took a small view
Of the case that it would amount to more than an e-
pediionary force of perhaps 1901 900 men. Today Great
Britain alone has under arms $3.50, 900 men, to say
nothing Of the $500, 900 contributed by the colonies and
self governing dominions of the empire.
Within about sixteen months after the United states
became a participant in the war she sent more than
1, 100000 men across the ocean to aid in the defense Of
freedom. Her, soldiers are on the firing line in France.
in Italy and in Siberia The first ten million men regis
tered have been sifted for those who are pre- eminently
eligible, and now. in order that there may be no lack
of choice material, a similar process Of selection is to
be applied to the entire adult male population up to the
to rs, 900, 900 men registered, and from these will be
drawn group after group to receive training in domestic
camps. to be sent thence to the places where they are
needed. This process will be continued until we have
under arms and in active service, three millions, five
millions, as many millions as are needed, and there will
has been won and the liberties of mankind are made
secure.
1t may be said that registration, and the military
service Of which 1t is the forerunner, is compulsory. But
1t is none the less the voluntary act Of the American
people, for tho law under which these things arc done
is the enactment Of the representatives OF the people,
and without the approval of the people no such lesisla-
ton would have been attempted or could have been en-
acted