Bisbee daily review., 1918-08-04

Lockwood has given to his remark as ouoted in my last letter was as l in- terpreted it.
 Before comparing the ability, intel ligence and character or our present army with our "Old Professional Army, which he refers to. there are number of things to be considered. We would not judge the vandal arm ies which ravaged Europe in the mid dle ages bv our present moral codes or standards We have ceased to iudge men by the standards of anoth- CT age. Neither can We judge the soldiers of thirty years ago by what we consider a man should measure up to today.
 Ouite true there are more college men in the army now than then. That I do not deny. But what were the-edu- cational demands of the general pub Iic of 1SgO-19OO2 I wonder now the percentage of men who have a college education today compared with tbCse who completed the grammar grades in l9Cn Not so unfavorably l should think. I am not speaking in the terms Of Cochise county, understand, for know but little of it's educational history. but what did it offer in its schools then? Compare with today.
 If we compare the character and moral standards of our army today with that of yesterday let us not forget to compare the character and morals of our communities today, with that before degrading influences and places of vice were driven from cur cities. Such things. I do not like tO recall, but We cannot erase those black spots from the pages of our, history by re- fiecting upon an organization which had to live through it all.
 Compare the recent legislative ac- tien prohibiting such things with the attitude of legislative bodies in the past, which represented the public frame of mind. Compare the recrea- tions and amusements furnished to our old professional army and the en- vironment of our army camps and army posts then, with our motion pictures, recreation and amusement halls. hostess and community houses, and homes open to the men in khaki furnished now through the work of the Red Cross. Y. M. C. A., and similar in- stitutions, to say nothing of the eX- termination of vice in the cities adla cent to our camps.
 Judge Lockwood gave some terms of the old enlistment but failed to give them all. The following terms were in effect until the increase of our army during the recent Mexican trouble.
 1. An applicant for enlistment must pass 9 rigid physical examination.
 2 Must be a naturalized citizen
 8. Must furnish three letters of recommendations from responsible persons as to his character, mental and moral fitness.
 4. Must be able to read ana write.
 3. Show their willingness to serve their country from a pure patriotic standpoint.
 Compare the above if you rlease, with the following which necessity forces us to accept along with college and technically trained men:
 1. Men with all kinds of physical weaknesses and disabilities.
 9 Foreigners, some without even first papers.
 8. Those mentally weak and quail fled for limited service only.
 4. Illiterates. Compare the per centage of this class in the army now since 1916 with that befOre.)
 3. Conscientious Objectors, slackers and other undesirables.
 In conclusion let me state l am nos accustomed in criticiZing speeches, to take isolated sentences and disregard the remainder, but the statement quoted was so bold an assertion that at this time l did not consider it's meaning could be mistaken even though the speech was made to an au- dience of women. Why throw bouquets at women who have relatives in the service today at the discredit of the women of the past who felt the same as those do now? Both should be re- spected and hOnOred but not one at the expense of the other. I,still feel that lam justified in my criticism of tha. I am justified in my criticism of
 L. P. GOOD, Captain, Thirty-fifth Infantry, United
 States Army.
 KINGMAN-T. J. Sparkes, in charge |