Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-11-05
pcrshing on Country,s Military Needs

PcrShing on COuntry'S Military Needs
Mo one is better qualified than General
Pershing to tell this country what are
its military needs. and no one will be lis
tened to with more respectful attention
than the man who led the American expedi-
tonary forces to victory in France. His
wide experience and his successful general
ship abroad have not made of him a mill
tarist. Rather. lie is more conservative than
might have been expected OF great military
leader who had controlled the destinies OF
100000 soldiers but his conservatism
while more pronounced than that OF the Sec
rotary of War and the general staff, does not
reach TO the point where the country'S safety
would be endangered in case of any emer-
gency. So, when he tells the committees OF
Congress that standing army Of 100000
men is all that is necessary, his figures will
DC accepted as fair and safe estimate by
most OF those persons who have been press
ing Tor the creation Of military establish
ment OF no fewer than 500, 900 men as we'll
as by those who, in their groundless fears
that the United States may become a war
like nation, would have the number OF men
under arms cut down to the point where it
would be practically helpless before sudden
attack by strong enemy
But more than ALL General persbin,.s
recommendation for the adoption of uniyer-
sal military training should have weight
ne Is welded to the plan as the simplest and
most inexpensive method of constant pre-
paredness, and as purely peace-time pol
ICY he is IN position OF authority to tell
American parents what military training
VIII 90 IN making real men OF their BOYS
before his statement that military train
ing makes better citizens. It's benefits should
oe extended TO all our young men Through
service II increases their physique broadens
their view of life. and 1t is democratic :.
much or the opposition that heretofore has
prevented its adoption should vanish. Here
too. the general is conservative He womb
nave the training period limited to six
months, long enough, he thinks for the
youth to obtain good grounding in mill
TAR! fundamentals, and he would have II
combined with general educational work
Ahere is no hint of European military
methods in his plan. II is thoroughly Ameri
can ana 1t should appeal SO strongly to
Americans that Congress will not hesitate
~ ADOPT H. at least in its general outlines
1t is quite evident from General Pershine.s
testimony that he is not an alarmist that
fresh from the battlefelds of Eurone ba
ooes not share the views OF those who can
see nothing in the future but war. For
MN. as for all well-balanced Americans tho
future holds little to fear, and the country
WIN reaSonao ole defense, is safe from con-
iilct Tor many years to come No nation
WISHES TO attack us, none is in position tn
do so even il ii possessed tho desire L
none VIII be In such position for genera
non with the league of nations an accom-
piished 1act, and 1t will be functioning with
IN lew weeks, 1t would be foolish of Con
eress TO burden the country with regular
army greater than that General Persbinp
has recommended. And it would be worse
IMAM rooilsh-it would be criminally short
sighted-not to give the country the nre-
pareoness' and its youth the physical and
educational benefits which universal mill
ta[! tralnlns-nOt service-ofers TO both