The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-08-16
A O The Editorial Page of The Daily Ar dmoreit@ q
WE CON'T NEED MILITARISM

THERE Is IN AMERICA today a Prussian-
site movement demanding that the prin-
ciple of universal conscription for military
training be applied in this country. We have
passed through terrible war against militar-
ism, and yet there are persons in the united
States, some of them presumably intelligent
and well-meaning, who insist that this nation
adopt system of military service similar to
that which made the German war possible and
even inevitable.
Last week certain telegram which was not
printed in full in the press of the country was
sent to every member of the house and senate
military affairs committee. 1t was sent by the
National Guard Association of the United
States, in session in New York City Following
is the telegram in full:
-Four million veterans of the great war are
sufficient nucleus for the organization of any
army which may be required for some time to
come.
"The American people will not tolerate the
ruthless abandonment of policy which Gre
ated a great civil army which answered the
CALL never flinched in the face of the severest
fire, and whose record of achievement stands
as a guarantee of its ability to handle any stu
alton which may confront it.
"The Chamberlain Kahn bill abolishes the
citizen sodiery of the United States which pub
lie sentiment demands shall be the backbone
of its military strength; and, at time when
the people are struggling under the burden of
excessive taxation, creates, at enormous eX-
pense, the machinery for the establishment in
America of that detestable Prussian system
which is abhorrent to the American people.
"The League of Nations and the Chamber
an-Kahn bill can never go hand in hand.
EITHER the League of Nations is snare
and a delusion or there is no necessity for the
passage of the Chamberlain Kahn bill.
"The Chamberlain-kahn bill is the swan
ong of the general staff. Failing utterly in its
efforts to secure necessary recruits for the
egular army it now attempts in time of peace
lnder the guise of a universal service bill to
esort to conscription, and to seize from their
ZONES the youth of America for service in the
egular army in the Philippines, in Hawaii. in
'orto Rico, in the Canal Zone and even in Rus
ia should the military dictator created by the
rovisions of this vicious bill determine that the
mergency demanded it.
"The Chamberlan-Kahn bill destroys and
laces a stigma upon the citizen soldiery which
ore the brunt of fighting as shock troops, and
reates centralized military oigarchy with
angerous potentiaities for political abuse,
nd the destruction Of the freedom which is
tal to the existence of the country.
"TherefOre the National Guard Associa
on of the United States, through it's officers,
lecutive and legislative committees in con-
,rence assembled representing that great
0dy of citizen soldiers whose record of eff :
riency entities it to the fullest measure of sup
ort, opposes the passage of the Chamber
in-Kahn bill"
The general public should peruse and pom
er the foregoing statement Next year presi-
ential election will be held. There is already |
the air bonn for militarist to head the
publican ticket. His name is Leonard Wood. /
e don't need militarist in any capacity at
ashington This country can get along with
It Prussianizing its military system.
The thing we like principally about the
Of al 80, hat l. ol,oc ,;.. II