El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-01-04
UNIVERSAL TRAINING is COMINGI
UP: WOODS PLAN TO BE DEBATED

CECRETARY OF WAR BAKER has told the house mill
- tary committee that the department has not yet
reached decision regarding universal military training
and he indicated that no decision would be reached until
the peace conerees in France had reached some definite
conclusion regarding league Of nations He probably
meant that if there is league Of nations, the United
States VIII be obliged to maintain great standing army.
IF there is league the need for big army viii BE con-
sidered President Wilson through the writings OF
correspondents has indicated much II is sort Of stick
he holding European nations He is telling them, in
effect: ~Form league Of nations or the United States,
which the greatest in the world, the most
money the most materials and the most and best men, viii
build up the greatest navy and greatest army the world
has seen"
To this intimation there from European states
this very pointed question: @How strong the
United States make league Of nations?" Suppose IA
ton se up and strike against France England
matter Of only few weeks effort, at the most How
large force could United States be counted on to
contribute IMMEDIATELY in IS months to the league
OF England?
President Wilson not prepared to answer that ques-
ton fer be knows the country has military policy what
ever now Re might say that preparations under
way though the present army is being demobized to
raise volunteer regular army Of 10000 to serve
temporary force until policy is worked out. And
Of course force Of 100000 to nations which
been thinking IN terms Of millions would not be i'm
PressFe He would have something definite to tell
Europe this country had already taken up compulsory
universal military training
Despite the obvious reluctance of M Baker TO commit
himself in any way regarding universal training one may
rest assured that the question Is coming before congress
very soon and IN quite positive fashion Representative
Kahn Of California, who viii be chairman Of the house
military affairs committee when the Republicans organ
ze the next house. brought up the matter committee
Then M Baker made the statement above referred TO-
DR. Kahn Is much interested in universal training and
wants to the question settled Senator Chamberlain
Who has long been campaigning the for universal
training, nay soon see his best hopes realized.
Moreover what secretary Baker did not mention was
that although the department has arrived at no policy
regarding universal training the general staff Is soon pre-
pang TO submit 70 congress the Leonard Wood plan for
universal training
It viH be remembered that Gen Wood has been AL (
zng for universal service and for general preparedness
oT years and thereby put himself dsfavor with those
PLACID Pacss IN the administration who opposed the war;
and everything military until the was forced upon
the country But although petty spite kept Gen Wood
participating IN battle with the troops he trained for
E5 It was recognized simultaneously with our entry into
Ire var that his ideas preparedness night and his
PatsbuIg plan adopted Of providing the
new army with officers Now the general staff Is looking
with favor upon his plan for universal service.
HE bill soon to be submitted provides for nine months
training with the eolors IN the boys 18th year The
period Of training Is to be divided thus: One month In bar
acks for equipment classification and examination five
intensive training In the field and five months in
Ire environment Provision is made whereby IN excep
uoHa cases training nay be taken in 26th year Ten
percent Of the officers necessary train this force would
e aIaTn from the regular amy and the remainder from
ne reserve list into which being transferred most
Of the officers being discharged from active service In