The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-11-28
''L0ADED" MILITARY
TRAINING BILL TO
OCCUPY CONGRESS
BY w. r. PoUNDsToNE.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 2s.--
The question Of permanent military
policy for the United States, inevitably
involving the acceptance or rejection
of universal military training, undoubt-
edly will receive the consideration of
congress at its forthcoming session.
Its appearance upon the legislative
stage is expected to stir up national
controversy equalled only by the re-
cent agitation over the proposed
league Of nations.
Proponents OF national policy Of
compulsory military training for
tive in Washington in recent weeks,
and one Of the leaders in the move
ment is Senator Harry s. New, Of
Indiana. He has the Endorsement of
the Indiana Legislature which, last
February, went on record to the effect
that it was the sentiment of that body
that the principle of universal COM
pulsory military service should be en-
bodied in the future military policy of
our country" in concurrent resolution
No. l.
The question Of compulsory mill
tary training is not partisan one, for
1t has its advocates and opponents
among the Republicans and Democrats
forming the membership of the House
OF Representatives and the Senate.
There is every reason to believe that
when the question comes before con-
gress for action the decision will be
reached without the bias Of partisan
ship intruding. which is as It should
be for the determination of a perman-
ent military policy for the United
States is Of too vital importance to
To 90 MI VT
Congress is not going to take up the
ing with any particular relish. The
majority of members Of congress
frankly admit it to be live wire"
question, to be approached and
handled with the utmost delicacy, for
among the voters Of the country there
are just as many active and vigorous
opponents of compulsory military
training, of any form or character, as
there are ardent proponents Of such a
plan.
The disposition Of congress to post
pone consideration Of this highly load
ed permanent military policy until the
proverbial eleventh hour was clearly
shown by the action of the military
affairs committee Of the House in sub
hitting, Just at the close Of the recent
special session, its army reorgan1za-
ton bill minus any provisions pertain
ing to compulsory military training.
This committee explained in the re-
port accompanying it's bill that the
committee expected at later date to
take up the question of universal
service.
Pershlng In Action.
Some of the big guns of the advo-
Gates Of universal military training
have been in action recently, notably
General John J. Pershing and General
P. C. March, chief of staff.
In testifving before the Joint session
of the military affairs committees Of
the House and Senate General Perish
ing advised the establishment OF a
regular army, to be recruited by voun-
tary enlistment, of between 100000
and 800, 900 men, to be supported by
a citizens army to be organized and
maintained under the system OF COM
pulsory military training, to be avail
able in time Of war.
In advising a regular army not to
exceed 100000 men, General PershlnS
is in direct opposition to his superior,
the secretary of war. Mr.. Baker. who
recommended to the house military
affairs committee the establishment Of
a regular army OF over ooo'oOo Aeh
So far, however, Mr.. Baker has re-
manned mute on the question of uni
versal service.
In his report for 1919, just issued.
General March, chief Of staff, writes:
universal training. which can be ar
ranged so as to afford negligible In
reference with the industrial and
educational activities of the individual
or Of the nation, will, by developing
physically. mentally and morally the
youth Of the country, make them BET
ter citizens as we'll as better soldiers.
The force which have indicated as
being the minimum required by a
sound military policy for the adequate
protection of the country, Ga regular