Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1919-08-26
TO -PRussIANIzE" AMERICA


A measure more subversive TO the
liberty of the American people has not
been proposed In recent years than the
Chamberlain-Kahn CONSUMPTION bill
which has the backing OF the general
staff and the war department Under
the guise OF preparedness. the autocrats
of West Point are reaching out after
the youth of the country that they may
make their own caste more secure
through the power which this measure
viii place In their hands. When the
American youth are taken from their
homes for service in the regular army.
the people win begin 10 realize that
they have been betrayed into assent
10 system that Is thoroughly Prussian
in conception and In operation.
A few years ago the people were lis
tening TO the siren song OF the pacifists,
and they elected a president ON the
strength OF having been keep out OF
war" From the folly of this extreme,
they now are listening TO the military
east who are serving hut their own
selfish interests, having failed TO get
the recruits to build up the machine
over which they are to exercise des-
"barons" now hold rank beyond their
rosiest dreams and this temporary
authority has gone To their heads like
wine. Unless they can get the men.
they cannot hold the rank, therefore
they propose to build their fortunes at
the expense of the taxpayers and wiring
il out of the blood and sweat OF the
youth of America. More men. more
generals. And In times of peace II is
a pretty soft job 10 swagger around In
Uniform with almost unlimited authori.
~ over thousands OF men, and in time
OF war the brunt of the fight will be
born as IL was in the war just finished.
by volunteer officers and men whose
only reward is the chance OF coming
our with n whole skin. This last they |
cannot deny, because the casualty lists
w,ll show IT,
But Il is the youth for which we
should be concerned. The West |
Pointers are for the most part the fav-
orrd sons of political bosses, and thcy |
have every incentive within the limits
of ambition. save only sufficient can
non fodder" What does the Chamber.
Kahn hill offer TO the equally free
aud intelligent youth who haven't the
pull TO enter the military academy? /
They may serve. OF course, the whole
scheme IL m-Amcrican, since II in.
Olives eOnscription In time OF peace
and means not merely military train
ing. which Is In itself beneficent. bu.
military training i'm the regular army.
If they want TO train the youth OF Anne
rica. let them send their officers TO
the public schools to serve as other
serve. But that would never
suit The military east, who wants ALSO
Lutte authority over the youths. TO take
theIa out Of their homes and schools
and order them to Panama. Alaska,
Philippines, China and perhaps Siberia.
Such a system would do away alto
q Their with the citizen-soldier, who
may serve in the National Guard In {
peace times volunteer In time Of war,
or be drafted. II that becomes neces- !
sary. II was the citizen-sOldier that Z
I'rre the brunt Of the world war and he
lcp tilted himself with honor and went .
ack tn his work. The average citizen J.
Doesn't Iauch mind LAYING his son y
serve in the National Guard unit OF
bis home town. with officers that he =
.rOws and under th' limited authority !
" the governor OF the state He Is y
when that son is placed
IN the federal service in time OF emer- y
sency. because he feels that II Is nee {
'ssary. hut what will he think when at
he age OF 10 wears his son Is ordered TO
/ L. $. military post?
Now is the time 10 combat this in
liduous evil that Is being foisted on a
he people for the greater Qualification q
II the military east. II Is clear in r,
'asion OF the rights OF the people to Il
Orce them 10 service In the regular h
Irmy in time OF peace. and, II they h
lon't set their heel on the head of the I,
attic snake. they will find. like the IN
'rairie dog. that somehow they viii tC
ave to live In the same hole with 1t.
But II won't be pleasant way to live. q
~ any one can testify who knows how Il
rbtrary and tempermental the aver p
&c regular army officer is. even with al
he limited authority he now possesses II
yer men that are under his command 81
y free choice. oi