Arizona republican., 1919-03-18
ENDORSE
 PLAN IF UNIVERSAL
 TRAINING FUR BOYS
Interesting Questionnaire Brings Revelations-Bet- ter Fitting Uniforms Asked -Overbearing Of ficers Criticised - 120th Division Intcrrogated
Republican A. 9. Leased Wirel

WASHINGTON, March 17-Over- whelming endorsement of a universal military training system, coupled with equally strong support for the existing disciplinary relationship between of ficers and men of the army, was ex- pressed by a. representative group of the selective service men of the 120th division, Camp Devens, Massachusetts. just before the organization was de- mobiliZed last January. The opinions of the men, numbering 1880, with an average length of service of 10.7 months, were obtained through a care fully arranged questionare system, with every saguard provided to secure absolutely free expression of opinion, and with such distribution in the divi- sion as to make the answers repre- sentative.
 The report on the inquiry was made public today at the war department. It is headed:
 Our military system, as it appeared to Americas citizen soldiers
 Although half of the men questioned were rated as dissatisfied with mill tary life, the reports show that s9.5 per cent of the replies expressed the soldiers belief that he personally had benefited by his army life; 79 per cent were glad of their training, aside from feeling of patriotism, and S8 per cent favored universal military training as national policy. A substantial ma jority agreed that the existing relation ship between officers and men was necessary. and disapproved the social mixing of the rank and file
 Suggest Better Uniforms
 The largest number of suggestions ac to fC in ha fa ceived, had to do with better fitting uniforms, or changes in mess arrange ments.
 There were more than 2o,000 men in the 120th division at the time of the inquiry, representing 47 states. The organization was awaiting orders for France when the armistice was signed. It then suffered more than two months of waiting for demobiliZation before the questionnaires were sent out, and the officers who devised and super vised the inquiry, point out that it was thus calculated to reflect army morale at it's low ebb.
 Every provision was made to ascer- | tain the views of discontented men in order that the results might have real value to the army.
 Ten questions were submitted each representing impressions to be gained 1 from the service. As to the oisciph- nary relationship, 767 men answered it was necessary, against 135 who held ! it unnecessary; 295 said it was not ! harsh. against 140 of opposite view; l 27S said it was democratic, and 155 the | opposite. and 193 held that it depended upon the officer
 | Criticise Young Officers l In the individual answers was found material which prompts the report tc state that many criticisms were di- rected against the overbearing manner seen in some young officers" One sol dier said " It all depends on how mucf l brains God gave the officer and an other said: We have to have discipline in the army, but not like some of thest 90-day lieutenantS think.
 On universal military training, the answers were emphatic. Of 1880 re plies turned in, 1,213 were flatly il favor. Good citizenship. physical ben efits and character building were tn | chief reasons of approval assigned. Th' largest number of men making recon mendationS as to the form of service urged six months as sufficient period and thought it should be given during the 18th year. A considerable numbe thought it should be part of school O college courses. Only eight men ex
 hibited a view that more than yea of training should be required, and onl, 6S favored more than six months. In expressing how they would lool
 back on their service. 1,0SS men replied
 with feelings of pride or pleasure. o
 both, while 162 merely said that the,
 were not sorry"