New-York tribune., 1919-06-12
Let the lie ague Do 1T!

To the Editor of The Tribune.
q 1R: Some months ago the National Sc.
curity League commenced to be delugd
with requests from all parts of the coun.
try for material to be used in high school and
college debates on universal military train.
ing. Statewide discussions have been held
by interscholastic and intercollegiate debat-
ing societies in Oklahoma, North Carolina
and Texas. Checking up on the results Of
these debates and those held in other states
the league has learned that universal mill
tary training was defeated at the ratio Of
practically two to one. The reasons given
for this were various and interesting.
A. C. Scott, director of the Extension Ser.
vice of the University of Oklahoma, writes
the league: "My personal opinion is that
very heavy reaction will set in-probably
has set in now-against military training,
and that it will take very vigorous props.
ganda, indeed, to hold our people to it."
E. Selke, superintendent of schools Of
Paynesville, Mimi, writes: "The negative
won because their points were stronger, viz,
fear that the United States would become
a militaristic nation under system of com.
pulsory training; that returned soldiers mini.
mize the value of military training; that
the ideals Of the nation opposed to any
extensive system of military training and
the feeling that this was waged t, pre-.
vent future wars and that there are to mol
more wars"
William F. Acree, participant in con-.
test in Tuttle, Okla, writes: THE negative
won on the argument that universal military
training violates American ideals and would
therefore, brutalize American youths" I
Alfred J. Maryott writes from East
Providence, R. l.: "Our negative won byf
stressing the lack of military necessity, lhsI
possibility of obtaining the benefits te thsb
individual in other ways and the untime essf
of the proposition because of the ter OIL
the peace conference and the possibilities OH
a league of nations" II
MERIT Gibson, of Hallsville, Tex, writes' 4
awe were beaten by the negative stressInsH
the league of nations idea, and the idea thasE
we are entering upon new era in history
era of so-called peace on earth and gooa
will toward men,"
Miss Pamela Bynum, of Winston Salem
N. c., writes: "The league of nations ideal
as a substitute for military training is veryI
popular
Practically the only encouraging commensI
received by the league in the reports WI
from Stuart Wagner, a member of teamI
from Harrisburg, Penn. which had success
fully upheld the affirmative side. He writcs'l
Previous to the debate there was not
member Of the affirmative team who reahJ
believed in the things which they were =
prove. After careful study Of the literata"
sent US by the National Security LeaxSsH
our attitudes changed Not only did we sso
ceed in proving to. the judges that univeFsA
military training is essential, that it
American in principle, and that the Unu.
States would prove herself undemocratic ~
un-Amcrican If she did not accept it, e~
also to many other persons who were pre-
ent"
The league considers the results in th
debates and the comments thereon me
Illuminating as an exposition of an enormc
sentiment against universal military trasg
ing which will have to be overcome
trust that you will keep up the fight.
f. L. HARVEY,
Publicity Director tho National Security
League.
New York. June Z. 1919.