The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-09-01
5l,lt Military Bill
Entirely Opposed To
The MiLitaristic Idea
|Alabamian's Measure Would Make Regular
Peace Time Army No Stronger Than
$1,000 Men, Instead of $4,000
By HUGH w. ROBERTS

Washington, August 31.-(Speciai)
rhe essential difference between the
Dent military bill, the features of
which The Age-Herald has printed.
and those prepared by Senator Cham
berlain, Representative Kahn and the
general staff of the War Department
is that the one was written in opposi-
tion to the compulsory training idea
and in support of the state militas,
whereas the others hew more closely
Ito the demands of the militaristic
school.
The Alabamian's measure would
make the regular army in times of
peace no stronger than 100000 men,
Whereas the War Department wants
a force of $4,000. Mr.. Dent is opposed
to universal compulsory military train
ing. whereas the War Department
wants every 19-year-old boy in the
United States to be trained for three
months and then released subject to
call. Senator Chamberlain, in his
measure, goes even further than the
War Department. He establishes con-
scription during an era of peace by
providing that at any time the regular
army is not maintained by volunteers
. to the necessary strength men trained
and reserved may be drafted into the
army, each state contributing it's PRO
rata share.
Mr.. Dent makes no effort to con-
ceal his fondness for the national
guard. The War Department, or
rather the general staff, apparently
has no favor to show the guard Nj.
Dent feels that the citizen soldiery of
the nation made a brilliant record in
France and should not only be relieved
of the burden incident to the opposi-
ton OF regular army officers, but
should be shown certain marked con-
cessions. He holds that the man
charged with the administration of
the national guard should be a ma
tionai guard man-and one, by virtue
of that fact, friendly to the guard.
And he provides in his bill that such
a man shall be appointed by the Presi-
dent from national guard membership.
SHARP FIGHT UNAVOIDABLE
Mr.. Dent will precipitate a sharp
fight beyond all question. He will be
opposed by those DESTROYS of universal
training, of those insisting on a big
army in time of peace and of those an
tagonistic to the national guard. He
will be supported by those opposed to
to an alleged militaristic trend on the
part of the general staff and those
who believe that the national guard
should be given opportunity to come
into it's own.
There is, of course, doubt that Mr..
Dents bill will prevail The author
of the measure, however, is confident
that he will be able to make strong
showing, and believes that he has a
fine chance of success. He believes
that he will defeat the general staff 5
I bill in the House committee.
Compulsory military training has
ardent friends and some very strong
enemies. Such training would unques-
tionably build up great military
( strength in the United States and
therefore would prepare the United
States against any future emergency
Z And it would have tendency to inn
prove the health and general manhood
of the country.
On the other hand, it is question
able in the minds of some men if II
would be to the best interest of the
nation to build up a military machine
in times of peace. 1T would make the
general staff supreme in the affairs
Of the country. 1t would subject all
young men, every man, eventually, 20