South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-01-19
ASKS MILITARY
TRAINING FOR
AMERICAN BOYS
Senator WadSWorth Declares
il Would Provide Nation
al Security.
BECOMES EFFECTIVE IN 1920
By LOUIS LUDLOW.

News-Times WashhIngton Correspondent
WASHINGTON. Jan. 1s.-There
are indications that universal mill
tary training in the United States Is
nearer than ever before It looks
now as II the plan for military train
ing proposed by the subcommittee
Of the senate committee on military
affairs and incorporated in the mill
tary bill just introduced in the SEN
ate by Sen. Wadsworth, chairman Of
the committee. will meet with favor
able consideration by congress.
A new idea, that of Americaniza-
tiOn, has been introduced in the pro-
posed plan. The paramount object
of the proposed training is 10 make
first-class Americans OF the young
men Of the country, whether they
were born within the United States
or out OF II. Another idea behind
thep Ian is that it will tend 10 pre-
vent the development Of castles. The
trainers OF the legislation were ad-
vised by many thoughtful men and
women from out over the country
when they consulted that the bring
ing together of all the young men
OF the country for training purposes
would tend TO bring about a better
understanding between the rich and
the poor. the so-called highbOrn and
the so-called low-born.
National Security.
No effort is TO be made to conceal
the fact that the ultimate purpose
of the training plan is national Sc
curity, but It is believed great i'm
mediate good will result from the
Americanization features OF the
plan.
The legislation as it stands in the
Wadsworth bill provides that all
young men on reaching the age OF
1S years, or within three years
thereafter. shall be subject TO mill
tary or naval training and shall be
inducted into the army or navy for
this purpose. The proposed legisla-
tion is made applicable TO all young
men who have declared their inten-
tion to become citizens. The total
period OF training is fixed at four
months. The young man may elect
to take this training year by year,
that is 10 say, one month each year.
or he can wait until the third year
70 begin training; that is 10 say.
instead Of beginning at IS ne can
wait until he Is 21 and then take
the four months training in two
years Under regulations that may
be prescribed by the president any
young man may take two months
additional training in the four years.
II he desires 1t. Every young man
Will have the privilege Of saying
whether he desires 10 train in the
army or navy.
Becomes Effective.
II is proposed that the new train
ing system shall become effective
during the calendar year beginning
Jan. l, 1921. Any male alien who
has been a resident ef the United
States for not less than one year
and is qualified TO become a citizen
in all respects except residence. and
who II a citizen would be liable for
training. say with his consent and
under such regulations as may be
prescribed De inducted into the Serv-
ice for training purposes. An alien
who takes advantage of this oppor-
tunity for training will, on the com
pletion OF the training. receive a
certificate which will enable him 10
apply for naturalization within six
months and he will not be required
TO comply with any of the other pro-
visions OF the naturalization law.
In case an alien resident shall claim
and secure exemptions from the mil
itary training en- the ground OF
alienage. except where ne Is ex-
pressly exem pied by treaty. he shall
forever be barred from becoming a
citizen Of the United States.
Educational training Is made a
prominent feature Of the Wadsworth
(CONTINTrEn OK pACE TWO 4