Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-04-17
The Country Home
BY MRS. w. I'll. FELTON,
MILITARY Training

Military Training
The congress of the United States
is considering the plan of training
the young men and boys SO that the
nation will not be caught unpre-
pared if war is thrust upon us in
There has been animated debate
upon this subject. Many were in
favor of compulsory training. 1t
was very Objectionable to my mind,
1t smacked too much of Prussia and
the ex-kaiser's methods, In Ger
many, before the late war, every
boy in the German empire had to
serve a stated time as soldier.
Doubtless that was the reason that
Wilhelm thought about war, unit!
he plunged into it. He had an i'm
mense army modified in his midst,
or they might get into war in
side the empire. Satan always findF
some mischief for idle hands to do
and the military spirit had to ex'
pend itself either abroad or at home
Watching this development and the
tendency to fight, which naturally
grows out of constant military ac.
ton, as in Germany, I was more
than anxious to see what congress-
was likely to do. Compulsory train
ing means that all youths between
certain ages must go into military
CdilpS ana pEtCIlC6 at SOlQlGrlnS 10
a considerable time, maybe severa
years; and it looked so much lil:c
the kaisers plan that I was afraid
of it. The vote came in the house
OF representatives a very few days
ago. 1t is up to the senate at this
favorable to the bill, which passed
the house by big majority.
The bill as accepted by the house
allows military training, but this
military service must be voluntary
not compulsory. The boys who are
inclined to be soldiers can enter these
military camps and be equipped with
uniforms and guns for trial practice
puC those who are engaged in COM
lnerclal Or industrial pursuits cannot
be torn away from such pursuits
against their will, to spend their
preparation, to their own detriment.
II IS Well understood that these
OnIted States can call every able
poured man to the colors in case of
;surreetion or rebellion against estab-
nshed and constitutional govern
ment: Therefore I am very much OBJ
posed to compulsory training in
camps IN peace times. / am also
ana have always peen outspokon
against army CONSUMPTION. 1t proved
D nature in the Civil war of the COS
Consumption in Confederate times
seemed 10 take the enthusiasm out OF
the armies
We seemed to get on down-grade
When the army of Lee and Johnston
We're recruited by force and the neo-
pie subject to CONSUMPTION between
el&hteen and forty-five made haste
10 get into commissary and quarter
master departments and political in
11uenc9 along with the political pull
filled them with favorites.
DESERVING increased. Many went
across the lines-and did not return
until peace was declared. Voluntary
service Or preparation will be legiti-
! mate. There are many youths that
VIII run away to join the army-ro
trong is their infatuation for sol
ilering Those youths will be glad
& o volunteer.
/ | trust the L. s senate will adon+
us voluntay feature sand thai
'Hcsident Wilson will sign it, who
is sent to him. I should be very
..'Nch alarmed. when production Ia
or is so badly Observation-Disclosures
70 many soldiers are still in. or
/ Military camps, to add to. or make
ncr1anent this feature of proposed
military service.