Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-08-05
Antipathyi in U. S.
on EnIistmen

Copyright, 1920. by The Washing
ton starr

Ton CLdI.V
WASHINGTON, Aug. 5.-"Whai
is the cause for the antipathy of the
young men of the country to the
naval and military service of the
United States?" government officials
are inquiring The query is ELECTED
by the complaint that applications
for appointment to the naval acad-
envy at Annapolis have fallen off: the
marine corps has to keep up a con-
tinual propaganda for enlistments in
that service and the army is at work
all the time to get men.
The slackness of demand for APP
pointments to the naval academy
causes surprise. In years past there
were scores more applicants thar
places. Appointments to the academy
were among the best valued asscsts
of congressman, as patronage. In
oiden days, they we're usually given
out to the sons of influential men IN
the congressman's district, or to poll
ticians whose support was necessary.
Later, the practice became general of
awarding these much valued prizes
to the boys who had distinguished
themselves in school at home, and
who showed genuine merit. promis-
ing a successful r in the navy.
1t is VIII known of course, that
1 IN oAAa 1AQ 80
academy equip young men educa-
tionally to a degree which sends
them forth to rank in intellectual
training with the products of the
best schools in the world. Moreover.
they come out of these establish
ments disciplined, hardened physi-
cally, "men' in every sense of the
word. They have received a certain
amount of social polish. in prepara-
ton for taking their places in the
world as Officers and gentlemen" to
mingle with the highest in any land.
They must know how to deport
themselves in the presence of royalty
and the s~o-called mobility" of Eur
ope, without abating their own self
respect as Americans, the equals of
the best.
And while receiving all these ad-
vantages, they are paid and support
ed by the government. They are
trained in technical and scientific
courses, in engineering and all
branches of the worlds work. This
consideration has induced young men
in the past to go through the acad-
emies, profiting by the governments
strict curriculum and drilling, in
tending to leave the service after
graduating and apply their talents
thus secured in private enterprise.
But such instances are becoming
more rare. The fact is, 1t is said,
the young man at West Point or An
napolis, whose heart is not in his
work to be pursued as a calling
throughout his life. who is purely of
a commercial spirit, is likely to find
the task too much for him, to find
his surroundings distasteful and IL
his purpose is revealed to his COM
" "A hs~a.A1f IfElflyna
1t is claimed that the life at West
Point and Annapolis is so strenuous
that only those who have the added
sur of genuine enthusiasm for the
sea or for the army are likely to
stand up under the many rigorous
phases of academy life. This. it is
argued, is as it should be, as the
object of the establishments is not
to equip men for private enterprise
but to round out born soldiers
and born sailors and fit them for
their country's service.
The marine corps and the naval
service are in the market for re-
cruits, offering many advantages
and inducements to young men for
enlistment. To enter the navy. In
the ranks, does not require con-
| gressional influence nor the founda-
tions of an academic education. A
good physique, good character and
a common school education are all
that is necessary. If the applicant
is a likely looking subject to the
trained and appraising eye of the
recruiting officer, deficiencies of
education may be passed over, to be
supplied later.
The youngsters who enter the
naval service are promised travel in
foreign seas, physical and mental
training, and ii they desire. special
training in some mechanical
branch. They may become cleo
tricians, engineers, machinists, or
fit themselves for a variety of me-
chanical industries, while they are
paid, clothed and fed. They are
taught obedience to authority. re-
spect for the law. consideration for
others, and utter fearlessness.
The marine corps appears to ap-
peal to the more adventurous spirits
of the youth, as it has a glamor of
romance and battle. That is a good
things; the corps either gives a
young man his full" of adventure,
or tames his over-wild spirit to a de-
gree to make him a better associate
for the rest of mankind.
To get back to the question asked
at the outset; the only satisfactory
answer which n p~ropounderS see
is the suggestion that the money
making spirit of the inflated period
during and after the war has fired
the young men with a greater zeal
for instant and immediate material
welfare than for their future pros
poets. 1t is feared that the money
making craze has taken possession
of many young men, who might
otherwise yield to the call of the
military and naval service.