Omaha daily bee., 1920-02-13
Wig They Won't Giue Us
Universal Training
From the Chicago Tribune.

Congressman Kahn of California chairman
OF the house committee on military AFFAIRS, IN ms
argument for universal military training, said
that it was insurance against war which, ac-
cording to estimates, would cost the country
about $l300O0000 year. g..
The which we fought cost the nation
$550000O0000, including loans to allies. 1t IS
the conviction of many Americans that II tine
United States had universal military training
before this war this nation would not have been
in it and could have rescued France, II our AID
was needed, by merely stating that it would get
in it, Our negligibility as an immediate military
factor was our danger and the worlds danger.
We may say that our negligence cost us @oo,-
000000000 and thousands of lives ~,
That was the cost of unpreparedness. Inc
cost of preparedness is estimated at Sl5O,O0O,0OO
year. Mr.. Kahn says that the cost OF war
constantly increases. We prefer to pay III times
annually in interest upon war debts what we
would be required to pay for protection against
war debts and in addition tax ourselves ana
succeeding generations to reduce the debt
War is nations extravaganza. Protection
against war is nations thrift. Yet the op-
position to universal training in congress, says
that the thrift is extravaganza. 1t IS SAID, put
gets no attention, that nation would be IN
vesting its money wisely to get the peace Dement'S
OF the system, the physical and national toning,
the stimulation and incentive, the individual and
social benefits. These benefits can be proved
They would give-the citizenship of the country
what the nation wisely gives its live stock.
Mr.. kahns argument is sound, logical, and
substantated. What are the replies Of the op-
position? Take our own Illinois congressman.
Madden, Brtten and w. w. Wilson are for the
policy. Mckinley is afraid it will interfere with
the economic life of the young man. The inter-
ference of war is disregarded. Brooks is op-
posed because we have just made enormous ex-
penditures. We were forced to make them be-
cause of the policy which woihd repeat the ex-
perlence.
Juul is opposed, believing that we should
give the money to men who fought the war.
And necessarily ask them to fight another one
if it came within the period OF their physical
ability. Denlson does not think it necessary or
desirabe-an assailabe point of view. King
would not object to training, but he would not
have it compulsory. He would allow the men
patriotic enough to volunteer for training to be
patriotic enough to do the fighting to protect
the slackers.
Williams is opposed because he does not think
that a strong military establishment is con-
siStent with a democracy. A democracy de-
emergencies and consequently pay twice. the
price in men and money The essence Of
democracy, then, is that it should be continually
weak, stupid and merclcss to the men who try
to save t-that it should be afraid to trust itself
to its own people if they are organized as
to make other peoples respect their rights
Fuller believes in not spending money to
prevent wars. We presume he prefers to spend
the money in having wars. Mason is back on
halowed ground He is opposed because Illinois
can and will send men springing from the soil
in time of emergency. We take off our hats to
this survival