The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-02-09
WILSON GIVES
TIP FOR CAUCUS
Advises Congressman Against
Opposition to Universal
Military Training.

Washington. Feb. ga. p1-
President Wilson today wrote Repre-
sentative Caldwell, a member OF the
house military committee, that II
would be inndVisablo for the house
democrats TO declare opposition to
universal military training at their
caucus tonight.
The president SAYS the disturbed
state of the world does not permit
such suronoss with regard to Amer
ica's obligations ms to allow us lightly
TO decide upon this great question
upon purely military grounds"
Ho recalls That he gave his APP
provnl in principle to tho various
very moderate" training projects
suggested by the general stam and
expresses his "strong feeling" against
action by the caucus which would
tend ITO intcrposc an arbitrary party
determination to tho consideration
which this subject should receive
from the best thought OF the mem
bCrs of tho house"
The call for the caucus tonight was
issued by Representative Clark, the
democratic leader, on petition of n
number Of democrats opposed Ia gem
clnl military training,
The Presidents views are set forth
In "A letter TO Secretary Baker trans
mittcd today to SCmucratic leaders IN
the house. Mr. Wilson says II would
be "untortunntC to mako q party is
sue OF this subject, particularly since
within a few months the party viii
assemble In convention and declare
the principles upon which II deems
II wise 10 commit itself In a national
election"
Text Wilson's Letter
The presidents letter follows:
MY Dear Mr. SecrotHry--l am told
that "A caucus Of the democratic NOM
bors ,t the house OF representatives.
had been called TO consider pending
legislation, aud that the suggestion
had been made that a resolution bo
adopted committing the democratic
momhorahip of the house against the
policy Of general military training,
In the present circumstance, 1t would
seem 10 me unfortunate 10 make u
party Issue upon this subject, par
ticularly since within few months
the party viii assemble IN convene
tlon and declare the principles upon
which II deems II wise 10 commit
Itself IN a national election The
present disturbed state of the world
business does not permit such sure
ness with regard 10 Americas oblt-
cations as 10 allow uB lightly to de
eide upon this great question upon
purely military grounds Whilc the
demonstrated advantage 10 the youth
of tho country which come from mill
itaIy service In the war plainly suE-
costs that I'm thc national interest.
quite apart from purely military con-
sidcraiionq. q moderate and carefully
conducted course ot universal train
ing may have the highest possible
advantage. In our discussion OF this
subject you viii recall / gave my
approval iu principle 90 tho very
moderate trimming project surEcat"d
by the general ataH, uul { would ho
very glad 10 have you convey TO
appropriate members oi "a, house
who viii attend the caucus my strong
feeling against action by the ruu,us
which VIII trnd tu iutcrpuvc AN arr
hitrary party determination to the
consideration which thiH subject
should receive from the boost thought
of The members of the house. cuusId-
cring alike the national emergencies
which may confront us aud tho Erclt
disciplinary and other advantages
which su.h a system plainly prom
iscs for Tho youuE W'n uf the country.
Cordially aud sincerely yours.
WOODROW WILSON,