The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-05-09
PERSH|NG APPEALS ID YOUNG MEN ID
 60 IN TRAINING
Points Out Many Benefits Which Result From System atic Training of Civilians
 In Camps
Rx Associated Press

Washington, May S.--Genera1 Pershing appealed today to the young men of the country to attend the citizens training camps to be held this summer, and thus help the war department to build up trained citizen reserve organized to meet the emergency of var
 Our position and influence in world affairs" said General Pershing, "are not measured by our wealth and population, nor by our free and liberal form of government, but by our efforts to matn- tain the high principle of justice and humanity upon which our institutions are founded. The fulfilment of this purpose depends upon our readiness to defend it's integrity.
 Our traditions are opposed to the maintenance of large standing army but we have consistently failed to train our citizen soldiers in time of peace and have waited until war was declared be- fore making any move to that end. While recognizing the principle that every citi- never emphasized the obligation of the individual to prepare himself to serve his country Yet that is debt to the country that falls upon all of us.
 From purely military standpoint, our policy should provide first, permanent military establishment large enough to guard against sudden attack; second, force sufficient to meet our international obligations, particularly on the American continent; third, such force as may be necessary to meet our internal require- ments. and fourth, a trained citizen re- serve organized to meet the emergency of war"
 MANY BENEFITS RESULT
 Many benefits result from the syste- matic training of civilians through such camps as the war department proposes 10 conduct the General continued, in- cluding the medication in the youth of the country of respect for, constituted authority and the principles aof self-dis- cipline. Such training also encourages initiative and gives young men confl- dence in their abilities, in addition to developing physical vigor and manli- ness, and fostering the national spirit or patriotism, the general added.
 By providing such a course of instruc- ton. you are affording the young man an Fopportunity for development which he cannot get in any other way" he contended. Tt is especially needed among
 
 our alien population, large percentage of whom are illiterate. All these bene- fits have been bestowed upon the young men who composed our forces during the war and who, as result. have become our most patriotic citizens"
 As head of the newly created general headouarters staff, charged with the duty of directing the American forces in the field in time of war. General Pershlng will have much to do with the future training and organization of the nation military reserves. In today's statement he characterized the traditions, achieve monts and high ideals of the natlonai guard and national army units as va, 1,ahla national asset and expressed the ballef that these organizations should be held together as reserve divisons into which young men could pass after fin- ishing course in the civilian trainins camps or an enlistment in the army.