The Washington herald., 1921-05-27

VETERAN WAR HORSE
RAPs DISARMAMENT.
II am absolutely opposed to dis
armament" declared Gen. Ammon
B. Critchfield. of shreve, Ohio. who
is stopping at the New Ebbitt while
on a vacation here. II won't say
that l believe disarmament will be
forever impossible, but do definite
ly believe that II is not feasible at
the present time and would be
about the most unwise action that
could be taken.
"As long as human nature 10 as
human as II has revealed itself
called civilization-and certainly II
has never shown itself more human.
than at the present time-it will be
impossible to have a continued in
ternational unity and placidity Of
which the idealists and theorists
dream and believe possible, and
which even the most phlegmatic
materialist would like to see real
lied, but which the practical-can
him a Grass materialist IL you will
know cannot be realized as long
as humanity is as it is.
DISARMAMENT WOULD
INVITE DESTRUCTION.
"The human race in its develop
ment," continued Gen. Critchfeld
after reflective pause, "is still in
the small-boy stage. Physical force
settles some questions and disputes
which will not be determined any
other way. And until human nature
is changed nations cannot afford to
disarm-that is, unless they invite
destruction. Just as the small boy
Will fight with or without weapons,
just SO will a nation sufficiently
aroused and angered find an outlet
for its passion. righteous or un-
righteous. by physical expression"
Further discussion of this subject
showed that Gen. Critchfield. former
ly adjutant general of Ohio. and a
major and A veteran of two wars
the Spanish American and the world
war. having served as a major in
the latter-is a regular war horse"
who believes sincerely in the efficacy
and necessity of arms in settling
national disputes
ESPECIALLY do I advocate an ade-
quate navy" said Critchfield, "and
by adequate / mean a navy cap
able of coping successfully with the
strongest nations of the world. with
our exposed extensive coast We can
not afford to underrate the import
ance of strong, efficient navy.
Having a navy second to none as a
hlll lya RI.
of dwelling in national security
forever. An ounce of prevention is
worth pound of cure, in my esti-
nation. when applied to individuals
and nations"
FAvORs UNIVERSAL
MILITARY TRAINING.
Critchfield also gives his firm sun
port to universal military training,
which he thinks should be based on
the plan of Switzerland.
The Swiss system of military
training is the best and most easily
applied of any that the world has
known" asserted Critchfeld, for
through its application the value to
the individual and the value to the
country are made more nearly equal
N'h DS the SSStSHl ustu IN any
other country.
Il believe, too" he continued,
that girls should be taught marks
manship as well as boys. This in
struction will certainly do no harm
and may be of great benefit in
dividually and nationally"
THINKS THAT PROHIBITION
HAS FAVOR OF NATION.
Critchield is thoroughly in har-
mony with the laws to make Ameri-
ca dry"
Il have seen many parts OF the
country before and after" said he.
and my observation convinces me
that the individual is a better man
and citizen because of prohibition;
consequently the rural districts, the
villages. the small towns. the cities
are better, which means of course
that the nation must be better, more
'healthful. more prosperous-in short
more livable now for the majority
because of prohibition.
THE wet-and-dry issue which
made James Cox politically could
not raise the least wet enthusiasm
now even If an opportunity was
given for the state to resurrect the
whisky bottle, for public sentiment
Is so in favor of prohibition and so
opposed to its annulment."
G. n. E.