Evening star., 1932-10-14
Refutes Defender of
{ MARYLAND Students
To the Editor Of The Star:


n Is dinicult to understand the
strange thoughts that motivate such a
letter as that Of Herndon Paul Murray
In The Evening Star of the 11th inst,
in which he sustains the objection
10 military training on the part Of two
University Of Maryland students. He
urges that military education is one
Of the most detrimental forces in Amer
lea today" and that men bubbling
over with their knowledge OF military
science will make 1t their business to
look for international trouble" But he
fails to produce the slightest evidence
to prove that such an effect has re-
suited in the United States since the
universities adopted military training
after the Civil War.
In this country we give men military
training only for defensive purposes SC
that our homes and our institutions
may be secure. Does Mr.. Murray think
these are not worth protection? o.
would he have them protected by mobs
as the r. o. T. c. affords in colleges
makes men want to cause war. then
It follows that the training of men to
box makes them want to 60 out and
assault persons they encounter, the
training OF men to be firemen makes
them want to burn buildings and the
training of men to be policemen makes
them want to attack and kill citizens
Since the analogy Is good, Mr.. Murray
must himself be guilty Of the loose
moral opinions that he accuses the
citizenry in general of possessing.
agree that military preparedness be-
yond any possible need for defense may
lead to laccb Of carefulness on the part
Of those La authority. But under oul
system, where the military leaders in
time of war come from the homes OF
the citizens, who are interested in pre-
serving those homes and our institu-
tions, the danger that causes Mr.. Muir
ray worry does not exist. He seems
utterly unable to understand the Amer
ican viewpoint.
II Mr.. Murray will read Pamphlet
No. %, of the office Of education
United States Department of the In
terror, entitled "A Study of the Educa.
tional Value Of Military instruction in
Universities and Colleges" by Ralph
Chesney Bishop. issued early this year
he Will find there summarized the opin-
ions OF more than 10000 Graduates who
completed the r. o. T. C. courses. Ot
these, 97.1 per cent stated that they
have definite educational value apart
from the purely military aspects. Near
ly 95 per cent said that they inculcated
self-confidence, coordination of MIND
and muscle, self-control, dependability
orderly habits and practical training in
leadership. Over SO per cent responded
that this instruction not only failed to
produce militaristic attitude OF mind,
but conduced to sane patriotism and
an enlightened attitude toward peace
The instructors pointed out the repul-
Sive side of warfare and emphasized
preparedness as a security measure
which exerted sobering Offset to any
romantic conception of modern war
fare. Fully 98.5 per cent are emphati.
cally in favor of the continuance OF
these r. 0. T. c. courses, which leave.
only Is per cent TO embrace conscien-
tious oDjectors, Communists and others
Most Americans would prefer to rely
on the opinions of such persons, witt
their direct knowledge, rather than or
such theoretic drivel as Mr.. Murray
has poured forth. He appears to re.
fleet the Communistic propaganda tina,
Is being spread like poison over oul
country wherever opportunity offers
According to reports, the Communistic
headquarters in New York have con.
ceded that, Of all their recent attempt.
at violence. only two have been con.
spicuously successful, namely, the riot.
at the Ford plant in Detroit and thost
exerted through the bonus marchers ii
Washington. The news items indicate
that these unpatriotic organizations ar,
now attempting to weaken r. o. T. c
training by means of young mer
planted" In universities where sucf
courses are presented.
II Is unfortunate that such "cour,
ageous action" on the part of the TIVE
M2ryland students was not directed II
more enlightened and more prcfitabl,
channels. Unless they gain q mort
comprehensive appraisal a. Americas
institutions and the necessity of theil
protection, we shall probably find thes.
two young men among the ranks of thl
parlor Communists in the not distan nj
future. c. I. KEPHART.