Evening star., 1940-06-20
The Political Mill
RooseveIt's Plan for Universal Trojnino
Should Not Be Political Football

the Dutch and the British, for ex-
ample, in this hemisphere shall not
be taken over by the Germans and
the Italians. How is the United
States going to enforce this law?
Obviously, II 1t is challenged, this
country must fight or allow the law
to fall by the wayside.
The Democratic Way.
Universal military training is the
fair way, the democratic way, to
provide an Army and a Navy and an
air force sufhciently powerful to de-
fend this country and this hemi-
sphere as we are now committed to
90, against foreign attack. It is
also, In the long run. the only way.
Men are not trained to fight with
modern weapons overnight.
Furthermore, in the long run, the
training of the young men of this
country for military service, as they
reach certain age, will be less costly.
II they are required to give a years
service. in training, they will be paid
a nominal sum. They will be given
a good living, however, and will
learn not only how to fight, but dis
clpline and how to work.
A great deal of lip service is given
today to the cause of national de-
Tense. Every one says this country
must have adequate" national de-
tense. Just how 1t is to have this
adequate national defense is another
matter. The principle of universal
training and universal service is
easily understandable. Whether the
Republican party or the Democratic
will have courage enough to write
into their party platforms a recon-
mendation for adherence to this
principle, leaving the details to be
worked out by Congress, remains to
be seen.
A Job for Congress.
The President has said he will
send a message to Congress soon.
embodying his plan for universal
Government service for the youth
Of the country. Congress, 1t appears
now, will not adjourn sine die. with
the war In Europe still under way
and many problems to meet in this
country. There is no better job
Congress could do than to take up
the Presidents recommendations for
universal training. when they are
made. and whip them into shape
If they need whipping-to provide
for a really adequate system of ma
tional defense of this country and
the Western Hemisphere
The danger is that If war should
end in Europe in a comparatively
short time, this country will be
lulled into sense of false security
with no immediate threat of war
from any source. If that occurs,
time, which is the essence, will be
lost.
Would Reduce Crime.
There is one angle of the proposal
for universal military training which
is not often stressed. Crime has
been on the increase in this country.
1SkOoI Va VIC VI lklllAldio dlC JOuIlk
men, A system of military training
might prevent many of these men
from becoming criminals.
Only about 100000 young men
reach the age of 18 years or 10 years
or 20 years in this country in a
single year. Not all OF them are
capable of military training for
physical reasons. If one of these
ages was selected for the beginning
of years training, the Government
would have probably less than a mil
lion young men in training at all
times.
President Roosevelt's proposal
will be awaited with keen interest.
There are too many men and women
in this country today who believe
that the Nation should be ready to
defend itself at all times to make
1t otherwise. His proposal should
not be made only political foot
ball.