Evening star., 1940-06-13
c. 6. 6. end Defense

c. 6. G. end Defense
While Europe's war flames leap
higher and higher, throwing into
ever bolder relief the dangerous
weaknesses OF our national defense
system, the American people are
treated to the disheartening spec
tacle of their chosen representatives
in the Senate wrangling at length
over whether it would be imposing
on members of the Civilian Conser-
vation Corps to afford them some
Elementary military" training. And
the Senate, by substantial vote,
yesterday held that it would, indeed,
be an imposition! The whole debate
was touched off by an inquiry from
Senator George of Georgia as to why
proposed c. c. C. training for defense
was to be restricted to "non-com-
batant" subjects, such as cooking,
first aid, automobile mechanics and
photography. He said he thought
these young men also should be given
training in the fundamentals of SOL
diering-for their own good.
Surprisingly, the principal oppo-
nent of this sensible plan was the
administration leader in the Senate,
Senator Barkley of Kentucky. He
spoke of taking advantage" of the
c. c. c. boys. of imposing" upon
young boys from the poorer FAM
lies" OF the inadvisability of "pick-
ing out" the c. C. C. for a start on
compulsory military training" In
short, the whole tenor of the opposi-
ton was that to institute any SEM
blance OF military nstruction-even
nom -combatant training-in C. C. C.
camps would be to render a dis
service to the boys, to single them
out in advance for conscription, to
stlgmatize them as draftees. This
is the shallowest sort of thinking,
and it is high time that shallow
thinking in matters affecting the
Nations welfare and security be dis
placed by straight forward reason
ing based on reality.
What is so discreditable about mil
ltary training, about preparing to
defend ones life and home and
country, anyway? The Star believes
that it would be to the distinct
advantage of the young men of the
c. c. c. to be given a few months
OF military instruction in the manual
OF arms and the rudiments Of drill
In advance of any compulsory draft
rather than to be mobilized in an
emergency without benefit Of train
Ing. The Star believes that a real
dlsService will be done these youths
If, in this hour of grave peril, they
were deprived of the opportunity Of
fitting themselves to respond if their
country should call them.
To liken such training to COM
pulsory military service is the height
OF absurdity. None of the c. c. C.
boys is compelled to join that organ
lzation-and If one of the enrollees
is willing to accept the Governments
of1er OF work relief through the C.
c. c., he should and undoubtedly
would welcome the chance to help in
preparing for the defense of that
Government in time of need.
Every citizen-Senators and C. C.
c. boys alike-might as we'll face the
grim fact that, unless some miracle
happens in Europe, drastic curtail-
ment OF non-military made work"
Is inevitable. We must awake to the
1nescapable prospect of militarism
being forced upon us, whether we
like the sound of the word or not.
Some system of universal military
training is demanded by the times.
And If we should have to take up
arms in actual combat with a foe,
1t is sheer nonsense to contend that
c. c. c. boys would be sent into bat
tie while other young men stayed
behind. Every informed person
knows that if and when IN Day"
comes, there can and will be no class
distinctions among the recruits. All
will serve their country on an equal
footing and without discrimination
except that the lads who have had
the benefits of preliminary military
training will have a decided advan-
tage over their fellow doughboys
when the time comes to march.