Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1940-08-15
Consumption 3?

OOnScf1puOn +:
In last weeks issue of the
Askov American was published
an article by Maxwell S. Stewart
in The Nation, opposing con-
scription. Herewith is the other
article from the Nation, by Freda
Kirchwey, entitled There is no
Alternative" upholding conscrip-
ton:
Almost every sentence in Maxwell
Stewards attack on CONSUMPTION in
this issue of The Nation is, by itself,
convincing. The trouble with his
argument lies in its premises. He
analyses the proposal for universal
military service today in terms of
the draft army of 1917, and in those
terms he opposes it-cogently. If our
army is to be only the A. E. F. over
again, its value is certainly to be
questioned. But the very circum-
stances in which it is being created
insure important differences.
The conscript army of 1917 was
improvised after war had been de-
clared. With surprising efficiency
considering the pressure of events, but
hastily none the less, two million men
were selected, trained and put under
arms. The raising of this army was
a temporary break in a normal ma
tional life in which military affairs
were happily remote from the ordi-
nary citizen. After the war arma-
ment expenditures were sharply re-
duced, the army was demobilized, and
the United States washed its hands of
the affairs of Europe.
Contrast the situation today: France
disastrously defeated in the field and
Hitler lord over continental Europe;
Britain, with no unconquered allies
except its colonies and the dominions,
facing imminent assault. No one
knows whether Britain will be able
to resist or will be overwhelmed with
the loss of empire and fleet. But, at
best, we cannot realistically hope for
an early defeat of Hitler. Churchilrs
warning after Dunkerque that a sue
cessful withdrawal must not be con-
fused with a victory applies to Eng
lands present situation. A successful
resistance will also not be a victory.
The political and military dominance
of Nazi Germany, together with the
spreading power of Japan in Asia
these are the controlling character
istics of the world of 194O The crea-
ton of a strong army is not tenn
porary emergency measure; it is part
of a long-range program necessitated
by world situation which is likely
to grow worse.
A period of peace preceded the war
of 1914. 1t was period pricked with
warnings for those who chose to see
them; but few did. The world awoke
to war with start. The present war
is different. It began-where? In
the Rhineland or in Ethiopia? Or
before that in the bare hills of Man.
churia? It is not an event that can
be pinned down with date, but this
much is sure: Hitler did not defeat
France in forty days of invasion; he
defeated France in the years that went
before-years of deliberate, implac-
able preparation. Britain and France
were at peace during those years,
but Germany was at war. Britain and
France approached the final show
down in much the same mood that
characterized the years leading up to
1914-the same old diplomatic ma
neuvers, the conventional pre-World
War military preparations. They be-
lieved that they were at peace until
they found themselves fighting, but
all the time they were in process of
being conquered.
1t is this error that the United
Statee should avoid. AS long as Nazi
despotism rules Europe and threatens
the world, so long must the word
and hope of peace be banished from
our minds. Even today the United
States is no longer at peace. 1t is
living in a state of war preparation
which will last until fascism has been
defeated. Hitler's successes and fur
Their ambitions have thrust upon us
an unwelcome but unacceptable job of
total preparation. Out of nothing =
speaking relatively-we must create
a war machine, not as an emergency
improvisation but as an integral part
of our national life in the years to
come.
Maxwell Stewart opposes conscrip-
ton for two reasons. First, he con-
tends, we need no large army; two
ocean navy, an expanded air force,
together with anti-aircraft defenses,
and well-equipped army of about
100000 men are all that is required.
For such an army CONSUMPTION is un-
necessary. Second, American exper-