Evening star., 1942-05-08
Urges Conscription
Of Younger Soldiers
Writer Argues for Troining
Of Boys in Physical Toushness
And 'MutuoI Confidence

| To the Editor Of The Star:
That three years and 100000 900 men
will be necessary to win is the thought
of most of those who are qualified to
face the real facts OF the world conflict
in which our country now Is engaged.
A most essential factor in war is the
necessity of the civil population. and
especially the women, to adapt them
selves to reality. After week Of con-
sultation with those in Washington who
should be in a position to make an esti-
mate, this writer definitely has reached
the conclusion that the minimum length
of the war for which Americans must
be prepared is three years. This was
the thought Of those who were opti-
n1istic. The more realistic students ex-
pressed the opinion that it might take at
least three years to beat Hitler and five
years to regain complete control Of the
Western Pacific which, since December
7. 194l, the United Nations have been
losing step by step.
II these premises be correct, and, of
cal. We can conclude that by the end of
1945 there will be not less than 10 ZOO, 900
Americans in the service The Army
will require at least 100000; the Navy,
including the Marines and Coast Guard,
another 1000 900, and the Air Force, in
Guiding those in the ground service,
ultimately may require at least 1000 900.
In an extended war the minimum gross
casualties which can be anticipated will
be at least 10 per cent of the entire num-
Der called up. (By net casualties is
meant those who are permanently out
of the line; that is, dead, prisoners,
missing. permanently ineffective for
military service. BY gross casualties is
meant those who become ineffective for
month or more. many OF whom may
ultimately return to duty In the last
war, the figures ran much higher, the
Russians suffering nearly so per cent,
the British between 30 and 40 per cent.
while the French losses were proba bly,
equally as high as those of the British.
The losses OF the Central powers possibly
were even greater.
1t therefore seems necessary for
Americans to reconcile themselves to the
calling up of at least 10000, 900 men. The
problem which must be considered Is
how our country may recruit that large
number with the least possible impair
ment to the social, economic and in
dustrial life Of the Nation. In the opin-
ion OF many Of those who are best quail
fed to judge. the CONSUMPTION law should
be amended to apply to those down to
and including the age of 49,
1t, OF course, is sad that any OF our
youth should be sacrificed in battle
But, unfortunately, there is little room
for sentiment in war and this subject
must be approached internationally. All
observers who have been with troops
In the field, I believe, will agree that
boys between the ages Of 18 and %, If
they be physically fit make the best
soldiers. The reasons are obvious. Few
In the lower age brackets have yet been
absorbed In the industrial and economic
system of the country, and few have
any dependents or are smarried, and for
this reason enter battle with far less
reservations for their own safety than
those who are thinking of relatives who
will be left without support in case of
their becoming casualties.
Regardless of the strain on emotions
and sentiment In having youth taken
for the service, all those who have dear
ones who have been or will be called
up, should realize that their chances of
surviving the war are in large meas
ure based on their training and fitness
for service. 1t should require two years
to train a man physically for combat.
Any soldier who has studied troops will
realize that unframed men are like
sheep led to slaughter. This writer has
seen the Russian troops march 80 miles
a day and the Japanese IS miles with
packs ranging from 10 to 90 pounds 1t
is obvious that unless a boy be physical
ly tough, he cannot stand the strain on
his physique.
II those who are trying to keep their
youth at home had seen splendid boys
collapsing on the road from sheer ex-
baustion, as have, they would realize
the importance OF their being tough
ened for at least year before they
are called on to face the hardships of
war. In addition troops should be
trained and disciplined with the same
oficers and non commissioned officers
and with each other so that when they
finally are called into action, they act
as unit and their morale is high based
on the mutual confidence of each in the
other and in their officers. Hard disci-
pline and long training teaches men
to take cover when they come under
heavy fire and 1t has been the obser-
vation of this writer that the casual
ties of unframed and undisciplined
troops are twice that of those who have
had from one to two years service with
the colors.
AS far as know there is no thought
at present to rush unframed troops into
combat, but every effort Is being made
by all branches OF the service to pre-
pare the younger men to meet the
physical hardships Of war.
If. as we have assumed the war is
to last minimum OF three years it
will be the boys who are now from 1s
to 20 who will be the shock troops of
1914 and 1945. Under the present law
the minimum age is 20 which means
that before they really are fit for
active service they will be % years of
age or older. 1t always muct be re-