The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-01-20
Editorial
Gives Sound Advice

Secretary of the Navy Knox
SPOKE words of wisdom last Fri
day when he advocated one year or
compulsory military training for
every boy when he attains the age
of II or Is.
That suggestion will make many
pacifists see red but nevertheless, 1t
is sound advice. For long time we
have had little patience with those
who decry at military prepared
ness on the assumption that such
preparation always leads to an ex-
cessive militarism and to war. The
folly of such a position has been
disproved SO often that it would
seem no one could still be mislead
by it. AS long as world society re-
mains in an imperfect state, as long
as ambitious men and without prln-
ciple still aspire for world DONNA
ton, just so long will armies and
navies be needed It is asinine to
think otherwise And to permit
great ana rich nation to be unpre-
pared is a crime against all us
people. Unpreparedness does not
prevent war. it invites it.
Read what Secretary Knox said
in this connection:
There is no safety or peace IN
unpreparedness, the cabinet officer
told the Cleveland Boy Scout coun-.
ellis annual banquet IN a prepared
address. 1.-THE unspeakable folly OF
the theory that we are more likely
to resort to war, or become IN
yolved in war, because we are rea-
sonably prepared against the danger
of war, has been made SO plain that
few will be found to deny it,
Therefore, believe, thoroughly,
that one of the best measures We
can take to insure that our indi-
yidual liberties will be preserved
and that free Americans will remain
free, is to require that every boy,
when ne attains the age of II or 10
shall be required to spend at least
one year in training on land, or at
sea, against possibility that some
time his services may be re
quired to help protect the coun-
try"
Such a program Of youth train
ing would not only provide bull
wark Of strength for the nation; II
would also be good for the young
men participating. One only has tc
look at the young men who today
are being trained. They return
home on Through heavier anc
healthier looking. 1t will give then
a proper discipline that is alto
pether too often lacking in the mod
ern American home. It will give
them better bodies for the battles
of life that everyone has to face
1t is said the u. S. marine corps hal
had to reject rs per cent OF its ap
plicants because of physical rea
sons. That, surely, is sufficient evil
dence that health building PRO
gram is needed.
Secretary Knox advised NOR
far-reaching health program IN on
schools and then gave the folloWin
sound suggestion:
And now we come to the thir
important link in the task OF build
ing a strong and virile America !
the future the secretary contlr
ued. 1T has to do with the youn
man when he reaches the age Whe
military service can be expected
him in time of war-say between
and 10 years Of age.
Normally this would be abol
the age most boys finish high scho
and either 60 to work or 60
college. That would be the ide
time, in boys life, when ye
of his time should be given to b
country for the purpose OF tral
ing him physically, and mental
and spiritually, for citizenship, 7
first dutyaof which is service IN q
Tense Of his country in case
emergency"