Evening star., 1945-10-24
We Must Act Now

President Truman has stated the
case for universal military training
in a thoroughly admirable message
to Congress. Every American, what
ever his present views on the subject,
should make it his business to read
the message for it presents the argu-
ments in behalf of the training pro-
gram with degree of earnestness,
clarity and logic which compels
respect and defies challenge
There have been other messages
to Congress on this ittle-understood
subject. But in this one, for the
first time, the issue is met squarely
and courageously. Mr.. Truman
pointed out that the training pro-
gram would be productive of a
variety of benefits - educational,
physical, moral and spiritual But"
he continued, "the basic reason for
universal training is a very simple
one-to guarantee the safety and
freedom of the United States
against any potential aggressor.
The other benefits are all by
productS-useful indeed, but still
by-products. The fundamental need
is, and always will be, the national
security of the United States, and
the safety of our homes and our
loved ones"
That, in very few words, sets
out the reason why this country
must train its young men or run
the risk-and it is very real risk
of being defeated and destroyed In
another war.
There is hope now that the world
has learned it's lesson and that the
nations will organize to maintain
the peace. Initial steps toward this
end have been taken, and the United
States will support this effort with
every means at its command. Never
theless, we cannot ignore the fact
that aggressors filled with the urge
to conquer peaceful nations have
been turning up with disconcerting
regularity since the dawn of civiliza-
ton, and neither can we close our
eyes to the international frictions
and rivalries which have sprung up
so quickly in the wake of this war.
Plainly, as of today, this is a world
in which no nation can have as
surance of safety unless it is ready
and strong in its own right.
The President has said, and he Is
manifestly correct, that never again
can we count upon the luxury OF
time in which to get ready for war.
Another conflict would burst upon
us without warning and the aggres-
sor, profiting from the lessons OF
this war, would strike first and in
great force at the industrial heart
of the United States.
There are two known ways in
which we can meet this danger.
One is through the maintenance of
a large professional Army and Navy.
But that would be too costly in terms
of money, too wasteful in terms of
men, and, perhaps, a real threat to
our free institutions. The alter
native is the one which President
Truman recommends compare
lively small Regular Army, Navy and
Marine Corps, greatly strengthened
National Guard and Organized Re-
serve, and a General Reserve COM
posed of all the male citizens of the
United States who have received
training.
This General Reserve would not
be a part of the armed forces, and,
in time of emergency, it could be
called to service only through act of
Congress and on selective basis.
Yet, if war should come, the reserve
would be there, substantially trained
and ready for quick mobilization
two big facts which would tend to
discourage attack, and, more i'm
portantly, enable us to repel an
assault If it should be made.
There are influential groups which
oppose military training, but they
have offered nothing in support Of
their position except what the Pres
ident bluntly describes as "pious
hope and dangerous wishful think
ing" These groups argue for delay,
but the time has come to act. The
President advocates a program
which, in The Stars belief, is literally
essential to the security of the
Nation. If the opponents have any
constructive alternative, the people
of this country have a right to
demand to know what it Is.
Note to Posterity
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