Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-03-20
Letters to The Star
Father Connell Gives His Views
On Peacetime Conservation.

In the near future our Congress will
decide whether or not the young men
OF our Nation will be compelled to sub
NIT to period of military training in
peacetime. This is a vital issue, for it
involves policy that would be radi-
cal departure from the American ira
dition OF the past $50 years. The ulti-
mate decision rests with our legislators;
but every American has the right to
intimately will affect the lives of mil
lions of his fellow-citizens.
Numerous arguments in favor of the
measure are proposed. Those who de-
fend it tell us that the best way to
maintain peace is constantly to be pre-
will give us more healthy and more
vigorous youth; that universal conscrip-
ton will knit our people together by
breaking down barriers of class and
race; that it is the democratic way for
all to share in the maintenance of our
national defense.
No loyal American will hesitate to
approve universal CONSUMPTION, If it can
be proved that it is a necessary means
for the protection of our country and
of all that it stands for But this dras-
tic measure should not be attempted
until it is established that the methods
we have employed for a century and a
half are inadequate. At any rate, it is
unnecessary to pass this law at present,
to take effect only in peacetime, which
may become an actuality only several
years hence. More than 10 million
trained soldiers ought to be enough to
keep us in state of preparedness for
some years after the conclusion OF hos
tilities; and in the meantime, when the
tension and the emotionalism of the
present epoch have subsidized we more
calmly and reasonably can discuss our
future policy.
Doubts Social Advantages.
The physical improvement of our
young folks could be effected sufficiently
by health program put into operation
In our schools and colleges, which could
include the fundamental features of
military drill This would not entail
the disruption of our boys training for
peaceful pursuits and professions. The
argument that national unity is pro-
NOTED by the common life of military
barracks has little meaning in our land
as long as We continue to segregate
Negroes as an inferior race. The state
ment that universal CONSUMPTION is the
democratic way" sounds suspiciously
like propaganda, especially when some
OF those who use 1t were denouncing
compulsory service as a feature OF to-
talitarianism few years ago.
In the Readers Digest for February,
Thomas M. johnson paints a very at
tractive picture of the way in which
Che says the plan would be put into
operation. The boys would be allowed
choice as to the branch of service
they preferred; they would be given
special training in aerial photography,
electronics, radar, mechanics, etc; they
would be fitted for proficiency in civilian
occupations; they would enjoy cultural
and educational advantages: they would
be protected from moral dangers better
than are college boys of the same age
etc.
A very ideal situation. indeed, if we
can trust this preview. But it bears a
striking resemblance to the enthralling
predictions of those who inflicted the
prohibition amendment on the country
in the era of the First World War But,
unfortunately, these prophets failed to
give sufficient consideration to human
nature as it actually is, and their noble
experiment" caused dire havoc In our
land before it was abrogated.
Expresses Fear Of Militarism.
Universal military CONSUMPTION. be-
heve, would engender in our youth q
militaristic attitude. 1t is impossible
to train all our boys, at an impression
able age. in the art of destroying and
killing-particularly with the powerful
weapons of modern warfare-without
developing in the course of time citi-
zenry regarding violence and bloodshed
as normal features of human life. BY
attaching so great Importance to mill
tary training, we would give our people
the impression that military proves is
the supreme norm of a nations SUI
periority. Our millions of military
minded citizens would welcome the
opportunity of war to demonstrate
their skill in battle. 1t is tragic to
think even of the possibility that at
some future time the American people
volk, boastful of their ability to subdue
every other people, imbued with the
principle that might makes right. Yet.
If militaristic ideals had so great part
in bringing this to pass in Germany,
why could they not do the same, with
the passing of time in America?
The present plan calls for only one
But what assurance have we that this
term will not be heightened, once the
plan is put into operation? Mr.. johnson
tells us that IS per cent of the Army
trainees will specialize in some type of
technical training, and all naval trainees
will become specialists, learning radar,
fire control, etc. For this about seven
months of the year will be assigned.
Is anything like satisfactory special
lied training possible in this brief
time? Isn't it quite likely that, once
universal CONSUMPTION is an accom-
plished fact. the term will be heightened
to a second or a third year?
Mr.. johnson also states that there
will be adequate supervision over the
morals of the boys, and that liquor
and brothels will be kept far from their
camps" One is inclined to wonder how
the authorities can give assurance of