The Wilmington morning star., 1945-10-24

sni1or S0AuAS@ VI
ssi,or only in time Of danger :
ana only when the Congress con
sioers 1t necessary. This plan i.
obviously the more practical anf
economical. It conforms more
closely to long-standing American
tradition. - "
IN SUCH system, however. the
cl'lzen reserve must be a trained
reserve. We can meet the need TO,
trained reserve in only one wa,
by universal training.
Modern war is fought by experts
IRON the atomic scientist IN
ms laboratory to the fighting man
with his intricate modern weapons
Inc day of the minute man who
sprang to the flintlock hanging or
MS wall is over. Now it takes
many months for men to become
skilled in electronics. aeronautics,
oalllstics, meteorology, and all the
other sciences of modern war. Il
another national emergency should
come, there would be no time for
this complicated training. Men
must be trained ir advance.
The sooner we can bring the
maximum number of trained men
into service, the sooner will be the
victory and the less tragic the
cost. Universal training is the only
means by which we can be IRE.
pared right at the start to throw
our great energy and our tremen-
dous force into the battle. After
two terrible experiences in on e
generation. we have learned that
this IS the way-the only way -
to save human lives and material
resources.
IMPORTANCE REALIZED
The Importance of universal
training has already been recegniz-
ed by the Congress, and the Con-
gress has wisely taken the initia-
tive in this program.
The select committee of the
House of Representatives on post
war military policy has organized
hearings and has heard extended
testimony from representatives OF
churches and schools, labor unions,
veterans organizations, the armed
services, and many other groups
After careful consideration the
committee has approved the broad
policy of universal military train
ing for the critical years, ahead. l
concur in that conclusion, n d
strongly urge the Congress to
adopt it.
In the present hour of triumph,
We must not forget our anguish
during the days Of Bataan. We
must not forget the anxiety of the
days of Guadalcanal. In our de-
sire to leave the tragedy Of war
behind us, we must not make the
same mistake that we made after
the first World War when we
quickly sank back into halpless-
ness.
l recommend that We create a
postwar military organization
which will contain the following
basic elements:
First - A comparatively small
regular Army, Navy and Marine
Corps:
| r. Second "A greatly strength
| ened National Guard and organic
ed reserve for the Army, Navy
and Marine Corps:
Third - A general Reserve com.
posed Of all the male citizens OF
| the United States who have receiv.
ed training.
The General Reserve would be
available for rapid mobilization in
time of emergency, but it would
have no obligation to serve, either
in this country or abroad, unless
| and until called to the services by
an Act of the Congress.
In order to provide this general
reserve, ] recommend to the Con-
gress the adoption of plan fol-
universal military training.
! Universal military training is not
CONSUMPTION. The opponents OF
training have labeled it conscrip-
ton, and by so doing, have con
fused the minds Of some OF our
citizens. "Conscription'' is COM
pulsory service in the Army OF
Navy in time of peace or war.
Trainees under this proposed 1egi-
Station, however, would not be en-
rolled in any of the armed serv-
ices. They would be civilians in
training, They would be no closer