Evening star., 1946-02-22

and election this fall. The tlmld
among them are extremely anxious
to avoid any vote that possibly can
ALLEVIATE voters in their respective
districts and States.
1t is true that the Gallup poll
shows a majority in favor of uni
versal training. 1t is true, too, that
besides the chiefs of staff and the
Secretaries of War and Navy, the
President has indorsed it. But the
President does not run this year
and members of Congress do. Most
of these are strongly opposed to
creating even the smallest resent
full minority where none now exists.
Were it not for this condition,
there would be no question of
either the draft being extended or
the universal training program
being put through, for the argu-
ments-particularly for the train
ing-are very strong, indeed. In
response to the tremendous de-
mand for the return of the soldiers
we have been compelled to demo-
bilize at dangerous speed.
To Lose Prestige.
II In May the draft is not ex-
tended, we will have to depend
wholly on voluntary enlistment to
keep our armed forces from almost
. complete ineffectuality. In that
event, it is agreed that universal
training program is the least we
can do if we are not to sink back
into a state of precarlous unpre-
paredness in which, unable to sus-
tain our position abroad, we will
become again the soft, fat boy whom
it would take a couple. of years to-
get in shape to defend himself and
whose words will carry TO weight
because he hasn't anything with
which to back them up.
AS things are today it is generally
agreed that, despite presidential
insistence, there is little chance OF
Congress extending the draft and
also passing a universal training
bill. If it does the first, the second
will not be killed but it will be
postponed. On the other hand, If
Congress refuses to extend the
draft, the prospects for the training
program undoubtedly will be en-
hanced. At this time the best judg-
ment is that the draft will not be
extended and that the big fight will
come on the training program,
hearings on which are now in prog
reSS.
If, through added inducements,
voluntary enlistments can be stimu-
lated to the point of providing an
army sufficiently strong to fulfill
our commitments, that, of course,
is to be preferred. Notwithstanding
the strong sentiment in its favor,
there are two reasons the advocates
of universal training have been dis
couraged about its chance.
One is the somewhat general hys-
terra about getting the boys home"
plus the popular feeling against
peacetime draft The other is the
continued tendency to confuse uni
versal military training with uni
versal military service. The COM
bination has created rather sticky
atmosphere about the whole subject
in Congress. But those in best posi-
ton to judge say there is no cause
for real pessimism.
Training Not Conscription.
The chief need, they say, is edu-
cation. First, it is essential to drive
home to the public the urgent neces-
rsity for the training program, and
the appalling situation in which the
country will be if it is refused
Second, it is essential to make it
crystal clear that military training
is not conscription; that these boys
will be trained by the Army but will
not be in the Army and cannot be
put in the Army except by special
apt of Congress
In brief, the case has to be more
effectively and clearly put to the
people. That favorable but unor-
ganized and rather inarticulate ma
.jority has to be stimulated so as to
overcome the voluble and organ
ized minorities The fear among
House and senatorial candidates of
political damage must be lessened.
And it can be.
The extraordinary manner in