Evening star., 1947-07-08
Unless and Until

If the world were as one right now, no
effective argument could be raised against
the twenty reputable Americans-moSt of
them churchmen and educatorS-Who have
just denounced the Presidents proposal
for universal military training in America.
They are for an end to all warlike things.
They are for global disarmament They
are for an effective United Nations. They
are for reconstruction program that will
raise the living standards of peoples every
where. They are for lasting peace-for
everything that is good-and no one who
believes in a creative civilization can deny
that they are completely right in principle.
But 1t is one thing to be right in prin-
ciple, and another thing to be right in the
methods used to implement or promote the
principle. In its recent report advocating
universal military training, the Presidents
special commission on the subject espoused
essentially the same fine objectives as
those espoused by the twenty dissident
Americans. But it also recognized certain
harsh realities that the twenty seem to
have dismissed as of little consequence.
These realities are clear enough. The
majority OF nations are anxious to disarm,
but Russia-notably in the case of the
atom-has stubbornly blocked all progress
to that end Similarly, by repeated use of
the veto, it has made it as difficult as
possible for the United Nations to deal
effectively with great issues. AS for inter-
national reconstruction it has rejected the
Marshall proposal in such a way as to
make itself seem deliberately intent on
creating two worlds politically and eco
nomically aligned against each other. In
sum, refusing to cooperate, seeking at
every turn to expand its dominion, it has
followed a lone-wolf course frustrating
the will of the rest of the major powers to
build a wholesome peace.
1t is because of this two world prospect
because of Russias aloofness, Russia's
expansionist policy and Russia's actual
and potential strength-that the Presi-
dents commission has recommended uni
versal military training. The proposal is
only one Of many that the United States
will have to put into force as essential
preparedness measures. Disarmament can-
not be unilateral; cooperation cannot be
all give" on one side and all take" on the
other; unless and until the Soviet Union
makes up its mind to join with the whole
Of mankind in establishing mutually
enriching system of collective security, our
Nation will have to be watchful of its arms
We can do this-we must do it-even as
we work for an enduring peace. Indeed,
by doing it and doing it we'll, we may
speed up the day when such a course will
no longer be necessary. Certainly, not to
do it, to let ourselves grow weak, would
be merely to play into the hands of those
who cultivate their military power and
work against the very objectives advocated
by the twenty Americans who do not want
our youth made ready for any emergency
The twenty appear to believe that uni
versal military training is outmoded in the
atomic.age. This argument has measure
Of appeal IN it. but 1t Is gross oversim-
plification that Army and Navy experts
would be well advised to counter with
detailed explanation Of just why trained
men are as necessary as our fantastic new
weapons OF course as the twenty declare
the world can find real security from now
on only in the abolition of war itself. But
until all nations join in working sincerely
for that ideal, our guard-youth in readi-
ness, scientific development and kindred
measures-cannot be let down without
inviting catastrophe upon America and
free lands everywhere.