Evening star., 1950-07-25
We Missed the Boat

Three years ago distinguished commission
headed by DR.. Karl T. Compton submitted re-
port TO the President urging prompt adoption
of q Well-rounded defense program based on
universal military training.
After stressing the Importance of COM
prehensive, balanced defense program, the
report went on to say: 1--WE recommend the
adoption of universal training because we are
convinced that weakness on our part not only
involves our country in grave risks, but also
weakens the United Nations, on which rest our
hopes for lasting peace. weak and irresolute
America is an invitation to failure. A strong
and resolute America is the. best guarantee for
our safety and for the success of the United
Nations"
The President did his part He approved
the report and repeatedly urged Congress to put
its recommendations, especially that for uni
versal training, into effect.
But nothing happened The proposal for
universal military training provoked q chorus
Of criticism from that articulate element which
seems to know all of the answers except the
right answer. Universal training, 1t was said,
would be a confession of lack of faith in the
u. N. Other nations would think we did not
trust them. 1t would bring military domination
Of our Government. The notion that weakness
invites wars and that the United States there
fore should remain strong was described by
committee Of 20 churchmen and educators as "a
trite and unbelievably childish oversimplifica-
tion Of history"
There was much more of the same and the
opponents carried the day. Every poll showed
overwhelming public approval Of military train
ing. The President, time after time, asked for
its adoption. But Congress refused to pass the
necessary legislation. For whatever reason
fan waPvN
money, the prospect of losing some votes with
out gaining any-nothing was done We missed
the boat in 1s47, and today we are paying the
penalty.
Out in Korea young Americans, lacking ade-
quate arms, training and reinforcements, are
being killed. And they are not being helped
bit by those who defeated universal training
with their chatter about trite and childish over
simphfications OF history. No doubt the univer-
sity presidents and the churchmen meant well.
But their good intentions are no help to us now.
II anything has become clear, 1t is that this
country, the United Nations, all of the free
world, Is gravely threatened. It is threatened
by men who have acquired tremendous military
power and who do not seem to understand that
weakness on the part Of their prospective victims
Is an assurance Of peace. Congress belatedly-
always belatedly-is beginning to see the light.
Inc PRESIDENT probably will get all or most of the
things he wants for short-run reinforcement of
our security. But the second conclusion Of the
Compton Commission remains as valid now as
1t was three years ago: Universal training
offers the only method through which we could
insure q sufficient number and dispersal of
trained military manpower without overburden-
Ing the country's economy through the mainte-
nance Of huge standing Army, Navy, Air Force
and Marine Corps"
Even If we manage to avoid q war with
Russia, there Is every reason to expect that we
face period Of years in which we will have to
remain in a state Of strong military prepared
ness And as q long-term measure, universal
military training is an essential part of that
preparation. The Star believes the President
should renew his recommendation, and that Con-
gress, without further nonsense about the mat
ter, should put it into effect