Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-02-14
Still Pretty Rugged

Toynbee argues at considerable length in favor
of the idea that harsh environments have
played key role in bringing about the great
civilizations Of the past. He says, for example,
that barren land and tough living had the vir-
tue Of energizing the people of ancient Rome
into conquering the world from Egypt to
Britain.
Conversely-and this supports the view re-
Gently expressed by Brigadier General Renfrow,
deputy director of Selective Service-Mr. Toyn-
bee observes in his book that no important
civilizations have been born or maintained under
conditions of easy living in uncomfortable
environments. Such conditions he holds sap
ambition, vigor and power, and to illustrate his
point he cites the fact that Hannibal's army,
after having spent restful winter in Capua's
salubrious surroundings, was never the same
instrument Of victory again" He also tells OF
how Cyrus, declaring that soft countries invari-
ably breed soft men, discouraged his conquer
ing PerSianS from moving out of their rocky
territory into lush, newly-won lands lest they
lose their ability to rule and dominate.
Much the same thought is expressed in
General Renfrows speech to the Chicago Sec
ton of the International College of Dentists
Deploring the high rate of our country's draft
reflections for reasons of unfitness, he has
warned that our soft ways and super comfort
able environment can be our undoing. AS he
has put 1t, mo one can estimate what the
automobile has cost the American people in
muscle, or the radio, television and motion pic
lures in active participation in< recreation.
nation that does no walking If it can avoid 1t;
that is careless and Indifferent about the cor
rection and follow-up OF remedial defects; that
is Incorporate and faulty in its diet; that has
become addicted to deteriorating habits of easy
living, is steadily reducing its stamina to the
danger point" stamina vitality needed to with
stand strain and extreme shock In emergen-
cieS" Accordingly, having in mind the fact
that the survival OF our freedom and greatness
depends upon how we'll we counter the Soviet
challenge and threat, he has declared that the
United States, in addition to keeping properly
armed, must develop genuinely effective pro-
gram to promote and maintain maximum phys
ical and mental health throughout the entire
population.
However, although such program obvi-
ously is desirable, there is some reason to take
a reserved view of the suggestion that An1eri-
cans are growing soft to a serious or critical
degree General Renfrow, it is true, has the
support of Mr. Toynbees ideas and OF studies
indicating that American children-becauSe OF
the unparalleled creature comforts OF this
land-lack the ruggedness OF EuropeS chill
dren. But there are certain offSetting factors
that deserve consideration. Thus, for one
thing, the United States, in terms of controlling
disease and increasing the average life expect
ancy of its citizens. is considerably healthier
than any other major power. Further as to
draft reflections, there is strong evidence that
our physical and mental standards for military
service are higher than those OF most other
countries including Russia.
It may we'll be, Of course, that labor saving
devices and mechanical luxuries are having
facilitating effect on our people. Even so, 1t
can be argued that our supremacy in this field
gives us a military advantage in an age when
about war, If it must come, will be super
mechanical and when no other nation equals
ours in the art of technology. Above all, as far
as ruggedness is concerned we can draw COM
fort from the fact that the valor and skill OF
our American forces, with proper training, were
unexcelled in the Second World War and in
Korea General Renfrow's ideas, like Mr..
Toynbee's, merit respectful attention but 1t
is doubtful in the extreme that the United
States has yet become or is close to becoming,
a soft country breeding soft men,