Show LEGION NOT MILITARY BODY alms and objects oa 0 organization made clear by lemuel bolles N notional adjutant numerous Nume reports from rom all parts of the country at quarters of the american legion show that there is a misunderstanding on the part of many regarding the or and particularly with regard to its purpose durose along military lines ines tills this has resulted in n the issuing of fit the following statement by leevil bolles national adjutant it has been brought to my notice on several occa occasions ions that there Is a belief on the pert flirt of many that the american legion is a military organization iza tion of course it Is not tho american legion Is a civilian organization and membership does not affect or increase liability for military or police service we maintain our civilian status and our military obligations are the same its as those of all other citizens the organization has interested itself actively in the military policy of the country not because we are it a military organization but because we are able from the inside to detect certain mistakes and weaknesses in the military organization as now established our work in this direction Is but an effort on the part of patriotic citizens to serve their country along lines in which they feel they are specially ciany prepared to speak intelligently Intelligent li the military policy of the american legion was determined at the minneapolis convention and has been clearly defined by the military policy committee there appointed tile the american legion Is in favor ol of universal military training but the national convention of the american legion also provided as a condition precedent and as an essential safeguard thereof for civilian control the convention recognized the fact that a thorough house housecleaning cleaning and elimination of the inefficient officers and methods of our entire military establishment was necessary and also favored equality of obligation anil and opportunity port unity for all american citizens and adequate protection against an enlarged or stronger military caste while the convention favored the th policy of universal military training at tile the same time a stand was taken against compulsory military service in time of peace the american legion favors a national military and naval system based on universal military obligations ligat ions to include a relatively small regular army and navy and a citizen army and navy capable of rapid expansion sufficient to meet tiny any national emergency on a plan aich will pro me competitive and progressive training for all officers both ut of the regular army and navy and ot of the citizen forces dut but our military obligations are the same as those of all other oilier citizens the iame anie ns as the obligations of any of tile the many fraternal organizations in tile country |