OCR Text |
Show TRAINING CAMPS MAKE FOR MANHOOD NOT MILITARISM. Application for admittance to the Citizen's Military Training Camps are GO per cent ahead of last year and that is good. The occasional criticism of the training camps does not deserve attention at-tention on intrinsic merit, but has to be met because there are always some who will not give such criticism its true value. What are these training camps ? Hotbeds of militarism, say the pacifists. And that is about as true a description des-cription as to say sunshine, pure water wa-ter and outdoor air are bad for the health. It is a sickly perversion of the truth. It is the child of fear. It is a complete misrepresentation of the facts. These training camps and militarism militar-ism simply haven't a thing to do with each other. In the camps, young men ara trained train-ed to take care of themselves if ever they have to be called to the colors. Instead of being plumped into service ser-vice untrained, raw, they would be ready and fit at need, without unnecessary un-necessary sacrifice of lives. It means better health among our soldiers should they ever be called into the field in their country's defense. Aside from the technical training which is the primary purpose of the camps, they render service in giving men physical training. They give the young fellows a break from the dreary routine of work. They offer a splendid splen-did outdoor vacation. And they are one force directly counteracting among the young of the wild and lawless living which comes from lack of an outlet for youthful energy. On every count that means anything any-thing to a healthy, vigorous, manly man, the camps are praiseworthy in the extreme. To every mother who wants her son to be a strong, upstanding man, able to take care of himself, fit to should er his share of the responsibilities of citizenship, they are a godsend, offering wholesome recreat'on and strengthening the boy's morale. ' That the camps are appealing strongly to the young men of this nation must be cause for a deep sense of satisfaction among those who face life fair and square, nd realize the merits of rugged citizenship. Thank God that America is rich in youth, in young men fearless and strong and intelligent, able to take training for defensive service without the slightest danger of turning into roaring, sulphur-breathing militarists. Philadelphia Record. |