Show recent experience has shown necessity of universal military service in U S by JACOB M DICKINSON former secretary of wat war unless we are arc to throw up our hands and confess ourselves at the mercy of other nations we must have compulsory military service uni casal versal military service if you please the events of the last year have demonstrated I 1 should think to the satisfaction of eie everyone that the present military system of the united states is a failure we cannot depend on the national guard or the volunteers before I 1 went into the war department I 1 believed universal military service was a good thing after my experience at the head of the department I 1 became convinced that it was necessary co compulsory service service is the only solution of the problem of preparedness I 1 have not thought out in detail what in my judgment would be tho the best plan to follow in placing the country on a compulsory basis but a plan by which every citizen should be made to bear his burden of defense is ie necessary of bourse course such a system presupposed training of the youth of the country A sufficient training to give every able bodied male citizen education as a soldier is required we certainly have had an object lesson of the failure of the national guard and the volunteer service as a means of defense |