Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 267, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 November 1916 — Universal Military Service in This Country Will Tend to Preserve Peace [ARTICLE]

Universal Military Service in This Country Will Tend to Preserve Peace

By MRS. MARGARITA S. GERRY

Member of Board of Education, Waihington, D. C.

I have not thought much of conscription as such, but I have given much thought to compulsory military service. That is a greater issue in this country, of course, since we are not at war. I heartily favor universal military service. I believe it is the only way in which we can have an adequate and well-trained army. I believe it would lead to peace. is doubtful whether, if we had the full strength of this country’s manhood trained for such service, any nation would dare attack us, isolated as we are from the rest of the world. A year’s military service for a young man'Vould mean the making of him. I would be perfectly willing for my son to give up a year of his life to active military training. Obviously, if we had compulsory universal military service in time of peace we would not conscription in time of war.