Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 154, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 July 1917 — BOYS AND GIRLS OF AMERICA FORM NATION’S FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE [ARTICLE]

BOYS AND GIRLS OF AMERICA FORM NATION’S FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE

By T. S. SETTLE

Field Secretary of Playground and Recreation Association of America.

The present world war has brought about much demand for military training. Last year the state of New York passed a law providing military training for all boys between the ages of sixteen and nineteen. The bill further provides for a military commission to prescribe the proper kind of military training. A very able commission was appointed. After giving this subject careful study, and investigating what European countries are doing, the commission found out that the best military training <jomes through play, through that vigorous play that develops the lungs, the heart and other vital organs—that builds up a physique that is strong .and that has the power of endurance. And so the course of military training prescribed consists of basket ball, baseball and other vigorous games, •drills, exercises and hikes. It is the kind of training that will best fit them, also, for the battles of peace. We have heard niuch about the efficiency of the Germans during this war. No German youth is given training in the tactics of am?s until he is years old. All the military training that he receives in the grammar school and high schools is play and gymnastics. The people of America are rapidly realizing that their first line of •defense is their boys and girls; that, according to their development, would depend the future America’s ability to defend herself in war, or to hold her own in peace.