Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1916 — SHORTENING OF PERIOD [ARTICLE]

SHORTENING OF PERIOD

Of EnlLshment Exacted to Make Army More Attractive. Washington, April 2.—When congress disposes of military legislation this session the new recruit will! find himself called upon to serve only one or two years with the colors instead of three years, the present requirement. A short enlistment period, from the American viewpoint, has come to be considered one of the most vital elements in army organization The house, against the protest of Chairman Hay of the military com-! mittee decreed that a recruit could be discharged after one year’s serv- 1 ice if his commanding officer thought he had attained a requisite proficiency in arms. The Chamberlain: bill, now before the senate contains this provision, and in addition reduces from three years to two years the active enlistment period, provided the enlisted man wishes to I serve uo longer with the colors. A short enlistment period, accord-! Ing to its advocates, will make the army more attractive, because the recruit will bind himself to abstain from industrial pursuits for only a comparatively short period. There are many men who re-enlist, not because they love the army, but because, at first glance, it appears to be the only thing they are fitted to do. This tends to make professidma! soldiers. v-C

•eThe view which is being accepted by a large number of members of congress is that a short enlistmentperiod will allow the standing army to be kept at a maximum and at the same time there will Sow through this training school a constant

stream of men who will return to civilian life, familiar with the practice of arms, but not so used to military life that they will hestltate to resume civilian activities.