Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 June 1916 — PROGRESSIVES ASK UNIVERSAL TRAINING [ARTICLE]

PROGRESSIVES ASK UNIVERSAL TRAINING

Platform for Army of 250,000 Men. OLIVE BRANCH TO G. 0. P. Defense of Rights at Sea and Land Urged—Convention Refuses to Be Stampeded Into Nomination. Chicago, June 9, —During three stormy hours the Progressive national* convent in accomplished three acts of historic Importance yesterday after-* noon at the Auditorium theater. It proffered the olive branch of peace to the Republican national com* vention in session a half-mile away. It definitely, though indirectly, rejected Justice Charles Evans Hughes as the compromise candidate on whom* the two parties could agree. It refused to be stampeded into am Immediate nomination of Roosevelt, despite the most powerful' efforts of Victor Murdock and the radical members of the convention. Moose Platform. The Progressive party's platform as drafted by the resolutions committed follows in part: “This is the year of decision for the nation’s future. As we now decide, so* we shall go forward in righteousness and power or backward in degradation and weakness. "Of necessity we deal now with the foundations of our national life. Wa arb facing elemental facts of force, of right and wrong, of extreme national peril. Our present choice ofl path will be Irrevocable. The tradition of isolation has been ended. Tha United States is now part of a world* system of civilization. We stand or fall as we prepare now to oun part in peace or war and hold ourl own therein. Duties of the Nation. "As members of an International community, we are subject to certain basic duties; "To secure the rights and equal treatment of our citizens, native or naturalized, on land and sea, without regard to race, creed or nativity. "To guard the honor and uphold the Just influence of our nation. “To maintain the integrity of International law.

“These are the cornerstones of civilization. We must be strong to defend them. What Preparedness Means. “Preparation in arms requires: "A navy restored to at least second rank in battle efficiency; “A regular army of 250,000 men, fully armed and trained, as a first Hue of land defense; “A system of military training adequate to organize with promptness, behind that first line of the army and navy, a citizen soldiery, supplied, armed and controlled by the national government. Training for All. “In our democracy every male citizen is charged with the duty of defending his country. As the nation has always recognized and exercised the right to enforce compulsory military service in time of war, so should there be universal military training for that service during times of peace. “We believe in preparedness for defense, but never for aggression. Social Justice Program. “To make possible social justice, to maintain our position in peace and war, we must insure business and industrial prosperity,* Hit Mexican Policy. “Failure to deal firmly and promptly with the menace of Mexican disorders has brought conditions worse than warfare and has weakened our national self-respect. Every resource Of government should be forthwith used to end those conditions, and protect from outrage the lives, honor and property of American men and women in Mexico. “Whatever our country can legitimately do to at tain, peace for warstricken Europe, and to aid in the procurement of equal rights without discrimination because of race or creed to all men In all lands, should be done. National Defense. “Adequate provision for the common defense has become the task of foremost national concern. We must be ready, in spirit, arms and industry. “Beneath the structure of military and economic strength there must be a unified spirit of this cosmopolitan people, a deep loyalty and undivided allegiance to America, the land which has welcomed us and our immigrant forefathers. America’s problems must be faced and solved solely in the light of American ideals. “American political action must be

taken in the service of American ends. Unwavering patriotism and unfaltering fidelity to America is the only spirit which should animate our citizens. If in this melting-pot of a hundred nations the children of any fail to find our common destiny worthy of common devotion and defense we shall sustain irreparable loss of national character. "In this spirit of Americanism action must be taken for the common defense.”