AMERICA'S POSTION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 179, 2 June 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

AMERICA'S POSTION.

A£ AWAKENING.

The following editorial extracted from the "Ladies' Hon:* Journal" for May, just to hand, shows that America is just beginning to wonder «hurc and how she stands, and whether she will lie called upon to take part in the present great war, or in "Mime future war.'' The magazine is an inHuentmi American publication, and its remarks are worthy of our consideration. YOUR BOY AND MINE. A woman abhors war more strongM than does a man. Tins is not altogetJ or the result of box. but it is the man who, in the end, pays the higliV price for the war. \V;th hor husbauH killed or maimed for life, the burden falls on her. Hers u the lonely vigil or the frightful battle afterwards. It is always an act of heroism when a mother lets her boy go to the war. It logically follows, therefore, that women are foremost in all peace movements. A woman's natural instinct is to give iile and preserve it and defend it, not to destroy it. But IN THE YEARS TO COME tho American woman is destined to look the whole question of preparedness in the face. Whether we are in favour of war or peace is not the question. None of us, man or woman, of rational mind, favours war. The progress of events has, however, altered the position of this country. Not many years ago our land was bounded uy two oceans, and when we acquired Alaska it altered our position scarcely at all. But when we achieved the Philippine Islands and Hawaii, and when wo built tli-j Panama Canal, our position as a nation of it-elf was at an end, and we became a war Power touching elbows with other nations. Our "splendid isolation" was no more. Our possessions became "feelers," and when one lias "feelers" they are sometimes apt to be stepped upon. Then we have much of the gold of the world; just now we have practically all. We have a great deal of the iron-ore; our manufacturing facilities are enormous: we invite envy and jealousy. And tluve again sometimes lead to trouble. In short, it is not likely that the United States will be able to keep out of complications with other nations in tho future as successfully jus it has in tl'io past; and this means that we must be prepared. Now all recent wars have demon-Irated the FUTILITY OK THE VOLUNTEER SERVICE, and certainly the method* of modem warfare have proved its absolute inadequacy. While any thought of compulsory'military service is as yet and for manv years to come out of all question, as appealing to the democratic American mind, one thing is certain—in case of war our men would be drafted for military service. That much at least is positive, and cannot be escaped. The question, therefore, for parent* of bow is 1 not " Do wc belicvo in war?" or "I):i we believe in preparedness?" but "Are we wil'ing that our boys shall be drafted lor service in case of war, absolutely unfitted and untrained?" That is the question that stare* vou and me, as the fathers of hoys iii the face. lam not advocating the military training of our boys. 1 am not favouring or opposing preparedness here. That is not the function of this magazine. But 1 am a father of two boys, and I am asking niysclt the same question as 1 am asking you: Whatever may be my personal view of the war am I willing to let my boys be drafted and go into war untrained, inefficient, for -a foreign soldier, trained and efficient, to shoot at, and my bovs unable to 'take care of themselves'' There is no tune for proper training once tho boys are dratted. Military experts claim that a boy can be trained in six months' service, with a week or ten days each following year for "brushing up." so that a preliminary military trailing is not impossible for a bov earning his livelihood. Every parent who has now or will lhave within the next few years a son in good health between the ages of 18 and

J 'NviLL HAVE TO FACE THIS QUESTION

and trfiunrclv meet it. We do not solve it liv turning our faces from it; from advising or allowing our hoys to ignore yit. It is no use to say "\\ e will cross tluit bridge when wo come to it. \\e mnv come to it sooner than we think. To'argue that we invite war by linyinu our voting men trained is hardly lexical. "We do not invito punctures hv bavin" extra tyros aboard our automobiles; nor fire hy having extinguishes: nor the end of We hy hone insured; nor drowning hy having lilcpreservcis. But thc~c nrpcantiona do prepare us

THE QIT.STION T« AHEAD OF rs,

and we cannot dodge it. How are we going t:> let our boys face the possibility of being drafted for military service' as inefficient and unable to take care of himself, or, at least untrained to the rudimentary knowledge ot war? That is the real essence of preparedness" for every parent of an American bov in good health to ans-

From the foregoing it will bo gathered that America expect* trouble .n the mar future from somewhere, but no indication i* given as to where the trouble is to emanate trom. Hie aifele unw to show how unprepared as reuards trained men America must I*. With her vast manufactories she w nlil» to provide us for in- m this nw x fill struggle, munitons of all sorts mnl <ize>: vet notwithstanding tins she M «..|in in li sorrv state as regards her mvn .-ell-delence. With the ack of ~ properlv organised army, perhaps it i, no wonder America is takmg up the nositon she is in regard to the prevent war. If America is drawn into the struggle it will be a difficult position wlik-li ►lio will have to lace. She lias overslept hei.olf amid her surroundings of prosperity and self satisfied depend, ence upon the "' brotherhood ot man.