 | University of Virginia record October, 1916 |  |
SUGGESTED ARGUMENTS.
The arguments suggested below are not intended to be exhaustive,
but merely to intimate certain broad issues involved in the question.
FOR THE AFFIRMATIVE.
I. Country must be prepared.
(a) Because of the Monroe Doctrine.
(b) For self-preservation.
(c) For international influence on balance of power.
(d) Our extensive commercial interest needs protection.
(e) For the protection of our colonies (Philippines, Hawaii Islands,
Panama Canal, etc.).
2. Country at present is not adequately prepared.
(a) Land forces are too small.
(b) Naval forces are too small.
(c) Equipment is inadequate.
(d) Failure of our present volunteer system.
3. Need is for greater number of adequately trained men.
(a) Lack of men to supply ship and coast defenses now in existence.
(b) Present policy of increase in naval and coast defenses will
demand more men.(c) Present capacity for armament out-put will supply the necessary
increase of men.
4. This is the best possible system for producing the required number
of trained men.(a) One year is sufficient.
(b) Only fair system in that it avoids discrimination.
(c) This system is opposed to militarism because it results in a
military cast smaller than that resulting from other systems
of preparedness, in that it provides a citizen soldiery rather
than a professional soldiery.
(d) Personal effects are highly desirable.
(1) Instills patriotism.
(2) Disciplinary.
(3) Physically beneficial.
5. This system establishes a sufficient standing army and provides an
adequate reserve.
FOR THE NEGATIVE.
I. Such an elaborate system of training men is unnecessary.
(a) There is no need for as many men as this system would provide.
(1) Because of our geographical position.
(2) Balance of power protects.
(3) Commercial importance makes other nations dependent
on us.(4) Freedom from entangling alliances.
(b) We are not in a position to handle the number of men this
system would provide.(1) Finances.
(2) Present equipment.
(3) Scarcity of officers.
2. The system though elaborate is inadequate.
(a) One years is not sufficient.
(b) At no time is army thoroughly organized.
(c) The ranks would at all times be composed of raw recruits.
(d) It results in a large army poorly trained rather than a small
army well trained.
3. System is antagonistic to American principles.
(a) Wherein consider that we are not territorially aggressive.
(b) Tends to promote militarism.
(c) It surbordinates civil authority.
(d) Interferes with proper business development.
(e) Creates distrust of other nations.
(f) Promotes alliances among other nations.
(g) Suppresses any tendency towards native arbitration.
(h) Places small nations at mercy of their larger neighbors.
4. It works personal hardships upon all citizens.
(a) Breaks into psychological period of man's life.
(b) Many men have families dependent on them.
(c) Foreign to many men's ideals and principles.
5. There are other systems sufficiently ample and more satisfactory.
(a) School and college training system.
(b) Summer training camps.
(c) Continental army.
(d) Federal National Guards.
(e) Improvement of our present volunteer system.
(f) Larger standing army and navy.
(g) Manufacturing of improved implements that take less men.
| University of Virginia record October, 1916 | |