Universal Military Service.

ILLIAM H. CARTER, a brigadier-general in the United States army, writing in the January number of the North American Review, presents a few facts and a suggestion that are worthy of the most thoughtful consideration. From the Socialist view-point it is probably the most important article that has appeared in recent years upon the subject of "Militarism" in America. The general is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and in his thirty-five years of active service has risen from the rank of a second lieutenant to that of a general in command of the Department of the Lakes, with headquarters at Chicago. He has a thorough knowledge of the status in which the American land forces are maintained at the present time, and in no uncertain terms he points out their utter inadequacy to cope with the best that any first-class Power might offer in opposition.

The article is written under the title "When Diplomacy Fails," and that it must fail General Carter seems to have not the slightest doubt. In fact, this defender of capitalism in America seems to have a very clear conception of the Socialist theory of "economic determinism," for he says: "It is easy for a nation to profess high-mindedness; but in the eternal warfare for commercial supremacy, it is much easier to be good if the consequences of an opposite course are to be feared." He is mindful of the efforts that have been made toward the disarmament of the nations and universal peace, also of the fact that most of the great world powers are expending enormous sums of wealth in the development of their naval strength. But he is certain that conflicts will arise between the nations that are struggling for commercial supremacy, that in these conflicts much will depend upon the land forces, and that the United States army has been neglected to an extent that is positively alarming.

Aside from Coast Artillery which is practically immovable and of use only in repelling attack made at established points, the American army of to-day has but fifteen regiments of Cavalry, thirty regiments of Infantry and six regiments of Field Artillery not yet thoroughly organized, a total of about sixty thousand regular troops if all, the regiments were recruited on a war footing, but most of the regiments have barely one-half that strength. As a further consideration, one

half of the Infantry and nearly the same proportion of Cavalry is on duty in our various "island possessions," which means that only a handful of well trained and thoroughly equipped men are available for the purpose of repelling invasion or suppressing insurrection within the borders of the States.

The Dick Militia Bill, passed by congress and signed by the president January 21, 1903, provides, "That the militia shall consist of every able-bodied male citizen of the respective states and territories, and the District of Columbia, and every able-bodied male of foreign birth who has declared his intention of becoming a citizen, who is more than eighteen and less than forty-five years of age." The second section of the bill provides that certain government officials and employes shall be exempted from militia duty, also all persons who are exempted by the laws of the several states and all members of religious organizations whose creeds forbid participation in

war.

This bill, which has become a law makes soldiers of all of us, subject to the command of the president of the United States and the Governor of the State in which we live, unless exempted in the manner described above. It divides the militia into two classes-"the organized militia, to be known as the National Guard, and the remainder to be known as the reserve militia."

The total strength of the "organized militia" at present is about one hundred and five thousand, and there are upwards of ten million men who constitute the "reserve militia." But General Carter does not think very much of the ten millions who belong to the reserve militia, and, indeed, he has not a very exalted opinion of the one hundred and five thousand who belong to the organized militia. He says: "At a recent annual inspection of the National Guard by Regular Army officers, about fifteen per cent. of the men were reported absent. Out of a total of 2,179 organizations of all kinds, 1,437 were reported as fully armed, uniformed and equipped for field service at any season of the year."

Summing up all of his figures regarding the military strength of the nation the General concludes as follows:

"With these facts as a basis and past experience as a guide, it may be safely predicted that it will be a practical impossibility to assemble, at any point in the United States, two completely organized Army Corps of Regulars and Organized Militia. With proper regard for the general defence, in the event of war with any first-class Power, detachments would immediately reduce the strength of these Corps, if ever assembled, below a state of fitness for offensive action. "It is hardly possible to conceive of any war in which

less than two hundred and fifty thousand men would be required at the start. All of the available men of the Regular Army in the United States, and of the National Guard, would amount to but little more than one-third of that number. The outlook for any material increase in numbers and efficiency of the National Guard is not encouraging. On the contrary, the surprising part is that so many officers and men are willing to devote their time and personal means to building up creditable National Guard organizations in the face of lack of appreciation, general indifference and much actual antagonism. Some of the existing organizations are hardly worthy to be called soldiers, but many others have not only fitted themselves to answer the call of duty in emergencies, but have the framework upon which to rapidly build splendid regiments of Volunteers. This is most creditable to their enthusiasm and patriotism, but it should not prevent a recognition of the fact that the existing system and laws do not meet the needs of State and Nation."

The above words uttered by an army general who knows whereof he speaks, ought to have the effect of green persimmons in the mouths of American capitalists. It is true that the General speaks mostly with reference to "war with some first-class Power," and situated as we are, geographically, and having close at hand a magnificent navy, there is really but little if any danger of invasion by a foreign foe; but here and there the General had to let slip a more or less guarded reference to the possibility of some sort of internal "rebellion against the authority of the United States," and this brings us to the point which should be of interest to the whole working class of America and especially to that portion of the working class which is class-conscious and revolutionary.

The tactics employed by the Socialist party at present aims at the capturing of the powers of government through political action, united action of the working class at the ballot box. and if this policy is to be adhered to the capitalists are really in no immediate danger of losing control of the industrial and political situation. But suppose the Socialist party with its half a million voters should change its tactics and begin secretly to organize military companies. We have many party members who have had military training either in the regular army or militia of this country or of some European country, and it is certain that a number of first rate strategists could be quickly developed. There is already a sufficient number of party members in many of the industrial centers of America, if they were properly organized and instructed, to swoop down upon the military garrisons that are situated in the outskirts of the cities, surprise the sleepy

sentinels on guard, pour into the barracks where the soldiers sleep and capture the gun racks. If properly planned and executed, the battle might be won without the firing of a single shot. Away from the industrial centers of the country thereare not half a dozen regiments of soldiers and these would stand but small chance against a half million determined. rebels.

Of the national guard organizations, a majority of the companies are located in the large cities. Their arms. are generally kept at the armories, which are not guarded and to which access is easy of attainment. With the arms and armories of the city regiments and companies in the hands of rebels, the national guard would be disorganized and absolutely worthless.

However, it is not at all likely that the Socialist party will change its tactics; but regardless of whether or not there is any immediate danger from within or without, it is time that the American capitalists gave heed to the crying need for a. stronger military if they would maintain their commercial supremacy and remain in control of the nation's industrial and political life.

General Carter proposes a plan, and it is akin to what the Socialists of Germany are demanding, a citizen soldiery, or, as the general calls it, "universal service." He says:

"The only way in which a State can secure an absolutely representative body of troops is by universal service in the Organized Militia. A State law requiring every young man, on coming of age, to serve one year in the Organized Militia, in organizations in which the officers and non-commissioned officers are appointed and not elected, would soon justify itself to all fair minded men for reasons not far to seek. Rich and poor alike would learn that the Organized Militia knows no class or creed, but stands for the majesty of the law. Lessons in patrotism, respect for flag and country and a high regard for citizenship would be some of the wholesome advantages of this system, under which there would be no purchasing of substitutes. The knowledge gained by actual service would allay the suspicions, and sometimes animosities of members of labor unions. More liberality in supplies and armories, enhanced State pride, improvement in knowledge of firearms and an increased ability to fulfil the highest duty of a cititzen of the republic would be the natural consequences of universal State service. In no other way can the great body of citizens be made acquainted with modern arms and training, and properly fitted to fulfil their obligation, when called upon under the provisions of the constitution, to suppress insurrection or repel invasion."

In Germany and some other European countries, military service is compulsory, that is, all able-bodied male citizens upon attaining their majority are required by law to serve not less than two years. It is during this period of cumpulsory service that the men of Europe are trained to "fulfil the highest duty of a citizen" which is not to invent or improve productive machinery or processes, or to excel in art or letters, but to destroy human life whenever the interests of a ruling class demand it.

In America, in the past, this plan of compelling all young men to serve in the organized militia might have proven to the advantage of the capitalist class and, it is possible that it might prove so just now. But the number of Socialist homes in America is constantly on the increase and the training which boys receive in these Socialist homes is such as would wholly unfit them for service in military organizations which exist solely for the purpose of maintaining and defending a class of parasites, idlers, who own the means of production and exploit those who perform the labor. In fact, the influence of these young Socialists in the capitalist's militia organizations would be decidedly undesirable for they would be continually spreading the propaganda of Socialism among their mates.

There are some Socialists in America who think that our young men should join the army of the organized militia and learn the methods in vogue with the capitalist's fighting machine. There are very many others who have never given the subject a single thought. But there are a few, among whom the writer of this article is included, who think that the best policy for the Socialists of America to pursue is to keep outside of the ranks of these military organizations and to carry on, by means of the circulation of literature, a vigorous campaign of propaganda among those workers who, unconsciously, have betrayed their class by joining the army or the militia.

It is not at all likely that the capitalists or their legislative agents will pay any attention to the recommendation of General Carter, for other men, both inside and outside of the army, have repeatedly called attention to the fact that the armed and trained forces in this country are insufficient to meet a demand that is apt to be made upon them at any time. The workers of America have been so thoroughly deceived as to their own interests that in the past they have always responded when called upon and served faithfully in the interests of the master class, and the masters are so confident that the workers will continue to be faithful that they can see no need of maintaining an expensive military establishment.