In Favor of Militarism.

(We invite all men in the University to submit communications on subjects of timely interest, but assume no responsibility for sentiments expressed under this head.)

To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

In your issue for March 15, there appears an attack on Militarism, rather thinly disguised under a discussion of the summer camps. In discussion this subject, one should not fall so much in love with the ideal of universal peace as to neglect the importance of Militarism as a factor in the civilization of today. War on a large scale is, and has been, less of a probability for this nation than for any other; but war is a probability and as such should not be overlooked in our dreams of Millenium. The aim of the campaign of the socalled militarists is to give to the body of our people some idea of what the problem really is. The voter, not the intellectual man, is to decide this question in the end, and he (and the college man as well) need enlightenment on this subject.

How many believe that the Mexican question can be satisfactorily settled on any idealistic basis, without the use of force? The number may be large, but the ranks would be noticeably depleted if it was common knowledge that the united Mexican people if invaded could easily wipe out all of the regular army we could send there, and ask, for more. There are about 185,000 men under arms there now, and while our troops are much better, the difference in quality would not make our maximum of 35,000 anywhere near their equal.

We love to think that our government is on a very high basis, and it is in comparison to a few, but it is essentially militaristic. About 400,000 men are authoritatively employed bearing arms in time of peace. This includes 200,000 soldiers and two men or more per thousand of population who are policemen, sheriffs, jailers, etc. Every time the government exercises its functions, it uses, actually or potentially, the total brute force of the people. It is only the above mentioned standing army of 400,000 "that prevents the constitution and laws from being 'mere scraps of paper."

A most instructive discussion of Militarism from the viewpoint of a soldier apeared in the Infantry Journal for November, 1910. Reprints of this may be secured from the War Department. The object of the writer, Captain Crawford, is to induce a wider intelligent discussion of the subject. A more modest aim, fit to be suggested here, is that before anyone discuss Militarism, in or out of print, he learn something of both sides of the question, and not permit hones for the future cause him to neglect to even consider present day problems.  AN AMATBUR SOLDIER.