WHY SHOULD WE ALONE SERVE?

Within a few weeks a large majority of the men in college will be in some form of military of naval training. These men realize that they are active citizens of the United States, and as such they have serious responsibilities to fulfill in return for the many privileges granted by the Government to which they have sworn allegiance. Although they have no more political or legal advantages than their countrymen occupied in other ways, they have, and will, respond immediately to the call of arms on account of the influence of their surroundings and education.

Why should they subject themselves to the dangers of the battlefield before other citizens of equal age, privileges and responsibilities? There is no logical reason, and that is why the new army should be raised according to the principle of universal liability. The antiquated and undemocratic system of volunteer armies failed miserably in the Civil War. England has suffered needlessly and delayed final victory for the Allies because she clung to the old tradition of volunteer armies during the first year of the war. Surely this country will not be deaf to the advice of a glorious and respected ally that has tried old weapons and found them useless.

Universal service is the only solution of this great democracy's problem. We are in this struggle individually, and not merely to lend the moral support of our Government's name. Every eligible citizen that considers himself a red-blooded man ought to desire to serve his country. At least he should be given an equal chance. Harvard men have endorsed the principle of universal service by their patriotic actions of the last year. They can do an important additional service by preaching their doctrine to all they meet and by using their influence, however small, to force the passage of a universal service bill through Congress. Why should we serve alone? There is no answer.