To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

Mr. Davis, in his communication to yesterday's CRIMSON, pleads eloquently for this country to withhold from universal service at least until after the reorganization of Europe, "unless we wish to vitiate the President's efforts by making them appear insincere, unless we wish to rob ourselves of the opportunity of leading the way in the reconstruction of Europe and the world," etc.

Of course, it is not our desire to cast such an implication on the President, and we, meaning the American people in general, have continually indicated that we should be rather pleased to undertake this task of reconstructing Europe and the world. In fact, that is precisely the criticism that Europe has had of us thus far--in our, "better than thou" attitude we have comfortably sat back, expressing our disapproval of that barbarous Europe, accompanying it with manifold suggestions as to how she may become as advanced as we.

But unfortunately we are not valued nearly so highly on that short sighted continent as we are in the United States of America. Unfortunately, Europe sees weaknesses in us that many others do not. She saw the Hay Bill pass Congress with its delectable slices of pork for our legislators; she saw the subsequent farcical failure of the Federalized militia; and she now sees us unarmed, save with the pen, proposing to set about her reconstruction.

The President's proposal for a league to prevent war, if carried into effect, will make of every nation a policeman, but of what use is a policeman without arms? He cannot keep or help keep the peace by mere realization that he is morally better than the offender. He must be prepared to enforce the law. And there lies the answer to Mr. Davis' query, "What is it for?" Far from making the President seem insincere, the increase of our army to moderate size (which is all that the universal training advocates urge) would add incalculable weight to his proposal. If we should continue with a military force too weak to protect our own borders, when the need of enforcing peace arose, other nations would act, while we lent our moral support. History seems to show that peace will never be kept by morals alone.

With the President not against him, are the advocates of universal training. Our militia system has failed and the most strenuous efforts of our recruiting officers have been unable to bring the regular army up to its required size. Words are heeded only when there is strength behind them. It is the general opinion that the President's words were good, that his plan is a great one, but the execution of this plan will require something more than "moral strength." If we are to see its success and if we expect to have a voice in the reorganization of Europe, we must put ourselves in a position from which our voice will be heard before that reorganization begins. Universal training will put us in such a position. ROBERT T. BUSHNELL '19.