Several Harvard men are included in the list of the Massachusetts Committee on Militarism in Education which is organized for the purpose of inquiring into the status of compulsory military training in the schools of Massachusetts, and to urge the abolition of such training. Among the prominent names on the list are Professor Zacharia Chaffee, Professor A. N. Holcombe '06, Professor Manley O. Hudson L. '10. Professor Bliss Perry. Dean Roscoe Pound Hon, '20, Professor F. B. Sayre L. 12, and Professor Harlow Shapley, all of them connected with the University faculty. Reverend Harold E. B. Speight, Minister of King's Chapel is the Committee's chairman.
Massachusetts First in Drill
This committee has delved into the matter of compulsory training and its survey, published today, makes known the following facts, calling attention to the War Department's plan to extend military training in every educational institution in the state: J. Massachusetts stands first in the number of public school boys taking military drill. Over 19,000 is the number in this state, while in California. Massachusetts nearest competitor in the matter of schoolboys taking military drill, only 8000 are so listed. 2. The War, Department has plans afoot to extend compulsory military training into every school and college of any importance within the state. 3. Compulsory military training, the survey reports, without exemption, is unlawful in Massachusetts according to the law of the state. 4. Compulsory military training is maintained in two colleges through the misinterpretation of the Federal law. 5. In the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the report discloses, the War Department distributes a scholarship of $210 to induce men to take the advanced course in military science. 6. The report also points out that educators are practically unanimous in condemning compulsory training in schools and colleges, and cites in its report such authorities on the subject as The Massachusetts State Department of Education. The National Education Association. President Charles W. Eliot. Dr. Dudley A. Sargent and others.
The committee is careful to point out that it is opposed to military training when it is compulsory, and not to the teaching of military science when its study is taken up voluntarily.
The foreword, setting forth the Committee's purpose, and the conclusion, which summarises the whole report and makes special recommendations are here with reprinted in full:
Foreword
This report on the extent of military training in the schools and colleges of Massachusetts deserves the attention of every citizen in the state.
"The Massachusetts Committee on Militarism in Education has set for its objects:
"To inquire into the status of military training in the educational institutions of Massachusetts.
"To urge the abolition of compulsory military training from the high schools and colleges of this state.
"We are living in days so near the Great War that its passions and hot partisanships are not yet dead. Thus it is that certain topics relating to our national policies are extremely difficult of sane and ordered consideration. One of these, is the problem of military training.
Educate Youth For Peace
"This Committee desires at the outset to recognize the sincerity of those with whom it differs in the matter of military training. It realizes particularly that many splendid men are engaged in teaching military science in schools and colleges and that it is far from their purpose to inculcate in pupils lust for war. It knows that members of the War Department and Army officers who advocate compulsory military training for all boys do so from the firm conviction that this is the best way to keep our country out of war. Here, in other words, is a question of policy on which honest people differ.
"The Committee itself is composed of citizens of many, often opposing, views as to the proper extent of military preparedness, who are agreed in the desire to see this country continue the traditions of justice, freedom and democracy which are at the base of our national greatness. One great element of our national tradition is our love of peace. The youth of today must be educated for peace if peace is to endure. The policies of our nation tomorrow are in their hands.
"The way of peace is not easy nor simple. There are dangers from without and within, and we would be dwelling in a fool's paradise to claim that all men of this or any nation are motivated by considerations of justice and good will. Just how proper preparation should be made by our country to meet the danger of war is a question upon which this Committee is divided. This is a question which it does not seek to settle. One thing unites its members.
