

the present age period of military conscription. The proposed lowering 

 of the draft age for the National Army of the United States would, 

 however, be a calamity the ultimate consequences of which might be 

 even more serious than the immediate loss of life, limb and health' on 

 the battle field. All the standard authorities on army recruiting who 

 have thoughtfully and impartially considered the question of age in its 

 relation to military service are strongly opposed to the inclusion of 

 mere boys, or what Sir William Aitken has so admirably described as 

 "growing lads." If the quotas forthcoming from the present age 

 period of the Selective Draft, 21 to 31, are insufficient and if improved 

 and more rational methods of medical examination or remedial physical 

 training are inadequate, it would in every way be preferable to raise 

 the draft age even, if necessary, to 50 and over, rather than to lower 

 the age by a single year or two to 20 or 19. In the words of Sir 

 William Aitken (sustained by distinguished English, French and Amer- 

 ican army authorities), in his treatise "On the Growth of the Recruit 

 and Young Soldier," which deserves to be much better known in this 

 country than there are reasons for believing is actually the case : 



It has been fully demonstrated that the placing of "growing lads" in the field 

 who are physically immature has not only been poor economy but has some- 

 times been fatal to the success of military operations. Such lads have always 

 been found disqualified and unable to perform the duties or to endure the 

 hardships incident to the life of a soldier. 



Also, according to the late Dr. Parks whose treatise on Public 

 Hygiene is a standard work of reference throughout the world : 



There is no doubt that to send young lads of 18 to 20 into the field is not 

 only a lamentable waste of material, but is positive cruelty. At that age such 

 soldiers, as Napoleon said, merely strew the roadsides and fill the hospitals. The 

 most effective armies have been those in which the youngest soldiers have been 

 22 years of age. 



These are the words of military wisdom, based upon military expe- 

 rience. They require to be taken to heart by those who in very truth 

 have the future physical welfare of the nation in their keeping. We 

 are, it is said, in this war to the last man and the last dollar; but that 

 very policy precludes the ruthless waste and wrongful sacrifice of the 

 nation's boyhood, unless the exigencies of the military, situation are 

 such as to imperatively demand the lowering of the draft age, which, 

 considering our vast population, our healthy and resistant manhood of 

 mature ages must be considered, at this time, at least, a remote 

 contingency. 



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