University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

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Ih-llv Coulson Zdit i - in - Bob Woodward Publisher! Fire Times Venr v by I P Students of Kansas University ... a Record of Campus Life. Trends, and Personalities of 1940-41 WASHINGTON by ERNEST K. LINDLEY r f 0 SAY that this is one of the most momentous - periods in history is becoming trite. Nevertheless, it seems to me to be inescapably true. The shape of things to come cannot be foretold. But we can see that any nation which is not a for- midable military power, or is not protected by a formidable military power, is inviting extinction. Reluctantly, but with at least a dim realization of the possibly disastrous consequences of any other course, the United States is converting itself again into an armed nation. In making personal plans the safest assumption to go on is that we will have a great rearmament pro- gram, accompanied by compulsory military training, for an indefinite time to come. The present selective service law may give way within a year or two to a system of universal service, requiring perhaps a year of military training of every young man and, con- ceivably, a shorter period of auxiliary train- ing of every girl. Such a period of national service could be meshed into our regular educational system. It might come in the twenty-first year, just before the voting age is reached. It might come in the 19th year in which case the voting age should be lowered. Any young man or woman who is old enough to be called upon for national service. military or non-military, is old enough to have a voice in determining national policies. I venture this qualified prophecy because I believe we are moving toward a system of total defense which will permit the quick mobilization of all of our resources for war. My own college e ducation was interrupted by a period of military training during World War I. I have always looked back on the experience as beneficial to me, as I think it was to nearly all the young men who entered the armed services at that time, excepting, of course, those who were killed or wounded in battle. It is extremely doubtful whether our national interests were sufficiently jeopardized to require our going to war in 1917. If the present war were merely a repetition of World War I, we could view it much more calmly than we are now justified in doing. But the present struggle has veered away from the pattern of 1914-17. It has become less and less a traditional imperialist war and more and more a conflict between systems of government and thought which can end only with the total defeat of one sys- tem or the other. Already we have had flung at us formally and openly the threat which has always haunted the minds of our statesmen and military strategists the threat of simultaneous attack from both oceans by an alliance of heavily armed states. The Grand Alliance cannot make good its threats to us until it has conquered Great Britain and China, whose usefulness as our outer lines of defense is now brought out in high relief. If Britain, in particular, stands with our non-belligerent aid we may avoid war. If Britain falls especially during the next year or two before we have rearmed we may have to fight for our very existence. And it is always possible that we will decide that it would be wiser for us to assure that the war is fought to a favorable conclusion at a safe distance from our shores. We may go to war. or be forced into it by attacks on our vital interests, within the next year or two. But our going to war is not inevitable. Especially if I were in college, I would make my plans on the assumption that going to war is not inevitable. I would keep in mind, also, that whatever else happens, this country is going to need more thoughtful, informed, and well-trained men and women than ever before in its history. For we are in a period when we must think with the clarity and boldness of the founders of the Republic. Noted Journalist, Son of the Chancellor Emeritus, Tells the Truth as He Sees It !

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r A MI inn -fl Qa.yka.wket FAMILIAR SCENES, THESE: SEPTEMBER MEANS BACK TO SCHOOL (THE JAY- HAWKER HITCHHIKES IF NECESSARY), MEETING FRIENDS, A PRE-SCHOOL DATE, AND REQUIRED MEETINGS FOR THE FROSH SAYING AH! GETTING FINGERPRINTED BEING P1NK-TEAED WORK -IT ' S ALWAYS WAITING AND REQUIRED NEW-STUDENT INDUCTION TilECHANCl PROFICIENCIES