CDefense Day Friday, September 12th
HE Defense test is an explanation and try out of
plans proposed for our national defense with add
ed patriotic ceremonies. Its primary purpose is to
enable our people to see for themselves and to un
derstand the initial steps necessary to muster our
man-power for national defense. Some of the in
itial steps in mustering our man-power is the filling in full
strength the various units of the army of the United States and
the steps necessary to provide for their supply, shelter, pay
ment, training, medical care and attention
The Defense Test is necessary because in past emergencies, from the
time of our colonial wars, up to the beginning of the World War, we have
had no adequate plans for maintaining troops through an emergency. W e
have hitherto been forced to rely upon hastily created bodies and there
have resulted delay, confusion, duplication of effort, extravagance and
unnecessary loss of life. Every generation has paid and the present and
future generations must still continue to pay the price of this past lack
of foresight and preparation. The present system contemplates that as
much of this preparation as possible be made during times of peace and
not at a time when our national security may be at stake.
No foreign nation could possibly misunderstand the Defense Test or be
concerned in any way unless it were regarding our wealth with covetous
eyes. Foreign governments are thoroughly familiar with our laws and
our policy contemplates the use of our forces only for national defense.
We have proven to the world time after time that we desire no territory,
that we desire no indemnities and that we are prepared to fight only in
self defense. After the Spanish-American war we set Cuba free, accept
ed the territory of Porto Rico only because the inhibitants so desired, and
instead of demanding indemnities from Spain we actually paid her
twenty million dollars for the Philippines, and we are prepared to free
these islands as soon as they are capable of self-government. We have
accepted indignities in the past which would have been considered by
other nations as justifiable causes for war. After the World War, we re
fused to accept any indemnities or reparations. We have definitely es
tablished the policy of non-aggression which all nations know and recog
nize. And we shall always continue this national policy.
The Defense Test is not militaristic. It is the direct opposite. Militar
ism exists when the army dominates and controls the government. In
our country the army is of the people, is controlled by the people, and
exists only for the purposes outlined in the Constitution—to suppress in
surrection and repel invasion. Militarism pre-supposes a large standing
army. In our country we depend on a citizen army. The Regular Army,
numbering only about one soldier per thousand of population, forms the
smallest of the three components of the Army of the United States. The
others, the National Guard and Organized Reserves, are made up of
highly patriotic citizens engaged in civil occupations and devoting only a
small portion of their spare time to military training. Thus we have a
thoroughly democratic and thoroughly American army which is directly
opposed to everything militaristic. There is nothing in the Defense Test
which by the wildest flight of imagination can be considered militaristic.
The Defense Test is in harmony with all movements for world peace and
is expressly designed to insure peace to considerable portion of the world,
at least, to insure peace to the United States of America. It is not in con
flict with the principles of The Hague Tribunal, the LeagueofNations.the
World Court o fany other peace plan and unless a person or society can
absolutely insure our country against the possibility of our having to de
fend ourselves, our territory, and our wealth, he, she or they have no
right to oppose the National Defense Test which our Government experts
have decided is necessary to insure the efficient working of our National
Defense Act. There exists in the world today no power higher than our
own power of self-defense to insure us against the possibility of aggres
sion. If other nations will follow our example and reorganize their arm
ies for defense only, along the lines of oUr own National Defense Act,
there will never be another war and world peace will indeed be accom
plished.
(Courtesy The Omaha Bee)
The pictures shown here are typical of the
mobilization activities in Omaha during
1917 and 1818. Few Americans will ever
forget the stirring days of our entrance intc
the greatest war of all time.
The Defense Test is in exact accord with these ideals and traditions Ameiican ideals are life,
liberty and pursuit of happiness”. Our forefathers recognized that these ideals could only be
secured through “union, order and common defense . these ideals must li\e if the nation is
to live, and the Defense Test is designed to perpetuate these ideals. ^ As to traditions, the ^De
fense Test will be very similar to the time-honored “muster day under the Act of 1792.
Under this Act all free, male citizens between the ages of 18 and 45 were required to register
and to report, when directed, at the point of muster. In some localities, the entire population
participated in “Muster Day” assembling picnic fashion to witness the ceremonies and exer
cises. In view of our history, can the Defense Test be said to be not in accoid with Ameiican
ideals and traditions?
Your Country Desires Your Co-operation
If you believe in reasonable measures of preparedness, if you believe that the only real insur
ance for permanent peace is to enlist the co-operation ot all citizens in the part they ill pl&y in
national defense; if you place peace and love of country, home and family above self, then ex- ^
press vour approval of what in the last analysis is a guarantee of peace and piotection, by fill
ing out the attached enrollment blank and mailing it to the National Defense Test Committee.
15th and Dodge, Army Building, Omaha, Nebraska.
Fill Out and Mail
the Enrollment Card
Enrollment for National Defense and Preparedness
Omaha, Nebraska. M^HUPP? ' ^ate.".*
I. the undersigned, am willing to serve in any capacity that I may he able to
fill in connection with the celebration of St. Mihiel day (National Defense
Test) on September 12, 192*1. Such service to be rendered without cost to the
government, and will not obligate me in any way to join any branch of the
military establishment of the United States.
1 ’ .. ' ' i
I wish to he assigned to. • ••»••• ... • *.. • • I
Military unit, welfare or other organisation. jf
Signed ..St and No.-.
Instructions: Fill in blanks, sign and mail to National Defense Committee,
Army Bldg. An assignment card will be mailed you showing the unit to which
you are assigned and with which you will march on Defense Day. Time and
place of assembly will be announced in daily papers.
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This Message Made Possible By the Following Patriotic Citizens of Omaha:
Nelson C. Pratt Frank Johnson V. A. Johnson
Nicholas Oil Corp. O..U Print!.. Co. T C. ^
‘‘Buiinen la Good, Thank You” Ford Transfer & Storage Co. Ideal Cement Stone Co.
Mayor Jas. C. Dahlman R- A- Ford> M,r- Paxton Billard Parlors
Tagg Bros. & Moorhead , M. E. Smith & Co. Wmniek Bro«., Prop.
^ Li»o Stock CommiMion Guarantee Fund Life Association Nebraska Army Store
O. H. Barmettler, rres. _ . . , c , , _
lien Biacuit Co. Conant, Henshaw and Sanford G. R. Kinney Co.
Carpenter Paper Co. . Hotels *! -The FamiW SKo* store”
