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The Fellewing Repert e curriculum of the land ment under th ithout reachip Was Prepared for the Annual Conference What steps can 2 state take in carryin gram? The platform of the Wisconsin progressive republican party in its 1922 campaign read as follows: “We appeal to the citi- gens, especially the wives and mothers of Wisconsin, to take definite political action looking to the outlawry of war. To - this end, we favor control by the people of the war- i er through an amendment providing for a popular refer- thenever Congress, in other than 8 national emer- ghall vote to declare wer. We condemn the oresent c expenditures for military and naval purposes, as being an. encouragement to imperialism, grossly wasteful of the public funds, ‘and provocative of war. We reaffirm our unalterable opposition to universal military training or any other Mmilitaristic system in either state OF nation.” In at- tempting to carry out this pledge the wives and mothers especially appealed to were confronted with the question sting ideals to practical action under the constitutional Limitations im posed by federal and state governments. Military Training mn Universities The first step being taken in Wisconsin to do away with militarism is in the attempt to make military training optional in the University. The spur to the start was given by Mi Amy Woods and Miss Rankin in their talk in Madison last ra|_Charles suaded the regents to rule requiring all male students to attend military be Wisconsin statutes have provided that “ail able- ‘male students in whatever college may receive in- struction and discipline in military tactics.” ‘The rule of the this training compulsory. Bill 170A, intro- duced by Mr. Sachtjen, amends this provision of the statutes to read “and any able-bodied male student may at his option truction and discipline in milita tactics.” Should the rule of the regents would be abrogated. ii land grant act required the inclusion of military grant colleges. Whether that teaching should be compulsory oF not does not seem rmined. The twenty-six land grant colleges which questionnaire report that military training is —The Wisconsin Attorney General’s office has rendered an opinion to the effect that while the Act of Congress of July 2, 1862, sometimes known aS Morrill Land Grant Act, makes it compulsory that the University of Wisconsin provide facilities for mili- tary training, the statute does not require that military training be compulsory as to the students attending the University. , National Guard Repeal second step, the repeal of the national guard, bas ch more bitter contention. Bill 47A, introduced by kowski, was to repeal the state law providing for 1 guard. This pill, later indorsed by the Wisconsin Progressive Association and by i e W. I. L, passed the assembly with little opposi- te of 62 to 17. By the time it reached the senate, on the legality of this repeal gained headway to the federal govern: e National Defense Act was questioned an of the national guard For the first time the provisions of the Act were aired. Had the legislature, in con- 11 to abolish the national guard, placed itself lous position of attempting to abolish something virtue of the National Defense Act, it had no any conclusion on this question the setthed the fate o the bill by its indefinite postpone- en for a state to indicate to the national govern- ment its disapproval of the increasing preparation for defense by reducing or withholding appropriations. £ Wisconsin, in 2 special message to the legisla- ruary 27, 1923, has suggested that Wisconsin woul obligations to the federal government by a change sength of the national guard from 6,900 to 3,900, the expenditure from $574,748 to approximately 000. Whether or not we consider this reduction ad Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, 1403 H Street N. W., Washington, D. ¢. g out an anti- quate or wh amounts on the main issue. letter by Zona Gale writes: “7 am alive to the objec at doing away with any form from a national guard to a then on from there to & WwW are situations which make anv form of military ma- chinery and operation seem tempor: concede that the abolition of its nati state might lend argument to the Wisconsin of the WI. L., held in Washingtez, D.C., March 1923- Militariam, Session 1923 etate senate passed April It may be assumed this by the assembly.) Cost of National Guard In 1914-15 the total federal expenditures © guard were $3,858,383.15. The t were $7,729,673.13, a total expe federal appropriation in 1922 $25,554,100, an increase of 700 per cen Militia Bureau estimates national guard of a strength of 250, cost to the states to be $24,407,500. tunity to indicate by their stand o who urge a great standi thing better than that. than those men will be the sp nation when one of the states That act will give to the out impetus as in the United States this cause had, save only its impetus 2 i ple. For the people are si and all its manifestations. act from somebody it is now. “If before we outlaw war W and territorial and other causes shail wait until ruin has conceivable method of ever dealin territorial or any other difficultie must cause War to cease brand it as what it is: Crime. B _ keep by a state of a grou function through physical force with state approval, chology. And it is by tende: $466,000 Already Baved Wisconsin ether we demand the we have gained ground. We bave sons on a state basis. (Note.—Final action on- national guard had not been taken repeal of the appropriation, begun to make compari- opriation for the i not be increased n the national tal expenditure: diture of $11,588 for the national The states have an oppor- n national guar i tions whether they wish to keep on expen’ military preparedness. Gpiritual Effect of State Action But the question of expenditur That issue has Gale tbat it ought e, though important been so well express d to be included hece. tions which may be brought of militarism, all the huge standing ional guard by any y. But I know some” more powerful ffect upon the lays down her arms. wing of war such an lf ever we nee e wait until the trade of war are settled, we rtaken the world. For war itself breeds new causes of war-—-bave we ever had bet- ter proof of that than in Europe today? We are con cerned with just one thing: To do away with war as @ g with our trade or s. To this end we pectable. We must ut the expensive up- citizens dedicated to s to stamp physical tends to create war pSY- neies that a people moves. all the world will say » We are done with every form of militarism in our state. this will be not the shot, but the voice, echoed around the world.” to Wisconsin Taxpayers — The people of Wisconsin ought to know that has already been saved to the taxpay result of the agitation that has followe national guard question. * * * The Capital Times, Madison, to time, in its editorials, stated progressive association and th bly have rendered a great service to to the attention of the people of th ing the insidious penetration machine at Washington. d the raising of the Wisconsin, has from tim that the women i bers of the ass¢m- state the facts concern this state of th