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‘The Educational Policies Conumission of the National Education Assuciation and the American Association of School Admin- istrators, and the Problems and Plans Committee of the American Council on Education: (Joint statement adopted March 13, 1944.) In our judgment it is unwise to commit the nation at this time to a year of universal military service for the following reasons: (1) Present military necessity—Under the Selec- tive Service Act, the present personnel needs of the Anmed Forces are being met so far as the nation’s resources of manpower permit. It therefore follows that the proposed year of compulsory military ser- v » be conceived in terms of a post-war, not ac..ceni, undertaking. No basic change in the pres- ent Selective Service System is necessary to provide required military personnel, not only for the period of the war, but also for the period immediately fol- lowing the defeat of our enemies. (2) Longtime military necessity—Since the pro- posed year of compulsery military service is not a question of immediate military necessity, it must be appraised in long range terms, In these terms, it is clearly impossible at this time to debate fairly and intelligently the question of whether compulsory military service is a national military necessity. No one can foresee the international stiuation which will exist when Germany and Japan are defeated. Neither the international political nor the international mil- itary situation can be calculated while the war is still in progress. Prophecies on this subject and debate thereon at this time may prove detrimental T national policy and to the unity of the <-uteu Nations. (3) Policing the peace—When this war is over, it may be neccssary to maintain a large standing army to police the peace, and this may force us to edopt compulsory military training. No one is in a pesition now, however, to forecast fully the inter- national responsibilities that relate to the occupa- tion of foreign teritories. Until the post-war na- tional situation is clarified, it seems to us extremely unwise and even dangerous to commit the nation to such a revolutionary change in fundamental national policy as would the establishment of compulsory military service. (4) The American military tradition — Our American democratic tradition is strongly set against s large standing army. We, along with the great body of American: will support @ year of com- nen ts ee tee eee Seenetenand thee, the safety of the nation requires it. We are unre servedly for adequate preparedness, but we see great dangers in any unnecessary break with our tested democratic tradition respecting compulsory military service in times of peace. (5) The opinion of the young men now fighting the war—The year of proposed military service, if “ adopted will directly alfect the children of men who are now fighting in the armed forces. These men should have a voice in determining the desirability and soundness of compulsory military service. Their opinions cannot, however, be determined until the war is over. This constitutes another strong reason for delaying decision until peace has come. (6) The nature of the peace—The American peo- ple are fighting this war with the hizh hope that it will eventuate in an enduring peace. We all lock for measures of internaticnal cooperation which will reduce the necessity for pusi-war large scale military establishments. If, against the background of these Breat expectations, a year of compulsory military training is urged, many Americans will interpret such action as a signal for the return of the cynicism of the 1920's or an admission that we shall all con- tinue to live in an armed camp and that the hopes of a more peaccful world are not to be realized. National Congress cf Parents and Teachers: We oppose: (1) Any bili providing for the draft- ing of 17-year old boys for military service until more effective use is made of man and woman power. (2) HR 1806, HR 3947, or any like measure com- mitting the nation at this time to a program of post- war military training. (May 25, 1944) The United States Student Assembly: We oppose universal military conscription in peacetime. (June 7, 1944) The Presbyterian General Assembly: We would record our vonviction that no decision should be made during the war which commits this nation to a post-war policy of peacetime mil conscription, (May 30, 1°44) The United Council of Church Women: Believing peacetime conscription to be opposed to principles both of the’ democratic way of life and the Christian belief in the worth and dignity of the individual, and believing that all young people should have an adequate opportunity to complete their education, we urge that Congress take no action looking toward the peacetime conscription of youth. (eee VK UNA . The General Conference of ihe Church: We request Congress to pestpoie aty Jation involving post-war conscrijti¢g unul the war, (May 6, 1914) The Northern Baptist Convention Whereas, our people are now « war which has aroused their feet to such an extent as to render sober thought difficult; and Whereas, it has been proposed tha the nition adopt at this time a very marked depa$ure fro: long established tradition by appro: which would require compulsory peac; training; . Whereas, the adoption of such a pr possibly commit our nation to a which would further complicate the cooperative solution of postwar pl. ing peace: Therefore he it Resolved, that we urge that the vo this proposal be postpuned until a hostilities in order that the full imp! coolly and dispassionately cons! fpusal would itary pol aweful 2: for prow idoration of the ert of ions mv be and ucil > The Annual Conference of the Brethren: The reat principles of equal opp dom of thought and expressi views and rizhts of minorities—prineipl:s ori ing in the spirit of Christ ar std in bern democracy—are also in peril, Wo! the degree to which our governn maintain them, we cannot he bl they are violated occasionally bv i itself and more frequently by th gard with serrow and alarm the onism directed against Jews. N. and American Japanese: and the ward permanent regimentation ard» American life through such pr Conscription Bill, (June 1], 94h) & The Board of Trusices of the N Labor Committee: ‘The National Child Labor Cs that the adoption of compulso:s for young men under the age of 19 ong foundly the lives of our young poop!} not be entered into hastily, It heli vedtthat it? possible to determine now, while we avg in the: af wee whether nnivarael military training