Page 91 - 1918 February - To Dragma

184 TO DRAG MA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

Susie's brother when a million and a half of him are called to the colors in
training camps to be established over the country. There is a step of moral
preparedness that should be taken in the near future and in full knowledge
of the facts we shall be compelled to face.

There never was a war that did not bring out many of the worst traits
in the boys in uniform as well as many of the noblest. Because men are herded
off together under the terrific pressure of the training camps we are not sur-
prised to hear warnings against; the steady increase of profanity and of im-
morality. Records tell us that this was true in the days of the Civil War,
though not so much has been written about that gruesome side of army life.

Over in the camps of Europe the same problem has been met. The men are
drawn from over seas, and from the distant corners of the earth. They are far
enough away from the home fires so their women folks do not see them eve-
nings, and they do not have to report where they were last night. Then, too,
a spirit of rashness has come over the men, though they will not express it
for fear it would be swank, yet every man knows he is going into a warfare
with the largest percentage of fatalities ever known in history. I f he happens
to be at certain coveted points in the front line of trenches under heavy
bombardment, it is quite likely that four-fifths of the battalion will be wiped
out before they are relieved, and only the broken remnants will stagger back
through the communication lines.

War always produces fatalistic philosophy. It did for Mohammedanism
and Buddhism. It has in the Japanese character, .as well as in the Turk. The
Anglo-Saxon has less of it than most races, but the armies of the contestants in
Europe are reported to be fatalistic in philosophy and practice. The shrapnel
fragment won't get them until their hour comes. It is not worth while to dodge
a bullet nor to duck at the scream of a shell, though all wise safeguards will, of
course, be taken on the basis of efficiency. This spirit of fatalism produces a
lack of individual moral responsibility. Men come pretty near to saying in their
minds, "Eat, drink, and be merry for you are on your way to the trenches."

Then, too, the darkened streets of the city add the element of mystery and
of secrecy to many a simple street-corner chat. The men tend to lose their
individuality in uniform and heavy hob-nailed shoes, so that the standards and
reminders of the past have lost a part of their power. All of these conditions
will be reproduced in our own camps unless—unless.

The thing for which the women of America should now labor, is to create
such public sentiment that our nation shall say, "We are going into this war
not under ordinary circumstances. I t is based on the highest moral and
spiritual ideals, consequently ordinary conditions of immorality and tendencies
toward moral weakness must be fought down. I t is likely that we shall have
prohibition to an extent never before known in army life. The whole country
is stirred totally by the splendid success of the "dry" campaign. Why should
we not also add a community and state-wide and national demand for moral
environment near each camp?

Prostitution has no place near army camps. Tendencies to evil are sufficiently
great even under the best conditions. T o see that these young men are given
a chance to live straight and decent lives in camp is the least that our govern-
ment can grant. Groups of women everywhere may well bestir themselves in
their communities to strive to secure pledges from those in authority who will
be able to influence conditions that a higher moral standard will be maintained
than ever before.