THE YOUTH OF EUROPE IS BEING DRILLED FOR WAR

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1934, Page 15 (Supplement)

THE YOUTH OF EUROPE IS BEING DRILLED FOR WAR

rpHE ITALIAN Cabinet recently de- -*• creed that military training for all males shall begin at the age of 6, both in youth organisations and in schools, and shall continue until the age of 33, 10 years after the completion of compulsory military service. This decree marks another step in the growing militarisation of much of Europe’s post-war youth. In point of time, Russia combined military training and youth education as early as Italy and Germany, if not before. The militarygtraining of a Soviet youth begins at the age of 7 when he enters grade school, and continues through secondary institutions and universities.

The actual programme runs as follows: Primary schools stress “military gymnastics,” which include hikes and camping trips under military discipline. Wherever possible text books illustrate the Soviet’s defence programme, and a history of the Red Army is taught. Contacts are established between the students and members of the army. From 11 to 14 the students enter the technicums, or secondary schools, where industrial training is related to a study of pertinent military problems. Technicums are affiliated with the oil and motor-car industries, with aviation, with machine and tractor plants and with agriculture. Girls in the primary and secondary schools receive training in sanitation and hospital care. University students are taught military science and drill, and from the university ranks the Red Army gets many of its subordinate officers.

Last April the Soviet stepped outside the schools to encourage youthful military preparations. Members of the Young Communist Leaguenumbering about 4,500,000 of the boys and girls in the country who most ardently aspire to membership in the Communist party—were ordered to learn general military tactics and at the same time to specialise either in aviation, topography, chemical warfare, road-building, tank and lorry operation, or (particularly for girls) first-aid work. Rifle training was stimulated; and at present, it is said, 250,000 young Communists have qualified as sharpshooters.

The Italian Fascist Youth organisation was created in 1926. It is composed (of two groups; the Balilla, including boys from eight to 14 years, and the Avanguardisti, including boys from 14 to 18. At first military drill was a volunteer affair confined largely to the Avanguardisti, though physical education played an

important part in the programmes of both the youth organisations and the schools. In 1930, however, a Ministerial decree ordered the Fascist militia—a pre-military service organisation of young men between the ages of 18 and 21—to drill all Italian youth of their own age on Sundays and holidays. At the beginning of this year the

Department of Education took steps to build up a force of 100,000 officers recruited from the Fascist militia to supervise the “military and moral” training of 2,000,000 Italian boys enrolled in the Balilla and the Avanguardisti. This was to prepare the “new generation for possible emergencies.”

The Balilla was drilled with toy rifles and taught the rudiments of military routine. Games, sports, hikes, and camping holidays were all organised under strict military discipline. Now Mussolini has declared that “military instruction is an integral part of national education. So, in addition to Balilla and Avanguardisti, official sanction will countenance “moral, gymnastic and military training” for all schoolboys. The militarisation of German youth reached its most fervid climax in the early months of the Hitler regime. When Hitler came into power the Nazi Youth group soon absorbed half a dozen rivals and allies. The Hitler Youth, as it is now called, is organised somewhat like the Storm Troops, differing only in the names of units. Its various subdivisions embrace youths from 10 to 18 years of age. In German schools, of ‘course, military training is forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles, but physical education and sports under rigid, discipline are carried on. The military training of Hitler Youth is accomplished after school hours. Last June, bv decree, each Saturday became “State Youth Day,” during which all the Youth were requested to assemble and drill.

In Asia Japan has developed an interesting situation. In 1926 military training was made compulsory throughout the nation’s schools from the sixth standard upward, embracing about 1,500,000 youths between the ages of 12 and 20. Students in private schools could volunteer for this training, but they did not respond to the movement as eagerly as was expected. Every Japanese schoolboy wears a uniform and three times a year he must assemble with his comrades for field manoeuvres. Once a year older boys must spend a week in camp, drilling with rifles.

Outside of the schools, there is a powerful organisation known as the Young Men’s Leagues, described as “semi-martial” in spirit, with a membership close to 3,000,000, ranging in age from 12 to 25. Their leaders are often government officials —village headmen or school principals.