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particularly the democracies, are more conducive to individual freedom than others;
the same thing might be said of religious sects, social customs, and other restrain-
ing forces. The health of the individual, ignorance, or a nagging wife might also
seriously impair personal freedom: Hence, while a policy of aggressive fulfillment,
even at the risk of war, is necessary to preserve our democratic form of government,
freedom for the individual must be achieved through the forces of education, and
other forms of enlightenment and social improvement.

When a nation is confronted with the necessity of preparing for war its
first interest settles upon its man-power, for men, in spite of the tremendous in-
crease in the use of war machines, are still the principal factors in combat. The
present struggle abroad involves the entire population of a country. Each individual
in a very real sense is a combatant in this modern scheme of total war. The battle
lines are the seas, the skies, the cities and towns, and the propaganda centers.
The aggressive power of a nation lies in the ability of its people to withstand the
rigors of warfare. Physical and organic stamina, faultless mental health, proper
evaluation of propaganda, resourceful thinking, and competence in personal and com-
munity hygiene are all essentials in this struggle for existence. In this conflict
ultimate victory will probably come to that nation whose entire population is best
able to endure the hazards attending total warfare.

For the first time in the history of this country we have recognized the
necessity of developing a peace-time policy of equipping ourselves for possible war.
We have conscripted man-power, industry and the wealth of the nation in order to
prosecute our program of preparedness. The experiences gained in the last war are
being found useful to some extent, but newer methods and machines are rendering
former practices obsolete. The ingenuity of the scientist and engineer, and their
control over matter can readily change the machinery of war; men, however, are not
so easily moulded.

As in the first World War, thousands of young men now are being conscript-
ed into the military forces of the nation. In 1917 the country was shocked at the
high percentage of rejection due to physical disability (about 30%); present incom~-
plete returns indicate an even greater percentage of rejections. Whether or not
this increase is due to insufficient data, higher standards, better examining
technics, or to a failure of educational and public health measures, is not clear
at this time. If this tragic health condition does exist in the favorable age
group of 21 to 35, it is certain that the health of the total population would be
found even worse if subjected to the same examination as required of those inducted
into the service. In as much as we are confronted with the possibility of total
war, this should be a matter of no little concern to each and everyone of us.

In view of the state of affairs existing in the Old World, and at the
present time in this country, it appears that we shall need to recast to some
extent our conceptions and methods of public education and of public health. No one,
of course, can predict just how long we shall need to keep our forces of war mobil-
ized, and our national affairs under the influence of military necessity. It is
quite conceivable that the military may continue as a dominant policy in our
national life for many years to come. Should this happen we may confidently expe ct
to see our political, economic, social and educational institution increasingly
yield to military influences. The directions these changes will take cannet be
precisely stated at the present time. It is the responsibility of those of us in
positions of leadership aggressively to guard the accomplishments of the past, and
actively to influence future practices so that they shall coincide with a healthy
philosophy of education in a democracy.

A number of steps have already been taken by educational and civic leaders
+o influence policies and practices in.a manner which seems to be in keeping with