COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING

Digests of resolutions adopted by the
Central Conference of American Rabbis
between 1889 and 1974

2. Repeated in 1927 (p. 21); 1928 (p. 86).

3. We protest against a bill introduced in Congress which provides for registration of all male citizens between 18-45 for military duty and for their call to arms whenever Congress or the President of the United States deems it necessary. (1929, p. 117)

4. We disapprove all proposals for universal conscription even when such proposals are represented as being intended to produce conditions which will be deterrent to war. We must beware of bills purported to draft capital as well as labor and to take the profit out of war. Conscription bills tend to bring war, not peace. (1930, p. 63)

5. Reiterated in 1939 ( p. 72) .

6. We express regret at the action of colleges suspending or expelling students who refuse to take military training because of dictates of religious beliefs or conscience. We ask for abolishment of citizens military training camps and national rifle schools and elimination of compulsory aspect to student military training. (1932, pp. 283-43)

7. We disapprove of the forced conscription of all men between 21 and 31 as being excessively militaristic. Reiterate opposition to compulsory military training in colleges and universities and to all military training in high schools. (1935, p. 63)

8. We reaffirm our opposition to military training in the educational institutions of this country and express our endorsement of the Nye-Kvale Amendment to withhold government funds from those civil educational institutions which make military training compulsory. (1936, p. 66)

9. This Conference goes on record in opposition to compulsory military training in time of peace. (1946, p. 102) Reaffirmed in 1947 (p. 69) and in 1948 (p. 127).