Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1889-12-28
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Army Desertions, Its Causes
and Remedies.

and Remedies.
Much has already been said regard
ing this subject, and as it is such fast
growing evil, a few words from my
feeble pen, might possibly aid in strik-
ing the final blow, that will forever
Danish the numerous causes of this
national disgrace Theory after theory
has been advanced, conjectures innum-
cradle made, but still army desertion is
on the increase. Our authorities at
Washington, the Secretary of War,
and so on down the list to the observ-
ing civilian and humblest soldier, have
gravely discussed this important sub
ject, and all alike are at loss to fathom
this deepening mystery. For a civilian
who knows so little of what the army
really is, to make suggestions and offer
a remedy for the deviation of this evil
which is very often the case-is
simply nonsensical, absurd in its detail.
Every cause has its effect, every evil
its remedy let us see if we cannot get
at some of these causes, after which it
will be easier to offer a remedy or an
alternative. Nine-tenths Of the deser-
lions are made during the first twenty
months Of the recruits enlistment.
And why? | will endeavor to explain.
Here is B, who is in trouble
through family affairs, matrimonial
disappointment, perhaps slight devia
ton from the proper path, or a hun
dred-and-one little things that beset a
young mans path in life. He is heart
broken, distracted, probably on the
verge of committing some grave mis-
deed, sauntering along the public high
way, when a flaming advertisement
looms up to his gaze.
"WANTED!
RECRUITS FOR THE U. s. ARMY. GOOD
PAY, FOOD, CLOTHING and QUARTERS"
He reads with eager interest the OPP
portunities there set forth, chances of
promotion, etc. Walking up to the
soldier who is pacing to and fro in
front of the office, he asks the usual
preliminary questions, and is ushered
inside and into the presence of the re-
cruiting officer A few more questions
answered satisfactorily by the young
man, and he is stripped for thorough
physical examination, after which, if
he is considered sound by the attend
ing surgeon, he takes the oath Of allie
glance. And for whar Let us see
further on. Here, in my estimation is
the first and one of the greatest causes.
But very few questions are put to the
applicant, and his answers, of course,
are always satisfactory. The recruiting
officer has his word that all is right,
and that only. | would suggest instead
of "swearing-in" the applicant imme-
diately, he should be detained at the
rendezvous for at least three days, I'M
til a clearer insight into his past life
and associations have been obtained !;
he should be given true description
Of the life he is to lead thorough
knowledge Of the meaning Of the word
discipline" as applied to an army ;
and last, but not least the difference
between the stations in life of the COM
missioned officers and that of the en-
listed man, then if he still persists in
his original idea, he may be sworn in.
Now he is issued clothing and as the
non-commissioned officer who superin-
tends that work cares but little for
your feelings, he hands you clothing
either too large or too small for you.
In many cases they fit like salt sacks,
thrown promiscuously on a hitching
post OF course to a majority of young
men that is most provoking and EN-
barrassing. That could be remedied.
After time he is sent to Jefferson
Barracks, where instructions in digging
post-holes, potatoes, washing dishes,
shoulder arms, right and left face COM
mences. Frank p. Woodward in the
st. Louis GLobe-Democrat, has amply
described his life there and some of the
evils have since been remedied, nc
doubt, so no mention of the numerous
causes that a recruit may find, thereby
causing thoughts Of desertion, need be
detailed by me. A sojourn there of &
few weeks and a detachment is SEM
away to the headquarters of the regi
ment to which he is assigned, and
thence to the different companies OIL
troops. Now, after going through Thu
much he begins to have an idea thai
his manhood, dignity, selfrespect anC
ambitions are little considered by those
in authority over him. Instead O
holding the dignity that BELTS sol
der, his sudden initiation into manua
labor, often the hardest and dirtiest
puts to flight all the romance of a sol
dier's dream, that might have ariser
in his Imagination. 1t appears to hin
he is now mental to perform sharply
defined functions, nothing more. He
possibly gentleman's son to be waltz
ing around the garrison, behind gar
bage and POLICING cart, hod on hi
shoulder or a sack in his hand gather
) ing leaves and other ofal from tn
; company parade ground, is too mucl
for his dignity. Again he consider
himself lowered, possibly insulted
Why has the officer that enlisted hin
, neglected to tell him all these littl
7 things? Why? He is sure the poster
setting forth the glorious opportunitie
afforded in the army for young maj
anxious to make a mark in the servic
made no mention of manual labor
J After all, he has been bodily sold.
Now, at the rendezvous he is issue
some sort of wearing apparel, which a
soon as he joins his company, is in on
g sense Of the word, worthless to hin
5 He has been issued pants of high
e blue quality and blouse, probably thre
E sizes too large for him. He notices tn