The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-16
ARMY APPRENTICE BATTAI1ONS.
A Now Development of the Prevailing De-
mnnd for EonnInr MllILnrH Ednention.

A New DEVELOPMENT of the Prevailing De.
mand for Popular Military Education.
WASHINGTON. July 15.-One Of the leading
ideas in the staiT departments OF the army,
nowadays particularly in the Offices OF the
Adjutant- General and the Inspector General,
10 that OF giving military education and train
ing, under the auspices and with the aid OF the
regular establishment, to as large q part OF the
young men OF the country as practicable In
stead OF seeking to combine military expert
ence and responsibilities to the little standing
army, the reserve method OF aouuainting the
people with the profession OF arms is now in
favor. Congress takes up this idea with con-
siderable interest, and responds to It's various
manifestations We SEQ its influence in the
increase mnde by the Fiftleth Congress In the
number OF army officers who may be detailed
to act as military instructors In colleges
and academies: and also in q pending
bill in the present Congress for making a
further increase OF fully one-half OF the
present number so that tho total details would
be double those Of few years ago. We see
the Same spirit in this years orders to rogu-
lar officers detailed for the inspection OF the
militia camps. onjoining them to interest the
troops Whenever the state authorities desire
and permit We observe the endency In the
new system proposed for post schools. and In
hereafter to pe practically military school,
and term OF enlistment one OF military edu-
cation. We see 1t in the suggestion made by
this years Board of Visitors to Wost Point. to
have State military schools established, serv-
ing as preliminary or preparatory schools for
that institution.
But ono OF the most novel manifestations OF
this general tendency Is to be found in the bills
pending In Congress to organize apprentice
battalons for the army. Naval apprentices are
familiar in this country. Their organizations
have proved very useful, and the apprentice
training squadron includes no fewer than six
vessels. Independently OF the school ships OF
individual States. Inspector General Breck-
enridRe. in his last annual report made this
suggestion:
battalion OF apprentices would doubtless be as
beneficial 70 the army as to the navy and give an open
ing Tor career to the sons Of many Old soldiers
has shown What Admirable Soldiers are MADE By thoso
EGG;@
emphasis for the mounted service.
This idea Gen. Breckenridge has elaborated
in long letter to Senator Plumb In support OF
the bills pending on the subject:
WelmanaGed apprentice battAlions would be a great
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ranks q the special organizations intended for models
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deserving lad will be glad OF opportunity
during good behavior, ''1O . 'N''0''
As TO the schome suggested by the visitors
to the Military Academy for forming State
R Ba da'"SSnsf t %a' Should It Ss
boys battalion. similar to those kept IN In
there would at least be good material for such
State institutions. We SHOULD then have
IN vSS e fao
now. From the battalions OF lads and young
men some recruits might be obtained FOR, the
organizations could be looked after by the
military authorities. and not O few Of those
which would be conducted from to time after
working hours. might look forward with eager.
ness to arriving at the age when they would
Young men enlisted with such preparation
not only could Join their companies at once,
but could be relied on not to desert. This is one
ground Of the argument that the Government
can we'll afford to bear tho EXPENSE OF establish.
tie plans snseestei for lie States, The high.
be adopted. and thence to West Point
The plan Of Cen waI 6S OF last years
which was attached as n specia paper to that
report. followed a different method. This was
academy and every company Officer pofsonmi
instructor OF his men At the end OF the
fourth year OF enlistment about 300 or 800 men
should be picked from the entire body who
had served four years and sent to West Point
to complete their fifth year the remainder
being discharged. AT the end OF the fifth year
oil vacancies in second Lieutenanc should
be filled from tho best Of this class and tho re-
mainder supplied with diplomas OF merit and
discharged.
The suggestion conveyed by oil these pro-
jects Is that OF maxim the army moro Of an
educational institution than 1t ever has boon
hitherto. Tho Same tendency is seen in tho
number of advanced schools in the army. and
the explanation "a. doubtless, to be ,lound in
war. The rage now is for much education.
both Of officers and men. Possibly. 50 far as
enlisted men arc concerned. 1t may be at first
little overdone. and book learning and deX-
terty in the manual Of arms put above cOur-
age, fidelity. and quick insight and good Judg-
ment in consequence. II So there will be some
reaction the other way.