The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-31

Move to Give Enlisted Men of the Army
Preparatory Schooling.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3O.-Ihe movement to
train lads for the military, as theys\re now
trained for the naval service, is making
progress. As Lieut.. Weaver has said. when
tout of the 6,OOO new enlistments made
every wear 2,OOO DESERT it is time to begin
the governments work for tho army farther
back than the recruiting Office. The pro-
posal is to enlist boys between the ages of
l6 and l8 years, and to give them both mil
itary and general instruction. They would
not be pledged to enter the army at the
end of the apprentice enlistment, but
probably many of them would do SO.
Inspector General j. G. Breckenridge argues
that, while apprentice battalions are prima-
rily intended for securing better class of
non-commissioned officers. it would be a
gain to educate even those who might enter
civil life at once, since the country would
have SO much additional trained force to
rely upon in an emergency. He also holds
that, as the law already authorizes the en-
listment of miners, apprentice battalions
can be established by simple orders from
the war OeDAIIInGuts Dub luHt IL Is deStIdOle
to add them to the present enlisted maxi
mum.
Gen. ]. G. Hdball, of the retired llst,
| would put the age reriod for the appren-
ticeship from II to y years, and give them
| a regular organization of companies.
troops and batteries. under the charge of
| selected non-commissioned officers. Many
parents and guardians would be glad to
/ take advantage of this free schooling. He
would start the new institution on a large
scale, including about 5000 lads for the i'll
| fantry. 2,0OO for the cavalry and LOCO for
! the artillery. This would be about one
4 fourth of the entire enlisted strength of
/ the army: and such a force he justities on
! the ground that the apprentices would
be as available as any other class
of soldiers. Lieat. G. N. Whistler. how
ever, would begin with only fifty appren-
tees the first year, increasing the number
4 in successive years. he would also have
the boys enlisted at eighteen. to serve five
years, the first three at the school and the
other two with some regiment.
Major J. p. Sanger would have two bat
talions, of 400 boys each, with third bat
, talon possibly to be added. Master work
men should be employed to teach the me-
, chanic arts. The age should be between
: 8 xtsen and eighteen, and the term of en-
Iistment five years. with rs much of it as
: might be required in each individual cast
passed at the school. Lexington. Ky, il
suggested as the best point Tor eStabil 81 lnt
, tae school. Surgeon c. b. Greenieal
thinks that at least ten per cent of tn,
present annual eElistments are o.
minors and that the work o.
an adult is exacted from them when the,
are still immature. He would secure en-
listment upon graduation from the school
: and make caoesship at West Point re
ward for the three highest graduates. Sur
: geon A. A. Woodruff would have senio
. and Junior battalion, the latter being en-
tered at the age Of IL, with drafting 70 IL
j. senior battalion two or three years later
!. At that time the apprentices should be rs
!. signed by their officers to the various arm
of the service for which they seeta best fit
ted and drilled in special schools.
Lieut.. w. w. Witherspoon would hay
the course Of training of a general militar