The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-04-17
THEY NOW PLAY AT WAR,
But Should a Call to Arms Como
They Could Do Yeomen
Service.
Radical Changes In Military Tac-
tics as Taught In Ameri-
can Colleges.
fnlly $4,000 Students in Various Ecr,ooIs
Under Military Training-yVork
Ma.. Done at Deer Lodge.

/ $ '1o1Hh' april lb.-l special. The
campus ut the College of Montana presents
an animated scene each day as the cadets
go through the interesting evolutions of
the new tactics. The precise parade
ground features of tho old drill arc dis
i earded, the idea now is to attain the OBJ iec-
tlVe without any unnecessary and hamper
| ing movements. Occasionally an old
veteran Of the last war will look on and opep
ms eyes IN aetonishment at the radical
changes. The fighting line. that force 40
nard TO manage in 4 battle. is now ainly
controlled BY the corporas. each with his
equad Of seven men. All look to him for
tnelr orders. The corporal i'd on the alert
for the orders Of his commanding officer
thua placing the movement OF the all i'm
portsnt fighting line under the control Of
the more intelligent men OF the command.
Ihe cadets show wonderful aptitude for
this work and when they move over half a
mile 20 the attack, it is no dog trot, but at
gait that shows the result Of their diverse
athletic games.
\ Inc manual Of arms is no longer to be 90
machine like. In fact, there is no time for
u. Such vast field lies before the young
soldier that it seems a sad lack of iudg-
ment to waste time on it. He becomes ex-
pert gradually and perfects his manual as
ne handles his piece during the COMPANY
movements. The hardest lesson is to learn
hre discipline. Volleys are used whenever
possible, either by squads on the skirmish
line or by larger units in close order. The
cadets have caught the idea and their
volleys are perfect.
The drills are executed at liyelv gait
and ended by half. mile run to the armory.
A few minutes later these young warriors
are expounding the mysteries of the Euclid
or mixing tendish oderiferous conooctions
IN the chemical laboratory. or assayinQ the
ores sent in from the neighboring mines
Twice week the cadets recite in ia cites
or attend lectures on military subjects
Every Saturday morning is devoted to
target practice in the gymnasium. More
than $500 rounds of ammunition
have been fred since February. Each
squ&35 Loads its own ammunition after
practiee. On Saturday afternoon the CON-
pany marches out on the road and is taught
the duties of advance and rear guards. A
march of ten miles takes just three hours
The last march was terminated by run of
quarter of mile. The young men seem
to enjoy the work and make rapid prog
ress.
In some eastern states the cadets showing
special talent are mentioned to the COVER
nor of the state and from him receive COM
missions in the National guard. Last wear
about twenty distinguished cadets received
commissions in the regular army. Our
statesmen displayed much wisdom when
they enacted the laws governing military
drill at colleges under officers of the repu-
lar army. About $4,000 young men are un-
der drill at present, and college men under
professional soldiers learn in few wears
enough to step into service as an officer /
and be good one. This force consti tutes
already great power behind our small
regular army. The people do not realize
Il, but when the next call to arms is heard
thousands oil well-educated, brave and
trained young men will fill the first line
md astonish the war-like nations across
The water.