Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-30
An Army Officer Presents a Brand
New Theory.
NO MILITIA AND NO WAR.
A Second Chapter as to the Refusal OF Lieut..
Graham to Accept Maj. Harrison's Chal-
lenge-Thcre Will Be Rifle Matches ut the
Printers' Fair.

Sometimes one or more
SNN OF these officers write
::::: 6; :; 8: !:
officer launches an I'M
SISsubstantiaf bark on the
sea of literature, and if
the frail thing survives it has a decidedly worn
out and even ridiculous appearance. Lieut. A.
X Taylor of the nineteenth infantry has con-
tributed to The United Service lengthy chap
ter on Company Discipline" Lieut. Taylor
is one of the few military men Of this enlight-
ened age who oppose the National Guard and
advocate its encouragement He goes upon
the rather strange theory that the existence
of O volunteer force must inevitably result in
war. Fewer soldiers weuid give greater
that line of discussion be unassailable
why not wipe out the entire army
and make the condition of affairs permanently
pacific? There is good advice for the army
officer and the enlisted man i'll the introductory
portion of the chapter, but the remainder of
the effusion is q congiomeratiOn of contradic-
tions. In one place Lieut.. Taylor SAYS: The
expected and proper defenders OF our flag are
those 10 whom 1t means country and citizen
ship" Just how the lieutenant expects to find
citizens who will consent to enlist In the army
i'll time OF peace is something not easily under
stood: he expects too much for the money.
But the haunting fear which makes the lieu
tenant shiver is set forth in the remark, We
may well ask # 1t Is part of wisdom to qualify
men i'll the profession of arms and send them
into civil life. where their military training
may be utilized by INSCRIPTIONS leaders here
after"
Then he continues: civil and political
n~e,l L., Il.
We have today two dangerous elements at work
in our midst which sooner or later must be
met and each disposed of by the strong arm OF
| the government. A martial spirit introduced
among people is antagonistic to continu-
alton of peace. Make nation warike and
you will certainly have war, sooner or later on
your hands. Sow III this way a distaste for
the avocations OF peace and you will substitute
love for the camp and desire for military
achievement.
1T would seem shat the best interests of the
people would be enhanced by leaving almost
exclusively its military establishment in the
hands OF that conservative, disciplined body.
IT'S standing army, increasing its strength ar
the needs of the country from time to time
make prudent. and lessen the prominence in
peace OF the militia system of organization,
now receiving SO much encoura cement
throughout the country.
We can but regard it as opposed to sound
policy and prejudicial to discipline the allow
ing OF officers and men of the permanent es-
tab!shment to be associated at the yarlous an
nual encampments throughout the country
with the National Guard. Il the ideas of some
who seek to change the entire structure of our
army should prevail. the salutary operation of
certain present laws will be defeated and We
| shall be left without proper incentive to
either pride, ambition or fidelity The stand
| ing army created for the federal protection
should be a distinct body, with stability OF
Organization. trained and disciplined to eff
| cheney, and its methods its own property.
Under no circumstances should it be used
| as training school for the National Guard
| when not i'll the service of the United State.
nor brought into utilization or intimate associa-
| ton on so-called duty with the militia of the
respective states.
III, however, 1t is n wise policy that now
| seeks to educate and train the youth of this
country To bear arms and TO make the National
Guard OF the respective states a great military
power. we are OF the opinion that in peace times
the place TO educate and train officers for the
militia Is at West Point or at the Fort Lcaven-
worth school. TO be accomplished by q suitable
provision of law. and not i'll onr camps or gar
rlsons. IN our opinion the enlisted men of the
National Guard can be better perfected III mat
tcrS pertaining to the military service by such
officers, SO educated, than mixed up with our
soldiers Ill camps of joint discipline and in
slfuciion. III there are difficulties in the way
OF such am arrangement is ii not practicable
Tor the 10 officers belonging to the skeleton
companies OF the Infantry and cavalry arms to
be placed on duty with the Matte nal Guard of
tAc respective states as routine and disciplinary
Instructors. such service based on reorisitlon
or the governors OF the several states aud sane
toned by an act of Congress-?
with the highest respect and cordial good
Will each for the other whose life and aims are SO
Gis5mllIr, We think 1t seif-evident fact that
the troops better apat. in their trainiuo
and education"
Perhaps Leu:. Taylor viii take time some
day to tell ii waiting world wherein is the dis
sIniiarityof aims. The National Guard is pre-
PAIRING itself TO preserve order and to defend
the country. il such defense should ever be
necessary. What is the army program?
CAPT. PITCHER HAS 40 FEARS.
One army officer vino does not fear the re-
suits of training men Tor military service and
then turning them loose in the community is
Capt James f.. Pitcher, NJ. ID. In an article
on the desisability of physical traininS-The
building OF the soldier, he calls it-Capt. Pill
cher says:
When the superior physical training of one
of the parties 20 SO great Il contest IS the
Franco-rrussian war Is known to have been
the force that turned the tide OF victory in It's
favor. the United States cannot afford to reject
it. Since training the men TO physical vigor
will result in keeping from the pension rolls
names of those who would otherwise speedily
degenerate into depend hts upon The nations
bounty. practical economy Itself dictates IFS
udop: ion. Moreover. it VIII not only result
III "a vast increase in the efficiency OF the mill
tary service, but it will have broader i'll
iluence upon the entire commonwealth AS
the years pass by it will throw GU. into the
community upon their discharge from the
army. 4 class of men by their physical develop
ment and mental capacity qualified to be more
than ordinarily useful citiZens BY Its neces-
sary exteIls on 10 the large number OF military
schools it will encourage heaI;hfui tendencies
and manly inclinatioas in the youth of the
country Through its adoption by the Ma
tionaI Guard. always quick to absorb the bes,
features of the regular service, it will dissent
nate physical development and intellectual
activity throughout the young men OF the
nation. In every class Of society. in every
grade Of life. wherever health is understood
and length of life desired its influence Will be
felt and its effects appreciated
LIEUT. GRAHAM EXPLAINS HIS POSITION
Lieut.. F. l.. Graham who commands the
sharpsho oters' platoon of the engineer corps,
is not exactly pleased with the position in
which he finds himself on account of his de-
cIining to shoot gallery match with the third
battalion. He thinks the reference made to
tho matter in last Saturdays STAR is mislead-
ing, because all the facts were not given.
..It would appear from the article in ques-
ton" he writes, that declined Major Harri-
sons challenge Internationally. 1 have FREE
ouently announced, verbally that would not
,t,a,t . match in the raIlerv with any ta.r,