Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-24

- vision or the soldier
| drill book
Although the importance of such an ap-
| pointment on the part of the Secretary
| has not begun to be appreciated in the
states, 1t appears that some strong efforts
are being made by several militia officers
haying influence in the department to
bring about such an unusual move. The
matter is becoming the subject of debate
between army officers and prominent MEM
hers of the National Guard, and it Is I'M
necessary to say that 1t will be discussed
throughout the whole country as soon as
anything definite Issues from the Secre-
tary's Office.
1t seems to be expected rather than fear
cd by the militiamen that the regular army
officers who have been or will be called
upon to consult with Col. Lamont on this
subject will advise adversely. Where they
place their highest hopes, however, is on
the fact that Lamont himself was close
ly allied with the militia when he was
military secretary to Cleveland during the
latter's administration as governor of New
York, and. in consequence. well under
stands ard appreciates the character and
needs of the militia.
The writer learns from good authority
that certain National Guard officers We're
recently called for consultation with the
Secretary upon this subject, and that SOW
eral recommendations have been made for
delegates from their ranks. This report,
of course points to the Secretarys hav-
ing at least considered the matter, which
the National Guard people look upon as q
great gain OF ground.
Some of the Officers Mentioned.
One of these said to have been recon-
mended for this place Is Col. Tom Edmonds
of Boston. who is in command Of the Mas
sachusetts Corps of Cadets. the body
guard of the governor. Col Edmonds Is a
veteran. and is regarded as an expert tao
tician. 1t Is thought, however, that a Sc
rious objection to his appointment would
be founded upon his hostility to UptoI's
"fours system" which he fought bitterly
during the whole of Upton's service on the
tactical board.
Representative Bartlett of the seventh
New York district, who ~ major of the
thirty-second regiment National Guard Of
New York, Is also SAID to have been rec
commended to the Secretary, and Is thought
to have fair ehance<6f appointment, If
any Is made, since a. delegate from the
empire state would fAtrecent greater
other section. e &.@sF'
may be mentioned is that o. Col Bosby-
Even in the evess favorable dsci..
sion by Col. Lamont. n has bosn suggest
Su tHdl 10 Hkely 10 De great diff
Guilty in finding a militia officer who will
serve for the reason that no provision Is
made in regard to the salary for such a
duty, special sacticn-by Congress being
necessary before it csAn be fixed. The regu-
lar army officers detailed for this work
continue on the rolls with their usual IN
comes, but according to the present state
OF affairs, militia officer would be re-
quired to work for love alone unless his
state should provide remuneration
the last board was engaged two years
and a half In completing the book of 1891
and the next will probably be at work even
whole extended order system, comprising
altogether ever one-half of the book, will
have to be changed.
battlefield EvoIutions,
This alteration Of the extended order or
skirinish drill, which is really the fight.
ing system, is necessary on account of the
long range Of the new army rifle. which
will demand various changes in the posi-
lions or assault, and the" other technicali-
ties preparatory to forming a battle align
ment. The other changes are expected to
entirely reconstruct the regulations for
bringing troops into actual battle line. and
for the substitution of reserves as cas-
ualtles occur. According to the present
tacucS the company Is divided into Sec
tions and squads, on forming front, the
former in the command of sergeants and
the latter of corporals This necessitat es
considerable confusion at such a critical
moment, and 1t is desired to bring the cap
tain and his lieutenants in more direct
control of their men. -.-
AS an army officer of considerable rank
expressed it TO the writer one of the
objections-to the National Guards entering
the board will be based upon the COM
plant so often made, that the militia paws
too much attention to the handling of the
gun and to the foot movements prescribed
In the school of the regiment, ignoring for
the most part the practical evolutions for
the battlefield. A staff officer on DUTY in
the department lately referred to this in
publication suggesting that in each state
q specified time in the year be given for
drills In these broader lines.
Several of the better regulated. state
militias are now drilled in the skirmish
movements and the militia's friends ar
que that officers from these states, at
least. are perfectly qualified to improve
this part of the drill book. They further
say that since this Is all strictly fighting
science 1t will affect both branches Of the
military alike, at the time of actual bat.
tie and therefore both should not only
abide by 1t, but have a. hand in its maxi
ing; more so than any Other part. Further
they say, recognition of their organiza-
ton in the board would stimulate the am
bition OF nlilftiamen in the higher ranks
with the unavoidable effect that all, por-
lions OF the drill bo>ks would be taught
alike TO the men. -
Precedeht Found.
The National Guard advocates have late
ly found precedent for sheh an appoint
ment, after searching through our MILL
tary history. 1t appears that in 1925 Sec
rotary Of War Barbour addressed circular
letters to the governors sf all the states
and to many prominent citizens as a re-
suit Of which he aflsrward convened q
board. composed am0hg Others Of Gen.
Winfield Scott. chairfhanE and Zachary
Taylor, then an artillery officer, the mill
tia being represented by three of its gen.
erals Cadwallader ofiPennsylvania, Sum-
ner of Massachusetts, land Daniel Of North
Carolina. In 1920 these officers, acting with
the others on the board, compiled system
Of infantry tactics to be- used by the army
and militia alike, 10000 copies Of which
were published and distributed. It may
be held. however, by the regular army
contingent that in those days the militia
differed materially from the present Ma
tional Guard. being a compulsory rather
than a voluntary service.
But the other side would answer this
by again appealing to history, which
shows that the old compulsory militia was
q failure, and that the volunteers were
the only militiamen who have ever rem
dered valuable service to the country in
the time Of war Therefore they ask why
they should not have recognition as well
as their predecessors.
ba In