The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-02-22
Herald
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY %, 1894.
OUR HOWE GUARDS.

the condition OF the militia force OF the
country shows that, based OH an esti
mate of one.eighth of its total popula-
tion, the United States could throw
into the field ia time of war a larger
army than could be raised by any
ether civilized country in the world.
The statement that there were at the
end Of last year S,283, 997 able.bodied
men in the country available for mill
tsry service is doubtless true as
matter of figures, but the value of hat
vast body Of men AS soldiers does no
enter into the computation. That is
the weak spot in the American system
az compared with the methods pur
sued by European govern ments. Ger
many, with population of $4,000 600,
has over 3 100000 men enrolled in its
active army aud various reserves, all
possessed Of knowledge of military
tactics to a greater or less degree.
France, with population of 38,OOO,-
QlO, has 100000 who have some
miliISry training.
That the U5i.ed States should
attempt to orgau,z. force capable of
Immediate mobilization for field
service in ally way equall.ng those Of
Germany and France, which amount
respectively to $40, 600 and l, l25 900, no
one would seriously propose. There is
much however, that could be done in
the United States TO render its reserve
force more valuable in case of need,
without entailing any improper bur
dens in the way either Of taxation or
service on the people. The problem
presented to us is how to become Il
people of military knowledge prepared
for emergenc les, without being a
Nation in arms. The most obvious
solution of the question is to begin
with the children and give them at a
receptive age such military drills as
willenable them to become, if need ,
good soldiers in later life. This plan
has been on trial for several years in
the public schools of Boston, with ad.
mirable results. The Grand Army has
taken up the subject and eX President
Harrison has commended military in
struction in schools. Plans for extend.
ing such teaching have been brought
to the attention Of the War Depart
ment by Captain E. l.. Zalinski, and
there is a growing sentiment in favor
of having all American boys learn
that they have country TO defend
and how to be able to defend it.
This training should be provided
for by the National and State govern.
ments, and might well be made tC
include all boys in the pubic schools
not physically disqualified. Boys
learn the manual Of arms readily anC
delight in the drill. Their physical
condition is improved by the exercise
and habits of obedience and self-deuia
are inculcsted and made permanent
which are not only advantageous il
their effect on the school deportmeE
Of the pupils, but are also of grea
benefit in after life. Whatever tim,
is taken from other studies is fully
made up for by the increased vitality
and the better application TO book
induced by the drill. The boys grow
up with knowledge and physiqu
which make them the better citizen
aud If need be the better soldiers. Tn,
organized army of the United States
including the militia, is insignificant
and it is upon the growing boys VIII
are to spend their lives in civil pur
suits that the country will have (
depend If ever there is call to arms
The veterans of the Civil War VIII
have had military experience are fas
dying and almost ali Of them hsv
passed beyond the age of doing service
These boys mast bear the brunt of ia
BS~t conflict, and not only for thei