The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-11-08
WANTS sCHooLBoYs DRILLED.
General Schofield Thinks America Should
Prepare for War.

Chicago, Nov. 7.-Lieutenant Cen
eraI John NJ. Schofeld, retired, accom-
panied by Mrs. Schofield, returned from
"a visit to old acquaintance made dur
ing the war while the general was sta
toned at St Louis. General Schofield
and his wife will live at the Auditori-
UNI Annex during the winter while in
the city. The general says Chicago will
be his home. He looks refreshed by his
trip and the rest he has secured since
his retirement, and displays some ur-
bane spirit that made him so popular
in this city during the years he was in
command of the department Of the Mis-
souri,.
General Schofield is an earnest advo-
cate of the plan of introducing a course
of elementary military tactics in the
public schools of the country. He urg-
ed this in connection with the public
schools Of Chicago when stationed in
Chicago. but at that time it was an I'M
tried experiment, and the hoard was
slow in taking hold of it. At present he
points with pride to the successful oper-
alton of the scheme in Boston and 9TH
er cities. and says that he anticipates
seeing the time when il will be in prac-
tice in all the big cities of the land.
Il am decidedly in favor of the sys-
tenn of military instruction in our public
schools" said he yesterday. Il think
the military education of an elementary
character should be made as nearly uni
versal as possible. and all our public
schools should have a course of inStruc-
ton in military tactics and the arts of
war for the pupils, for while the stu
dent is young the mind is more suscep-
tfble and the Impressions are lasting.
Such a training in the public
schools given to. the students who do
not expect to follow the military pro
fession is beneficial II will make them
prompt and accurate. and in the event
of war all good citizens want 10 be pre-
pared 10 so TO the aid of their country.
1t VIII be Of great assistance and ad-
vantage to those entering the military
profession. There is no better prepar-
alton for war by a country that does
not maintain a large standing army
and this system IS much more in accord
with the principles Of our Republican in
Stitutions than a great military estab-
lishment such as those maintained by
the European nations.
Military courses have been made a
part OF the curriculum OF large num-
Der OF colleges, which Is all very we'll
but that is not enough We want the
mechanic, the artisan. the farmer. the
laboreT, and those who do not seek a
higher education. TO know and be drill
ed IN the eleTnen tsry tactics. The most
important reason for putting a system
OF military instruction in the public
schools IS that in a nation 50 blessed in
the assurance ~ a long continued period
OF peace as this one IS. we are apt to
lose sight Of the fact that war might
come. and become effeminate. We
should bear in mind that We may have
10 night 20 the death FOR our country. 70
defend Il against = foreign foe, and we
ought always 10 BE- prepared for It
In speaking Of his selection OF Chi
c9go as his home, General Sc'iofleld
said that ne had never changed his legal
residence from Freerors since he enter
ed the army. forty-six years ago. chi
caSo VIII be my home when I am not
travelling" continued the general u
was stationed here in the SOS ana met
many warm friends. have always Xix
ed Chicago and as II is better adapted
10 my habits than F-eeport. VIII make
this my home. although expect 10 tzav-
el q good deal