The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-22
SEATTLE. SUNDAY, DEC. &c.
MILITARY TDUCATIoN FOR THE
MASSES.

.h. Journal OF me Military Service lnsIe3N
zion. entitled Military Education for the
Masses" Il is a study Of our present mill
.ary system, with the outlines OF Pr
which the anne can be altered and ENLARGED
and economical and Efficient means fur
nished for providing The people with mill
tar-y nogledge ouch as VIII be required
and most urgently needed on the first oc-
csslon Of national defense
Gen Iautz felt justified in assuming tnas
the people a. whole recognized the need
OF A military education IN this country. but
BY that he does not mean great standing
army O, the European elaboration OF drill
and its endless repetition. which is such a
great waste OF energy and time. The con-
dltlons in this country are totally different
from wha. they are in Europe. where there
Is constant expectation and preparation for
war. We require 70 standing army. but
only that minimum preparation for war
that will serve 10 maintain our dignity as
nation and enable US TO meet any reason
able emergency.
Gen naa.I believed tia. the first ana
greatest want to be fell in the United States
In case of war would be the necessity Of
competent officers to enable US TO utilize
our vast military resources. The growth
OF the country has been such that West
Point barely supplies the officers now re
CURED In our regular army. How essential
educated soldiers would be in event OF
trouble as leaders. Instructors and drill
masters can be easily appreciated by recall
ing the number OF lives that were sacrificed
90 ignorance and inexperience during the
early years OF the rebellion. Today we
woul5 practically be as unprepared for war
as Va wee thirty-fve years ago. and would
probably pay very dearly because Of that
lack Of preparation. ~
The plan proposed for meeting the present
demands is TO require that the United
States army be made available for tho dis
nemination OF military knowledge through
out the republic. Three or five-year enlist
mcnts should is made pro rata according
20 population. he age limit being from IS
20 p years. Every military post should %
a military school In time OF peace. ana If IL
were made a prime necessity to attract the
right class OF young men. Gen. Kautz be-
lIeved that the ambitious and patriotic
youth OF the country would seek enlistment
IN such numbers as to eventually requlce
competitive examinations 10 determine who
should se accepted. The term OF enlistment
Is made 40 longer than Is necessary TO
teach the youth his duties. to fit him u
act as an Instructor himself and also 10
furnish tho greatest number OF men for tbs
purpose.
With an army 25.oo0 strong ana FIVE
year enlistments. We could send out afteen
competent soldiers 20 each congressional
district each year They would be pos
sessed or the most recent military methods
and have n uniform knowIedga OF the caro-
and management o. troops. With the sup
ply beirg constantly replerished. there
would soon be an ample number OF men 10
act as instructors fer the militia in time OF
peace and also enough TO act as officers 70
al tho volunteers ~ho would probably be
ca.icf from any congressional district in
case >. war. The conversion OF tho army
into AZ educational institution would ele-
vate the service * 3 high degree OF resDcFt-
shiiity. wopld ctres Inducements 10 the
sons OF respect thle ana substantial citizens
srd add greatly 70 the peoples knowle9ce
OF The service Within five years sitter ne
syE,em vas fairly under way Gen. Kaatz
believed sufficient number or Instructors
would Se provided 10 moblibze Al army or
half mi'lioa OF men that would be better
prepared for an aggressive war In thirty
eays than our troops were az ;ho end Of the
fret year 81 the ciyn war IS
with ;hfs new scheme r,,t into practice Il
Is believed the army woulg have The good
viii OF all the people OF the United STATES.
Ni;h their sons n the scrvs,e. coming home
after 4 short hlt useful experience, parents
would net fail 70 be impressed With a svs-
ten whlch furaishes educated defenders OF
she country es well rs practical and weIl I'm
formed ciua .aa- W one would come back
smpty-hande0. Everything ;Ae soldier
needs IS supplied 20 him. and y the young
recruit was attentive % Nss work he c,tilA
return home WITH $50 20 $500. muoh more
-haa the majority ~ yoaoe men have when
they start cus IN llfe 80 Win fortune
Moreover. he voul3 have heal.A. ene-rv
and method IN his WAYS. which ta thern-
selves constitute capital not 70 b est
mated az a loN figure.
The army t1jAy IS not attractive 10 TIE
recruit The regular soldier taes not rank
sufficiently hlEa IN ths social scale 10 tenn,
ambitious young rnea 20 initiate hts exam
pie. But oy making the army az efuca-
sionsl institution & would s.. oz9,e Aeob1,e
em,neotly res~re.ah3c ana l..:le SOUGHT =
the objectionable class. The change wor,,l
satisfy a Nh, lo.S felt ty the very class f.
would II desirable - have tn tse army
Every teacher - ire 7aelge SCHOOLS @ IRE
country VII testify TIA; .here are many
bows whose ambitions 50 a. exceed tAei-
financial cor Sen tsat ;hty woul1 aoceg;
wi'h avi1..y re opportunity wA!ch wo,l,f
give them Sc or ne-e Ter month. t,oa.
clothing ard metleH Attendance. whlls ~
ceivins an edo -stion whsca would not onlv
ueafsy eaes e then 70 fake a resps-fsNl .
s-ar3 N tie ccasuaai-y. oat might ia tse
ev<as ot wa~ f4rnssa tsa opportunity Tor
the AsEaes. distinction.
Gen Eaa,z Believed graf r. case - war
to Uaite4 safes wol'3 have % depend
u9ca SIS young nstn. ae3 while Cur ssola-
ton from he great military nations ct me
world relieves Is from tie necessity q
maintaining 44rss army, Il aee4 aQt .4&sgy