New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-08
LAXITI IN AMERICAN MILITIA
UNITED STATES OFFICERS ABROAD
RoUNDLY CRITICIsE UNCLE SAM.
SUPERIOR ADVANTAGES OBJ THE ENGLISH
MANoEUvREs-THE STATE CAMP SYSTEM OF
LITTLE PRACTICAL vALUE-SCHEME

MANOEUvREs-THE STATE CAMP SYSTEM OF
LITTLE PRACTICAL vALUE-sCHEME
FOR NATIONAL EvoIrTIONs
London, Sept. THE American army officers
who have been abroad on leave this summer study
ing European military aystems at their own ex-
pense have had Their eyes opened very wide indeed
to the shortcomings OF the American service. Sew
eral OF the officers are among the best equipped
young soldiers In the infantry army, who have
seen duty In the West and have taken advantage
OF all opportunities to study scientific warfare
They came across the ocean with fair Idea o,
American military weakness and a commendaole
readiness to learn much from the armed powers
on this side. but they have been asiounded TO
learn even In England, where the military Is not
so continually In evidence as on the Continent
that responsible American officials arc deplorao.y
delinquent In the matter OF making fair use OF the
power vested in them.
No who looks below the surface or military
affairs in England avoid being struck by the
fact that she depends not much for protection
on the regular troops as upon the excellent FAR
reaching provisions In force for rapidly modifying
well drilled and experienced volunteers. as well as
the opportunities afforded general officers for
learning how 10 command troops These two IN
valuable desderata secured simultaneously by
the military manoeuvres.
one OF the brightest young leutenants frankly told
Ambassador Bayard a day or two ago that not
had other than theoretical knowledge Of the prob
lens involved in commanding a force OF 10000 men
operating under modern conditions and possibly
confronted by army OF equal size ho-ding
more favorable position. This officer had just wit
messed the New Forest manoeuvres, which were
undertaken by two corps. each equal In size and
armament to entire standing army OF the United
States This officer dep.oring the fact that the
United States did not send few coonels OF high
rfr
mer TO study the methods by which great masses
OF troops are manoeuvred by officers prepared TO
fight at a weeks notice American military at
taches send home reports these mobilizatons,
which TO speak generously at best Infinitely less
instructive than required for practice. and these re-
ports are difficult OF access. even 10 those FOR
whose perusal they are written that the popular
newspaper reports usually more useful even TO
those who technically interested. Moreover The
subjects OF the reports are too comprehensive Tor
the average American military attache in Europe
grasp for experience has shown that the reports
received by the Military Information Division at
Washington are not useful In marked degree.
American officers. seeing the manoeuvres
over here. become enthusiastic adherents OF Gen.
eral Sckless proposition to provide a field In the
United States where similar evolutions may be
held. At Aldershot It was notable that the volun-
teers numbering with the permanent camp OF
regulars there fully 5000 men. were immensely
benefited by the two weeks stay. This camp is
wholly superior. both in theory and practice. TO
the various State encampments OF the National
Guard as II brings detachments OF volunteers to-
gether from all portions OF the United Kingdom.
with the result OF harmonizng provincial differ
ences The advantages OF such an arrangement
In the United States, where few regiments OF
Infantry cavalry and artillery from the regulars
could be assembled in camp annually with few
National Guard ORGANIZATIONS. for instance. from
Massachusetts, NewYork. Ohio. Illinois. Maryland
and other States one year, and other militia
battalions In succeeding years could be relied
upon prove o. inestmasle benefit. This L. the
opinion OF all the American experts who have
witnessed the plan in operation at Aldershot and
elsewhere.
Volunteers here are. as a rule. much younger
men than the members Of the American National
Guard. and the Impressions they take away from
these general encampments encourage Improve
ment In all the organizations OF their various dis.
tricts before they have the advantage Of general
manoeuvres At Ahershot II was noticed that the
regulars appeared TO be smarter in dress and ap-
pearance than American soldiers. and that the
manual and drills were performed with a snap
that Is conspicuous by absence In the United
States. Much OF this is attributed to the 'swaggeI
stick, which. while not necessary to the men, all
OF whom carry them. imparts a distinction and
carriage 10 the soldiers when on duty. Manual
and recruit drill 10 much more complicated than
In America