The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-11

MILITARY DRILL IN SCHOOLS.
As the public becomes better educated
to the real nature OF military drill as
prospective department OF our public
schools good deal OF the glamor that
surrounds the name melts away.
The American Humanitarian League has
Just issued an instructive little pamphlet
| on the subject, citing several eminent
authorities to illustrate that military drill
for young people is not only not desira-
| bic from the point OF view OF the hu-
manitarian but is not efficient as health
making exercise. Not only are minis
ters OF the gospel and educators massing
| TO defeat the proposition whenever 1t is
made but doctors and teachers of physi-
cal training are also pronounced against
it.
There is now in the Senate o. the United
bureau OF military education, the purpose
OF which shall be. to assist and promote
military education in the school in those
communities that introduce 1t into their
school systems. In the City Council is
bill seeking the introduction OF military
drill IN the public schools of Providence,
which we believe the school committee
has recommended.
The arguments for the support OF these
and similar measures will not stand
when the public is informed as to the ex-
,ellent reasons against them. While
some people may not be disposed to treat
with sufficient seriousness the objections
that ere.made on the ground that mill
tary drill teaches the spirit of var and
that better patriots are made by a train
ing that tends to peaceful and nom oelli-
gerent natures, no one can fail to listen
to the demonstrations that the military
training of boys in their teens is not
only not the best exercise OF the body,
but is not even good exercise and may
even prove injurious.
DIR. Sargent, Harvard's director OF phys
ical training has declared that as a phys
ical exercise military training does not
to any extent meet the physiological de-
mands OF the body. 1t does not increase
the respiration and quicken the circula-
tion to sufficient extent TO secure the
constitutional'be benefits that should accrue
from exercise. az dislike" he adds, "to
attributes that has commended it to
parents and teachers, but unless i have
been misled In my observations, there is
nothing In the drill itself that tends to
make one erect or graceful. On the other
hand, am prepared to maintain that it
tends to make him.etiff and angular In
his movements, as well as to droop and
round his shoulders. After taking the
most favorable view possible of military
drill as physical exercise, we are led to
conclude that its constrained positions,
and closely localized movements do rot
afford the essential requisites for develop
ing the muscles, and improving the res
pirauon and circulation, and thereby
improving the general health and condi-
tion OF the system. We must further con-
clude that in case of any malformation,
local weakness or constitutional debility,
the drill tends, by its strain upon the
nerves and prolonged tension on the mus
cles, 20 increase the defects rather than
to relieve them"
There is abundant testimony in support
OF DIR. SARoENr's position and its cor
rectness.is recognized clearly by military
men who know that the gymnasium and
the ''setting up" exercises give the sol
dier w hat is understood as his soldierly
appearance, and indeed, fit him for car
rying arms and for parade. This is univer-
sally recognized by the great military ma
tions Of Europe, and measures are taken
to give all the recruits from three to
twelve months gymnastic training to de-
velop them as men, before they are ex-
pected 10 conform to the requirements of
the soldier.
There is nothing In moral, mental or
physical advantage to be said In favor OF
military drill for the boys and young men
of our grammar and high schools.
THE shipment OF a few American news