New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-08

EFFORTS TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY
OF OFFICERS AND MEN.

ADDITIONAL DRI.LS AND EXERCISES fhhs'finHD
FOR TROOPS IN THE riELD-GENERAL
BRooKE's COMPREHENSIVE ORDER
fey TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE]
Washington March 7.-Comma nding orcers IN
the Army. particularly department commune .
encours ged probably by the weii-Knowh i"'cies'
Of General Miles In such matters are giving uh-
usual attention TO field work calculated 10 Improve
the physical development Of the soldiers ana IN
60 the efficiency OF the officers Every few days
orders arrive AT the War Department from military
DEPARTMENTS containing comprehensive ana strict
orders prescribing additional drills ana exercises
for the troops IN the field. Within the iast SIX
months progress IN :he Army in this direction mas
been noticeable. 1t is quite probable that the TAX
Of a with Spain has resulted In greater %eai oh
the part Of commanding officers. oo'h 'hose III
Washington and at military stations
An order Of Brgadier-General Brooke. command
ing the Department OF Dakota Just received Illus
trates the character and extent OF the aodiuohai
duties which have been prescribed for the troops
Among other things General Brooke directs tnat
constant instruction and practice in military sirhh-
ling be maintained AT the several posts In his de-
par;ment until proficiency be attained, as indi-
Gated In general orders from headquarters OF the
Army. AS TO drills his order says that. with the
exception Of the target practice and signai season.
the drill period will embrace the entire year
Weather permitting. not less than one hour each
day Saturdays and Sundays excepted. IS TO be de-
voted outdoor instruction in the drin regulations
When the weather is too incement for these drills,
suitable military -cxerc!seA are 10 be held INDOORS
The order SAYS with some emphasis. that 1t is
Incumbent on post commanders TO assure them
selves that their officers and men are all thor
oughly trained in their respective arms. The In
struction at posts Is 10 begin with elementary
principles. and as proficiency Is attained In
the drills Of each character. The post commanders
TO to 1t that the provisions Of orders from
bx-l vfn1 ont and
also that suitable detachment Is drilled in the
manual Of machine guns and other artillery on
hand at their respective stations.
In the course OF the drill season the troops at
each pos; are 10 make practice march of not
less than 10 miles in distance. under the personal
direction Of the pos: commander. These mSches
are TO be so conducted as TO exemplify. so Var as
practicable. actual service conditions in
paign. Advantage is to be taken OF the oppor-
tically the efficiency OF the command in field work.
Reports on the result OF the marches. together
with a map OF the route traversed, are to be for
practicable.
In addition TO the foregoing General Brooke
directs every command equipped Cor the field to
devote at least forty days in each calendar year
problems adapted to ono or more arms OF the
service ana to the station tai and sGTroundns GCun
Is TO be forwarded to General Brooke. be pub
Iished IN general orders The order says this in
IAN officer at each post will be designated whose
uuty IL shaIi De TO superlntend the systematic
practice or the troops in calisthenic. athletic and
gymnastic exercises for thirty minutes a day three
times week, during nine months of the year. and
also 10 initiate and manage games and contests in
football baseball. quoits tennis golf and polo. for
which the utmost latitude and independence of
action consistent with the spirit of the Army regu-
lations will be accorded. Outdoor practice will
embrace either singly in concert. the passage Of
bitches. fences walls houses and other obstacles
running. wrestling. bicycle-ridng. throwing the
hammer. putting the shot. rowing. swimming
skating. snowshoeing and the like. according 10
season and facilities When incem weather
"
brace boxing. fencing. vaultng swinging clubs
punching the bag. jumping. either for distance
height. with or without pole or spring board and
the use OF dumbbells parallel and horizontal
bars. swinging rings. the trapeze the ladder and
IN fact. practice with any of the numerous and
simple devices that be used indoors for de-
veioping health. strength. endurance and vigor"