The record-union., 1898-10-24
WILL PROFIT BY EXPERIENCE.

This much is positive-that out of
experience this nation has absorbed
wisdom in the matter of organizing
volunteer army. When the need arises
to mobilize an army Of citizen soldiery
again, we will not appoint over it, in
company or regimental form, men not
trained and qualified in the fullest
sense to care for their men in every de-
tail or sanitation and health.
Beyond all question it is now settled
that while the mortality in our volun-
teer army has not been excessive not
approaching indeed, that Of the army
in the Franco German war, or the
forces in the war Of the rebellion, yet
It would have been much less and suf-
fering in sickness minimized, had it
been possible to enforce health regu-
lations in the company and regimental
commands. It has been impossible to
do so, because the men in so large a
number Of cases have refused to comply
with the regulations as to their ply
steal well-being, and their officers,
without experience in camp, largely
chosen from civilian ranks, have not
themselves known how to handle their
men, or to provide for them, or to en-
force regulations for health, camp SAN
itation, etc.
When we call another army together
we apprehend that it will be done by
placing small bodies Of recruits and
National Guardsmen with bodies equal
in size from the regular army and with
a high percentage Of officers in every
company chosen from among those who
have had military education and exper-
fence in the army. There will be fewer
appointments from professional and po-
htical walks to commanding positions
in companies and regiments. We will
have men in command Of the smallest
bodies OF troops who know the value Of
sanitary regulations, and who will en-
force them rigidly.
The testimony Of General Shafter on
this point Is conclusive, and it is sus-
tanned by the expression of every reg
ular army officer who has voiced his
sentiments upon the subject. It has
been apparent even to civilians who
have witnessed the conduct Of the vol
unteers in camp and barracks every
where. The independence Of the vol
: unteer-the close social relations be-
tween him and his officers, selected
mainly by himself when in State serv-
- off
enforce sanitary discipline. and largely
their ignorance Of the value Of such
measures-these things have, we re-
peat, been witnessed by civilians gen.
orally.
But the experience Of the late war
will be of inestimable value TO the
citizen soldiery Of the country. The
men now know that they and their off,
GERS have been in fault. Their officers
now fully appreciate their own short
comings and their inefficiency, in large
part, due to lack OF instruction and
training, under the State system. We
apprehend, therefore, that into the
militia systems of the several States
class system of sanitary instruction,
followed by better and more frequent
training In camp duties, and in con-
servation of health conditions in bodies
of troops, that will prove of the high
est values to the National Guard.
There has been something approach
ing such instruction and training in
the past, it is true. but it has been
fugitive and not thorough. and there
has not been impressed upon the men
or the officers with needful emphasis,
the great truth that the preservation
of the health of command is as fine
an art as is the right handling of the
men In battle. We believe that there
win be a change in all this, and that
the result Of the experience of 1898 will
be far higher state of efficiency In
+ha National Guard