Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-07-20
THE AMERICAN AS A FIGHTER.

| IHE AWChlOdN 40 ElUH Ehs
The foreign military attaches who
we're sent to Cuba to observe the pro-
gress of the war have learned some
thing from the fighting around San
tiago, and that something has been
important.
For years the efficiency of the var
ious armies of the world has been an
interesting subject of discussion among
the military classes. The true Amer
ican has always believed in himself.
In Europe, however, the concensus of
opinion seemed to be that the military
systems of Germany and France made
the armies of those nations most effect
i've. Some, of course, were disposed
to put the English soldier in the first
place; but generally he was ranked
third or fourth. AS for the American,
all critics were disposed to look upon
him as not even entering into the
comparison.
The common basis of criticism was
that discipline and constant training
which makes of the soldier a machine
was necessary. 1t was confidently be-
lieved in Europe that all depended on
the officers, and where soldiers would
move at the word of command, the
officers would be invincible. In all
Europe there were few who believed
that any other element could enter
into the problem.
So far as the regular army of Amer
ca was concerned, it was generally
accorded proper respect. 1t was
known to be well-drilled, well-equip.
ped and disciplined to ideal machine
like maneuvers. The principal OBJ
jections to it was the fact that it was
too small to amount to anything in op-
position to the vast European armies.
And the American volunteer could
never amount to anything. Without
that discipline which made him only q
machine-a tool-in the hands of his
officers, how could he be expected to
stand up and fight properly trained
army?
So the fighting down at Santiago
was revelation. The Spanish army
was composed of seasoned soldiers,
we'll disciplined, and according to Eu-
ropeans standards, brave. More than
this, it occupied an entrenched posi-
ton, and reports to the contrary not
withstanding, the firing lines had an
abundance of ammunition and provis-
ions. Under such conditions, accord
ing to the accepted military rules, the
Americans should not have attacked
the Spaniards until they outnumbered
the enemy at least three to one.
But the result was remarkable. The
foreign military observers were as
founded. The American officers had
directed operations up to the beginning
of the attack. Until the men were in
position they were machines but upon
the commencement Of the fighting they
became men. The officers had but
little more to do with the matter.
They were as brave as the privates
but no braver. That would have been
impossible. 1t was advance, stop, lie
down, retreat few yards, 60 forward,
just as cool individual judgment SEEM
ed to dictate. But underneath it all
was a determination to conquer or
die, and, of course, they conquered.
But still we doubt whether the for
eign military attaches know the reason
of all this or whether they will ever
know. However, in our opinion, it
is all as plain as day.
In Europe the common citizen is not
as good as the higher classes the
classes from which officers come. He
is little better than slave. The OBJ
iect of his existence-the reason of
his existence-is to contribute to the
pleasure, comfort and pride of the
upper classes. The idea of freedom,
liberty, independent manhood is some
thing that he can only desire; but not