New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-17
4 LESSON FOR TIE NATIONAL Guard

The National Guard Of this country Inns been
put TO the test The trial has been rigorous. but
lust: the standards have been high. hut fair.
and the Guard has no ground OF complaint for
the ordeal OF IT'S own election. The powerful
influence Of the organization has always been
used 10 prevent nm increase OF the Regular Army
Of this country 10 n size fitted 10 meet m cmcr.
gency. the argument being that In the National
Guard the country had n citizen soldlcry trained
and efficient and equal To the country's military
needs. The present war has tested the question
how far the Guard possessed qualifications
claimed for It, and the results should AFFORD
lesson to the organization OF how best 10 fulfil
its double role OF State and National soldlery.
1t would be useless and impairment To com
pare the efficiency OF the National Guard with
the Regular Army. Not even the Guards most
enthusiastic friends would maintain that It's
members were equal In military efficiency with
the men whose business Is fighting. The jack
of-all-tradcs. II master Of any OF them. IS not
the rival OF the specialist All that the Guard
pl etended 70 be able to do was TO put into the
field on short notice an army Of drilled and
trained men, who could be easily prepared for
active campaigning. Just how far they have
succeeded In this II Is, of course, pertinent to
inquire. Not n word OF criticism Is TO be said
regarding the way in which the Guardsmcn
responded TO the call Of duty. Throughout tho
country In general the response prompt
and patriotic. The little haggllng over the
terms under which they were TO enter into
Federal service was TO be expected, and need
not now he considered. The question merely
Is, How largely are the regiments now being
mustered into service composed Of drilled sol
dery and how largely Of raw recruits? or
course 1t was to be expected that a consider
able percentage OF the Guardsmen entering ser
vice for the lighter home duties for which they
are generally called upon would find the calls Of
business or Of family too pressing to allow
them long absence on foreign campaign. All
honor to those who yielded TO the imperative
necessity OF remaining at home. They arc as
brave rs true and as loyal as those who
marched TO the front. But their absence hns
made unavoidable gaps in the regiments. and
these gaps, unfortunately are not the only ones
that have to be filled by raw recruits.
The surgeons examination IL making greater
havoc In the ranks Of the National Guardsmcn
than the recognition Of all Of the many duties
which keep men home. The case Of the 10Th
Regiment is In point. Surgeon Major Maus,
who conducted the examination of that regi-
ment In camp at Peekskill, Is quoted as saying
that Of 1900 men examined only 800 were
accepted. 1t Is said that when the regiment
goes to the front II will not have more than
One-Quarter or onc-third Of It's old drilled men.
The rest Of the men will be the material for
several gigantic awkward squads. OF the ex-
perienced Guardsmen In the 18th there will
be only about enough to ''lick" the new recruits
into shape. ms Mulvaney says, with blarney
and the buckle end OF n belt" The 18th Is
probably an extreme case. but in all the regi-
ments the number weeded out by the medical
examiners Is reported to be large The sur
geon-majors are doubtless doing their work with
1eat strictness but the Government Is un-
doubtedly right In demanding the strongest and
soundest men to do It's fighting. Where men
ore to be exposed to the rigors Of military life
and the insalubrty Of tropical climate, the
sound constitution the perfect physique must
be relied upon to keep down the hospital list.
It is wise economy Of human life the rcjec-
ton at the outset Of those less fitted for the
character Of service likely to be demanded Of
the men. Still, though the surgeon-lnaJOrs re-
duce the ranks Of the Guard more than sickness
or Spanish bullets ever will. there will remain
enough trained soldiers to leaven the whole
mass. to assist In breaking In the raw recruits,
to spread the contaglon Of esprit du corps, to
instil loyalty to the officers and pride in the
regiment
1t will be seen. however. that the National
Guard has q more serious problem before 1t