The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-05-15

paign in the war between the United
States and Spain There are many
problems of attack and defense that
the military theorists are particularly
DESTROYS of seeing practically solved.
There is much clashing of opinions as
10 the most effective method Of attack
Eng a modern army, for military tactics
have SO changed that old rules are of
little use in guiding the strategists.
Success" is the dominating charac-
teristic of the deliberate attacks in
German and French maneuvers. To
attack seems synonymous with success.
and the general who ventures to adopt
a defensive role would be considered
SLOW enough to be out Of the running.
'"Redan Windham" used to say There
was nothing so unlike real battle as
u sham one. and Notwithstanding the
vast improvements OF recent years the
sarcasm is still true. We are govern
cd by other considerations than realism
in Inaneuvers in this country, where
situations are less unreal than else
where. The tendency everywhere is to
give an impression in favor of the tao
tically offensive. Ny pet plan is TO
bring the artillery and infantry arms
in closer cooperation, so that when
the attack is launched each will oc-
cupy its proper position, for it is diff
cult to subsequently c3rrect faulty dis
positions
1t will be worth while for the military
men who are to battle with Spain on
behalf of the United States to study
the lessons learned in modern wars.
h.
GraVelotte, VII Ell the artillery was NOV
ed too far ahead, with the result that
the Ninth corps got a terrible mauling;
or the error at Woerth, when the ar
5illery brought on an action that was
not intended.
Another mistake to be guarded
against in the pitched battle that
seems approaching in Cuba is depIoy-
ment Of lonS line of guns that might
afford opportunity for cavalry enter
prise on the part of the enemy. AS
Stunning battle in which horse artil-
lery and cavalry are drawn off to the
Hanks. and putting fianking m svements
cut OF the question, let us consider the
frontal attack. While artillery are en-
gagged there is ample time to carefully
organize the infantry advance, and
forethougqlt must then be largely ex-
ercised even as far down in the HER
archy of command as battalion leader s.
Keep Moving Forward.
There will be little galloping about of
staff officers, and there ought to be lit
tie of personal command on the part of
seniors. The sternest resolution must
be concentrated in the iron rule go
on" from the moment the first skir-
misher starts. Even with an avowed
inferiority of artillery it will usually be
BEST to continue the onward march,
so as to draw off the enemys artillery
from ones own guns and divide their
attention while ones own batteries re-
FIT. Infantry should keep on forging,
ahead and refrain from firing, for the
absence of range knowledge and dis
cpiine make it of little value. They
enter on the fire fight at a dsadvan-
tage, the enemy having only one line
in view. with the reserves under cover.
while the attacking infantry have sew
ecaI lines liable to catch stray bullets.
10 halt and fire standing up presents
n vulnerable target with small fire ac-
curacy on ones own part: to lie down
makes it difficult tc get up again. While
formerly the fear of death had to he
overcome to enable man to close in
general combat with his foe, discipline
has now to exert all it's resources to
carry him to a place where he can ef-
fectually shoot and where he is still a.
long way from closing with his enemy.
Until that vantage ground has been