The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-12
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Is Our Army Degenerate !?

Col. Alexander S. Bacon in the March Forum
Before finally answering the question "Is
our army degenerate?" let me give further
Illustration. The great cathedrals of Europe
were centuries in building. Generations Of
n.aster-masons chiseled the stones faultless-
ly. fathers teaching their sons. But when a
new cathedral was projected, no stonemason
even though he had excelled at his art for
fifty years, was selected to draw the plans
an architect was chosen who had spent his
time in school studying theories. So in war
experience in subaltern positions does not fit
an officer for Independent command He is
but a stonemason, not an architect; and
architects in war must have wide learning in
science, literature and art. If Sstonemason
becomes an architect, 1t is in spite of his
trade. Eot by reason of it.
What was the trouble in the Spanish war?
Its leaders were stonema stons some of them
of long service; but they were not educated
architects After the. Civil war the most
active and ambitious officers returned to civil
life and won fresh 'laurels. Others. IL they
had sufficient political influence, received
commissions in the regular service; and for
thirty three years they drew their pay and
breathed. and gained rank by merely living,
until. In 1898, they were at the heads of
armies and departments. Had the Spanish
war become serious, all Of these old men
would have dropped out suddenly as did
the veterans of As after the first battle of
Bull Run. Toward the close of the Civil
war, after the nation had had the discipline
of defeat, every commander of an army and
of department was a graduate of the mill
tary academy; ard the war was conducted
by the general commanding in the field, not
by politicians in Washington presuming to
know more about war by intuition than their
generals did by education and experience
combined.
What was the matter with the army OF
1895? A stonemason secretary of war a
stonemason at the head Of each department.
and stonemasons in command. Why does the
government spend a fortune on the education
of each of it's military architects and when
he offers his services in time of war ignore
him and take up inexperienced fathers sons
instead? 1t is politics, not war. There were
hundreds of West Point graduates with wide
experience in the army and national guard
who rendered their services time and again.
but were ignored because they were not
hacked by a political boss The establish
ment of the military academy was recon-
mended by Washington and was founded in
1902. Our own and foreign military critics,
as l have said, pronounce it to be the very
best scientific military school in the world
Why does the government expend so much
money it each year, if its graduates are
not utilized. if one may become great soldier
by merely possessing the friendship Of a
senator?
Our army is to be suddenly increased to
100000 men. Who will be the new officers? {?
Politicians sons. of course, or old worn out
politicians ready to be retired on three-fourths
ray for life. What will be the result in the
next war? Disaster, of course until young
men, brainy men, educated specialists, are
put to the front. We have an abundance of
the best officers in the world and they should
be utilized where their technical knowledge
and enthusiasm can be felt Our government
should know that the bare fact that man
can ride a staid old cart-horse without falling
off does not fit him to command regiment
any more than freedom from seasickness on
a ferryboat fits man to command the Ore
gon./
No one should be permitted to hold the pn-
sition of general or colonel Gr to serve on
any division or brigade staff in the regular
army. unless he be graduate Of the military
academy. or have shown special fitness during
years of army service. and have passed a
rigid examination in strategy, tactics logis-
tics and military engineering at least-the
foundation stones of military learning .
Our army as q whole is not degenerate.
The personnel of the rank and Ale is superb.
The younger and mdde-aged officers posi-
lively have no superiors. Give the young
men chance. give the architects a chance.
and We shall see our new army Of 100000
men tacticaly as perfect Frederick's aid
maneuvered as scientifically as Napoeon's.
Our navy is perfection because all Its Of
fcers are scientific sailors. Did it make our
politicians seasick to ride horse our army
would be equally favored and equally eff
cient. 1t is the politicians who are degener-
ate. The naval academy is the mother of
the navy; the military academy is the step
mother of the army. The cne reveres it's
mother and follows her precepts; the other,
Ill able to comprehend its stepmother. is
jealous of her influence. The difference Is
seen in the scientific maneuvers before San
tiago on the and in the haphazard ma
neuvers around it on the land. Utilize our
scientific officers. aud shall have
scientific army.