The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-19
IMPROVE The MILITIA.
INSPECTOR GENERAL URGES A
CORPS OF ARMY APPRENTICES.
He Cites the Emciency Of Naval He
serve Battalions ~ Evidencing
the Expediency of the step-War
Comes suddenly and Must BE Met

NEW YORK. Dec. ia special to the
Tribune says: Inspector General Breckin-
rfsf has BEEN s aspOl his
torically. without need of argument. how
easy and effective is the proper training
and maintenance OF an efficient militia, as
the hope and support OF the nation. when
called to arms and to protect the individual
citizen from unnecessary suffering, when
rallying to the colors for the national de-
been expanding over $4,000 day; but this
peace practice, essential for proper nation
al defense and for the proper training OF a
well cared for and well armed militia costs
only about 100000 a year. hardly two days
expense even on peace basis and would
not add S per cent to the. annual military
large ,s sums sI' in the long run. But IL our
people prefer to conduct war upon the
recognized principle Of main strength and
awkwardness though they are 80 proverb-
thing else. when their attention IL attracted
to war. the incidental dissatisfaction and
suffering In the early stages Of war will
clothing and its other features. well known
to every soldier Of the civil war, though
less pronounced, OF course, when only q
quarter Of million instead Of million Of
colors.
Practically we have practiced our mobili-
5000 as they do in Europe and much need
ed and instructive military maneuvers have
been largely omitted. We have generally
had only camps and transportation. and
reviews Of any large masses of men In this
country were lacking, except at Camp
George H. Thomas. where a separate army
was repeatedly reviewed and a corps Of in
fantry was practiced in battle problems,
though the artillery and cavalry hardly got
into full participation frequently 1t may
be only just to invite attention, as COM
Iatxl - 81 o.
how admirably prepared and arranged the
various military exercises were there. es-
pecially when in large masses of men. such
F Frank poiand Sanger Mckee a. ana Grant
and such STAFF officers. at the army's head
quarters, as Baldwin. Foote, Cecil, Wheeler
and Dickman made things talk The bril-
gade commanders and other stan officers
equally deserve individual mention.
And throughout the whole assembled
body of troops were found experienced and
able and accomplished general, line and
stan officers, as well as scientific and sup
ply corps. as in the main organizations.
Neither troops nor commanders are apt TO
wholly forget its lessons and the skill the
enthusiasm displayed seem remarkable, and
the nation in any future exigency may md
reward in the qualities and experience here
training for war The positive difference
former is accustomed to act amid masses
SO ebesr and 20 NE
and knows that walking about and march,
ing in mass makes a different strain upon
individual resolution and endurance.
1t is evident that an army. to be Of the
utmost efficiency must be able to man
euver and fight and adapt itself readily to
the enforced or adverse conditions Of life
very frequently means unnecessary sacri-
flee OF life. undue suffering and enormous
expenditures for pensions In subsequent
years. Wars come swiftly and there Is lit
have been declared These matters have
been repeatedly mentioned in my former
annual reports
Occasionally we have had some tentative
experiments. as at Chilocco and Camp
Crook. or in Arizona. In 1887 and In 1883.
after the Geronimo campaign. but a sys-
tematic, progressive instruction. under
campaign conditions, has never been in
auRurated. The encampments held annual
" by some Of the state. guards have. per-
haps, been very instructive, so far as guard
duty. patrols. outposts, minor tactics and
similar matters are concerned but frequent
ly they seem to have assumed the char
cooks and paraphenaiia OF comfort. rather
than that Of a command intent upon pre-
pairing for the hardships in the field.
A decade has passed since ] first en-
deavored to draw attention to the desira-
bilty of establishing a system Of apprentice
battalions In connection with the army.
full operation in the navy for many years.
II certain number of apprentices were
designated by each representative we
would be sure of getting youths above
the average mental. moral and physical
capacity and absolutely Americanize our
army, and their influence on the rank and
file certainly would elevate its military
tone.
The requirements of the artillery, with
its modern tactics and appliances, are ex-
acting and a fair degree of education and
technical knowledge Is presupposed for all
subordinate positions. We need Just such
trained young men as proposed for non
commissioned officers, whether line or staff;
and they also could and doubtless would
win commissions. Inducements are there
fore not lacking to attract boys of good
character.
1t is earnestly recommended that steps
be taken for the establishment of an APP
prentice battalion for each arm of the
service and, If 1t meet your approval, I
would suggest that board of officers be
appointed to arrange preliminary details.
An act Of congress Is really not necessary
for the organization of such battalions. The
enlistment of minors is already authorized
by law and their assembling at designated
posts, for purposes of instruction, Is mat
ter CT administration. The main idea is to
ward, as may appear most practicable and
feasible. A trial will cost little or nothing
and the plan. once started, Is bound to
grow in popularity and prove of as great
benefit to the army as to the country and
to the young men themselves. The navy
has illustrated both the method necessary
and the benefits secured. with naval APP
prentices, and to ignore ouch an excellent
system is simply to cling to inferiority.
UNION HIGH SCHOOL.