The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-18
BREckINRIDGE's REPORT.
Soldiers should Be Taught to Care
for Themselves.

for Themselves.
New York, december IA special to
the Tribune from Washington says: In
spector General Breckenridge annual re-
| port to the general commanding Is this
year. as formerly. a searching review OF
the conduct OF the army and an expert
criticism OF its organization OF the most
interesting and valuable character. 1t is
an unusually voluminous document with
many excellent Photographic illustrations
and will prove entertaining and instruc-
| tive not only to officers in the service but
to legislators who will he called upon to
consider needed reform in the service. 1t
is notable that nearly all the inspector
generals suggestions were adopted by Sec.'
rotary Root in his recommendations to
congress
| General Breckenridge says: All expert
| ence shows that we may periodically have
war and our last mere mobilization shows
what inexperience may cost and cause our
children to endure. Sanitation. where
there are no family ties nor modern con-
veniences is more difficult to teach and
enforce among soldiers than the manual
of arms or musketry and the sooner troops
go under canvas and learn tactics and
tactical operations On the ground and how
to take care of themselves. the better IL
will be for the army and especially for the
new organization called out for the de-
Tense of our country's flag.
Our present transport feet has excited
the admiration of foreigners and is per-
haps as fine as lavish expenditure OF
money could so quickly make II under
department of the government which was
almost novice in this work and not con
ltrolled entirely by men who have made
such matters a life study 1t has been
sufficiently demonstrated historically
without need Of argument, how easy and
effective is the proper training and main
tenance of an efficient militia as the hop
and support of the Nation when called Il
arms and to protect the individual either
from unnecessary suffering when rallylni
to the colors for the National defense
During the last fiscal year we have beer
eXpending over $4,000 day; but thi!
peace practice, essential for proper Ma
tional defense and for the proper train
ing of a we'll cared for and we'll armed
militia, costs only about 81 900 & year
hardly two days expense even on peace
basis and would not add 5 per cent TO thu
annual military appropriation and woult
actually save large sums in the long run
But If our people prefer TO conduct wa
upon the recognized principle of mail
strength and awkwardness-though the,
are SO proyerbially acute and energetic
in it and everything else when their at
tention is attracted TO war-the incidental
dissatisfaction and suffering in the earl
stages OF war will, perhaps. continue I
recur; such as shoddy clothing and Ii
other features, well known to every soldie
of the civil war though less pronounced
. of course, when only a quarter of a mi
lion instead OF a million Of unframed me
are suddenly called to the colors.
Practically, We have practiced our mob
lization with $50, 900 mer instead of wit
, 10000 as they 10 in Europe and niue
needed and instructive military msneu
vers have been largely omitted. We hay
generally had only camps and transport;
ton and reviews of any large masses
d men IN this country were lacking excel
: at Camp George H. Thomas, where
! separate army was repeatedly reviewe
d and corps of infantry was practiced
= battle problems, though the artillery an
Y cavalry hardly got into full participate
frequently. II may be only to invite a
I tention. as a conlmendable piece OF pre-
ressional work to show admirably pr,
e pared and arranged the various mill
tary exercises were there especially whe
in large masses of men. Such genera
commanding divisions as Wilson. Fran
Poland, Sanger, Mckee and Grant an
v such staff officers at that armys heaC
quarters as Baldwin, Foote, Cecil, Vince
er and Dickman made things talk. III
brigade commanders and other staff of
GERS equally deserve individual mentio
= And throughout the who assembled boo
: of troops were found experienced and N
v ticeably able and accomplished gener
line and staff officers. as we'll as of d
&c supply corps, as in the main organic
Is tons neither troops nor commanders a
n apt to wholly forget its lessons and t
;, skill, The enthusiasm and ensemble di
: played seem remarkable. and the nati
, in any future emergency may find rews
a in the qualities and experience here a
qired and displayed as a preparato
- training for war.
The positive difference between soldi
= and a citizen is that the former is accu
toned to act amid masses and so h
learned how to carry food. arms, shelf
:, and water and reach the foe and kno
~ that walking about and marching in ma
~ makes a different strain upon in1ividl
u resolution and endurance
, 1t is evident that an army to be of t
n utmost efficiency must be able to name
! yer and fight and adapt itself readily
= the enforced or adverse conditions OF |
in the field. Ignorance of such matte
very frequently means unnecessary ST
riice OF life and undue suffering, and
T. timately enormous expenditures for pc
ne sions in subsequent years. Wars col
:, swiftly and there is little or no time
~ preparation after they have been d
es clared. These matters have been 7
rs peatedly mentioned in my former ann,
n reports.
1g A decade has passed since / first
N deavored to draw attention to the desil
er bility OF establishing a system OF appre
Sc tice battalioDs in connection with I
ny army such as has been in practical d
g. successful poration in the navy for ma
70 years. II certain number of apprentl'
were designated by each representa-
we would be sure of getting youths abe
the average mental. moral and phys
capacity and absolutely AmeTicanize {
nc army and their influence on The rank q
ne file certainly would elevate It's aiiita
IN tone The requirements OF the army, "
OF its modern tactics and appliances are
~. acting, and a fair degree If education q
technical knowledge is presupposed
all subordinate positions We need !
such trained young men as proposed
IA non commissioned officers. whsther u
~ or staff, and they also could and doubt
would win commissions. Inducements
OF therefore not lacking to attract boys
sss good character.
1t Is earnestly recommended that st
... | a.. taLsu for tha ablishmeut of an