New-York tribune., 1899-12-18
NEED OFARNY APPRENTICES.
WHY THE NAVY SYSTEM SHOULD BE Ar
Piled IN MILITARY CIRCLEs-ARdU-
MENTs IN GENERAL BRECK-
INRIDGE'S REPORT.
TpY TELEGRAPH TO THE TnIBuNB'l

Icy TELEGRAPH TO THE TnTbuNBl
Washington. Dec 17-When the Navy attrio-
utes so much OF its success to the man pehiiiu
The gun who has grown up In the service at
sea from an apprentice training ship TO stations
Of responsibility on the most complicated pa''ie
ships. II is unexplanabe that the Army shouiu
cling 10 the system which depends for lts pri-
Yates and subalterns on men over twenty-ohe
years of age, who have not had previous NM
tary experience. The Navy has from Ns III
fancy held that able bodied seamen cannot De
made in day or a year out OF men iroih INC
farms or mines or shops, but beginning fi'us'
he made in boyhood and half n lifetime OF train
ing is requisite for the profession. perhaps ho"
that the Army Is to be placed on an adequate
basis the War Department will pay more a''eh-
ton to the following urgent recommendation
which Inspector General Breckenridge makes IN
his annual report:
decade has passed since first endeavored
to draw attention 10 the desirabinty OF esenp
fishing a system of apprentice battalions In
connection with the Army, such as mas peeh ia Ia
practical and successful operation IN the NaSy
for many years The subject awakened llVey
interest at the time. and was favorapy uIs
cussed by such well known officers as Generni
Tidball. Frank and Sanger and Colonies Green-
leaf and Woodruff of the Medical DepartiieMn'' IN
and many others, and the system proposed re-
ceived the commendation and approval OF potn
the Secretary of War and the Major Generai
commanding the Army.
than sixteen nor more than eighteen years oia'
and give them course of military instruction
we'll as the rudments OF an English eouca-
ton. One or two of our unoccupied military
reservations could readily be used for this pur-
pose They are of little use to the country IN
their present condition but may. In the way
proposed be made to subserve valuable pubic
coed At the end OF their term of enlistments
these youths could either enter regularly INTO
the Army go back to the walks OF civil Ire.
In any event. the instruction and military train
ing which they receive would be OF incalculable
benefit not only 40 the country. by making
them loyal and patriotic citizens. capable OF
taking care Of themselves and properly defend
ing the cOuntry's cause, but to the Army, py
furnishing superb material, and TO the boys
themselves, by incucating correct principles
when the mind Is most receptive which VIII
form solid foundation to success In Whatever
business they may pursue.
Boys take readily to military life. and doubt
less large per cent would prefer to remain In
the Army The Gordon Boys Home. at West
End. Gotham, England, furnishes an illustra-
tion OF the practical workings OF battalion OF
boys about 60 per cent of whom enter the army
But it is not much matter of Importance
that the apprentice shall enter the Regular
Army at the close of his apprenticeship as that
we should have distributed throughout the land
trained and educated soldiers ready and willing
20 rally TO the defence OF their country when
necessary. This really constitutes our strength
military nation, and Is our main reliance
II a certain number OF apprentices were deslS-
mated by each Representative we would be sure
Of getting youths above the average mental,
moral and physical capacity. and absolutely
Americanize Army, and their influence on
the rank and file certainly would elevate its
military tone. The requirements OF the Army
with its modern tactics and appliances. are ex-
acting, and fair degree Of education and tech
ncal knowledge is presupposed for all subor-
dnate positions. We need just such trained
young men proposed for non commissioned
officers whether line staff; and they also
could, and doubtless would. win commissions.
Inducements are therefore, not lacking to at
tract boys of good character.
1t is earnestly recommended that steps he
taken for the establishment OF an apprentice
battalion for each arm OF the service. and II 1t
meet your approval, / would suggest that a
board of officers be appointed to arrange pre-
liminary details An act Of Congress is really
not necessary for the organization Of such bat
talions. The enlistment of minors Is already
authorized by law, and their assembling at des-
ignated posts for purposes OF instruction Is
matter Of administration. The main idea Is to
get the plan started and perfect IL afterward 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 nee
essary and the benefits secured with naval ap-
prentices. and TO ignore such an excellent sys-
tenn is simply to cling to inferiority.