The evening times., 1900-01-12
TRAINING FOR THE ARMY
The Proposition te Establish Bat
taliOns Of Apprentices.
Inspector General Breckinridge Pre-
pairing a Detailed Statement Con-
cerning His Recomme N dation,
Made i'm Recent Report-Advan-
taGes of the System Pointed Out.

Inspector General Breckenridge is at
work upon a detailed statement concerning
his recommendation that apprentice bat
talions be established in the army on the
lines OF the apprentice system now in Use
in the navy.
General Breckenridge asserts that such
battalions will furnish the army with a
plentiful supply of well-drilled and disci-
plined young men for non-commissioned
officers and even. from among some of the
most intelligent and best fitted, in times OF
war, well-equipped commissioned officers
In a recent report on the subject General
Breckenridge says:
"A decade has passed since ! first en-
deavored to draw attention to the desira-
bility of establishing a system of appren-
tice battalions in connection with the
army, such as has been in practical and
successful operation In the navy for years.
The subject awakened a lively interest at
the time, and was fayorably discussed by
such weIl-known officers as Generals lid
ball Frank, and Sanger, and Colonels
Greenleaf and Woodruff, of the Medical
Department. and many others; and the
system proposed received the commen-
dation and approval of both the Secretary
of War and the Major General Command
ing the Army.
The proposition was to enlist lads not
younger than sixteen nor more than eight
cen years of age. and give them course
OF military instruction, as well as the ruol-
ments of an English education. One or
two of our unoccupied military reserva-
tions could readily be used for this pur-
pose.
They are OF very Ittue use to the
country in their present condition, put
NAV in the way proposed, be made 10 SUB
serve a valuable public good At the emo
Of their term of enlistment these youths
could either enter regularly into the army
or 60 back to the walks Of civil life. In
any event the instruction and military
training which they receive will be OF in
calculable benefit not only TO the country
bv making them loyal and patriotic clu-
zens CAPABLE OF taking care OF then-
selves and properly defending the Coun-
try's cause. but to the army, by furnish
ing superb material and TO the boys theIn-
selves, by inculcating correct principles
when the mind is most receptive, which
will form a solid foundation 10 success IN
whatever business they may pursue
..Boys take readily to military life. and
doubtless a large per cent would prefer TO
remain in the army. The Gordon Boys
Home at West End Gotham, England,
furnishes an illustration Of the practical
workings of a battalion OF boys, about be
per cent of whom enter the army. But II
is not so much a matter Of Importance that
the apprentice shall enter the regular army
at the close of his apprenticeship as mat
we should have distributed throughout the
land trained and educated soldiers ready
and willing TO rally to the defense OF Their
country when necessary. This really con-
stitutes our strength as military nation
and is our main reliance
IF a 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 upon the rank
and file certainly would elevate its mill
tary tone The requirements of the army,
with its modern tactics and appliances. are
exacting and fair degree of education and
technical knowledge is presuppOsed for all
subordinate positions.
I'VE need Just such trained young men
as proposed for noncommissioned officers,
whether line or staff: and they also could,
and doubtless would. win commissions. In
ducements are. therefore not lacking to
attract boys of good character.
1t is earnestly recommended that steps
be taken for the establishment Of an ap-
prentice battalion for each arm Of the SER
vice and il il meet your approval. / would
suggest that a board Of officers be appoint
ed to arrange preliminary details. An act
Of Congress is really not necessary for the
organization of such battalions. The en-
listment of minors is already authorized by
law and their assembling al designated
posts for purposes Of instruction is mat
ter OF administration. The main idea is
TO get the plan started and perfect it aft
erwards 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 apprentices,
and to ignore such an excellent system is
simply to cling TO inferiority.'