The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-05-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.
The Artillery SchOOl-MiIitary aud
Naval Attaches-Why Young Men
EnIlst-Uncle Sans Garden.
Especial Correspondence.l

ditiOnS and greater demands surround
ing artillerists make it necessary TO
change the system Of instruction ut the
school. Much depends upon legislation
accomplished during the present SEES
sion Of congress, and it is likely the de-
tails Of the new system will not be
perfected until after action is taken on
pending measures. The revised course
will embrace the advanced subjects Of
electricity, etc, while there will be spe-
cial courses in explosives and other
subjects Of value 60 Il postgraduate
course SoT West Point officers.
If congress fails to pass n bill re-
lating to the artillery, it is proposed to
detail one battery from each artillery
regiment, making seven batteries,
which will form model command not
only as a garrison but as a means of
instructing the student officers. These
batteries will report at Fort Monroe
about July l. when a chief OF the
school will be designated. Officers COM
handing the batteries will act as in
structors.
The school probably will be opened
formally about Sept. l. Should con-
gress pass the pending artillery pro-
visions Of the army reorganization bill
there will be another system of select
Ing troops for duty at Fort Monroe.
Military and Naval Attaches.
OF NIL the % nations represented by
the diplomatic corps Mt Washington
only eight have officers of the army
and navy included in the STATS Of their
embassies and legations. Five Euro
pean armies are at present represented
at Washington, and Germany, Russia,
France and Japan have sent naval at
taches. The military attache is no new
thing at the capital, but the coming Of
tb first naval attache is a matter OF
very recent history and was token OF
the interest awakened among the great
naval powers of the world by the ex-
ploits Of the American navy.
The duties of a military or naval at
tache are not onerous. The minister
or ambassador is understood to be- en-
crossed In affairs Of state, but the at
tache seems to have nothing To do hut
attend assiduouSly to social duties and
lend the glitter of gold laced uniform
and gay decorations to an occasional
state entertainment.
But attention to society Is by no
,,,couo oil Lie ,1rtx- fTbara a ra a frraot
many things in the American army
and navy which foreign governments
like to know about, and it is these
things that It Is the business Of the at
tache to learn. though he is in no sense
a SPY. Almost every foreign nation
has secret means Of information con-
corning our Notifications and our arm
aments, but military and naval at
taches do not deal in secrets.
why Young Men Enlist.
"Why do young men enlistT said
one Of Uncle Sans protectors wearing
the uniform of a soldier in the marine
corps, sitting in the lobby Of the Ma
tional. 81 don't know why all young
ItllOM , ~ III NAt SNA NV AOA NOiAoANNAfA
tons other than patriotism, but | will
tell you why went in and am willing
to run the risk Of becoming a target
for a Mauser bullet.
81 am a painter by trade and have
never failed TO obtain steady employ
ment. l gave up SO a day to wear this
uniform and earn $13 a month and
found because ! want to see the world
and have an adventuresOme DISPOSE
ton. | could never save up any mon
ey, and my rowing disposition has TAX
en- me all over the United States. But
foreign travel is an expensive luxury.
| want to 90 to the Philippines and en-
Joy the novelty, excitement and change
Of long sea voyage to distant and
unfamiliar cline and see these people
and the way they live and at some
body else's expense. The government
will do this for me, as ! am n strong,
healthy young fellow who never yet
refused O chance to fight"
Uncle Sans Spring Garden.
People who were amused in the days
of Holman at that great economists
suggestion that potatoes instead of
flowers might be planted in the
grounds around the public buildings
may not be aware that Uncle Sam has
great garden Of spring delicacies
around the capitol building. The first
garden delcacies Of the season are
found there. On the southern slope Of
the lawn, under the protection Of the
terrace and exposed to the sun, the
dandelions have begun to sprOut, and
these days women and children who
know the secrets of the soil are out
with their baskets gathering these
greens" for the table. Mushrooms of
the best variety as well as dandeliOns
grow In great abundance on this broad
lawn, and it is source Of supply Of
greens" or mushrooms almost from
the time snow disappears until winter
comes again.
Senator Tillman can write equally
well with both hands. Sometimes he
uses one and sometimes the other. One
Of his colleagues after watching him
awhile the other day said:
Senator, l did not know that you
were ambidextrous."
EYES," retorted the senator from
South Carolina; 81 have to be In order
TO keep the run Of this senate"
Wizards hotel is to be torn down,
and the Virginia hotel, a modern mil
lion dollar etruotura &c IN no arocfQd in
its place as rapidly as possible. VIII
lard's has been one Of the landmarks
of Washington and half a century ago,
like the Astor House In New York, was
numbered among the great hotels Of
the world. CARL SCHoFIELD.
An Epidemic Of whooping Cough.
-. L. L. IL