Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1901-12-07
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BIG MILITARY DISPLAY.

Interest in the military features of
the Louisiana Purchase exposition.
both those which are both provided
for and others which are only propos-
ed, continues to increase. There is
well-defined belief that as the United
States has become, since the worlds
fair of 1893 one of the leading mill
tary powers of the world and that as a
large army is now one of its inStitu-
lions the exposition of 1908 would be
minus one of the distinctive features
of our national growth if a large
military display were overlooked. The
LSndon permanent exhibition made
a special feature last year of the
methods of warfare and arms of all
nations, which proved immensely
popular with the British public. The
United States has undergone a great
change in this respect during the past
few years. 1t is regarded essential to
the proper education of the people,
as well as of deep interest, that a
knowledge of things military should
be widely disseminated. The general
demonstrations that were made all
over the country three years ago have
but to be remembered to suggest an
idea of the favor with which military
regarded. The Columbian guards of
Chicago, while a minor feature of the
exposition, attracted very great at
tention, and are still remembered as
a splendid body of men. The Column
bian guards idea. very much ampliied,
is being strongly advocated for ST.
Louis. AS yet there is no formal pro-
vision for anything of the kind The
war department has committed itself
to furnishing an officer who shall be
stationed at the exposition grounds
but that has merely to do with the po-
lice department. He would have su-
pervision of regularly recruited po-
lice, and any soldiers who might be
detailed at the fair, would have no
other duties than the patroling and
guarding of the governments inter
ests- What is being strongly advo-
Gated is an adequate military display.
The American soldier on drill. in
camp, on parade, at his athletic exer-
cises and in his barracks should be
exhibited The tournaments which
occur on field day in the regular
army, in different branches of the ser
vice, have been brought to a high de-
gree of excellence, and would attract
great admiration on the part of the
large majority or people, who know
nothing about these events. Drill con-
tests between the militia of different
states. or between militia and regulars
would be witnessed with an amount of
enthusiasm that could hardly be
aroused by any other form of athletic
or scientific exercise. Added to this.
the armies of other natio. s should
have their place. and to some extent
international contests could be ar
ranged. Precision and uniformity of
movement is a feature of all military
training and would. therefore, form
a basis upon which to judge the rela-
tive merits of bodies of men that have
never heretofore been associated. Col
Upton NJ Young of St Louis. sets
forth the idea of a congress of SOL
diers. representing all nations. He
says: These soldiers should give
here. as far as possible. an idea of
their military tactics, dress. etc. I he
Eeve If a certain month or more should
be named for the purpose of such a
congress, that thousands of soldiers
and ex-soldiers from all parts o. the