The times., 1901-05-22
soldiers or Monkeys!

Figs do not as rule grow upon this
ties, and we do not see any special rea-
son for believing that other unnatural
and alarming fruits are to be expected
as a result of abnormal cultivation.
This thought is suggested by the
strange development at West Point
which Colonel Mills yesterday talked
over with Secretary Root. What we re-
fer TO is the protocol signed by the
COmmandant and a committee of the
cadets, and which is calculated to
create a suspicion in the public mind
that both of the high contracting par
ties were crazy. It is as follows:
'.The following is our understanding of our
rights according to your resolution IN regard to
abolishing hazing and your Interpretation OF the
regulations OF January 70, 1901:
Upper class men may chad, but not offend
proper selfrespect Of plebes. This does not refer
TO cunCeit.
"Plehes will not be entitled to recognition
until June.
.'Plebes will attend no social functions or hops
"Plehes shall maintain the class distinction
'Plebes shall be braced according 20 the orders
OF the Superintendent in Camp Wansborough
''Only official relations shall be necessary be-
tween upper class and fourth Glass men.
Glass fights must be abandoned.
"Only justification for fights is insult, which
should be resented on the spot.
RAT funerals, while Offences shall not be
considered hazing.
Fourth class men may be asked TO do such
CTrands as may be done as tIvorS, but there
shalt be compulsory sweeping Of rooms.
The order with regard to the bracing of
fourth class men shall be regarded. in out
OF ranks the rule Of this administration.
Liberal construction viii be placed on the
regulations and every man viii be governed by
his own conscience.
Anything tending TO reduce the subordination
.H- L.
To the ordinary public the above will
inevitably read like the veriest non
sense in Greek. But it is translatable
by those who know something of the
sacred traditions of the Military
Academy 1t would be interesting TO
learn who IT was in the Gark, ancient
history of the institution thalinculcated
and established the principle that boy
in the first year Of his preparation for
the career of a gentleman and soldier
should be regarded as unfit to associate,
off duty, with other youths who had
been at West Point a year or two years.
But the doctrine appears to be settled
and recognized by the commandant 1t
is said by the leading cadets in the late
mutiny that Colonel Mills has not lived
up to the protocol, and they have been
writing generally to their Congressman
urging his removal. AS soldiers sub
iect to discipline they ought themselves
to be removed from the service for in
subordination. We are afraid that Col
onel Mills ought to go with them for
joining in such hand-organ-and
monkey agreement. It is difficult to
discuss the thing with equanimity.
What are we to think of such solemn
clause as rat funerals, while offences,
shall not be considered as hazing?" Or
what impression are we to gather of
conditions at West Point from the dec
laration that fourth class men may be
asked to do such errands as may be
done as fayors, but there shall be no
compulsory sweeping of rooms?' FL
nally. anything tending to reduce the
subordination of fourth-class men viii
be opposed" That is an agreeable
proposition for a colonel commandant
to subscribe to! Is the Government
bound to accord to these little grey
backs the right to establish a code of
morals and ethics which would not De
tolerated by intelligent men in ma
chine shop? Do American families with
affection for their children wish to see
them sent to be educated at a place
where, TO say the least, they VIII be
subjected to one year of humiliation
and sometimes torture? The whole
West Point cadet idea and tradition
are wrong They show the fact that
they are, in personal results.