New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-14
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS
LONDON.
SIGNIFICANCE OF MILITARY MANGU-
VRES on THE CONTINENT.
GERMANS LEARN NOTHING FROM BoER
WAR EXPERIENCE-PROFES DE-
WAR ON EDUCATION

WAR EXPERIENCE-PROFES DE-
WAR ON EDUCATION.
London, Sept. 13.-The German army nanuu-
yres have been more spectacular than usual
owing TO two cavalry charges led by the En-
peror but they have not revealed any marked
changes in tactics and methods. These military
functions of various Continental countries are
chiefly valuable evidence that scientific sys-
TEN is regarded by experts more important
than numerical strength in armies. There is no
tendency in the direction of increased military
armament. No military State in Europe is
anxious to obtain a larger army Each mill
Iary staff is striving 10 perfect the system Of
organization and discipline. and to rival other
powers in the quality Of arrIlaments rather than
in the enlargement of the force under arms.
Military maneuvres are innocent diversions
in comparison with the emulation in ar1ning ad
ditional millions displayed after the be-
tween Germany and France. There would be
dreary prospect for European taxpayers if the
Car, instead Of standing by his appeal for dis
armament. were increasing the Russian army,
he could well afford TO do with Minister Of
Finance OF creative genius and pre-euinent
ability behind him.
The English press does not attempt to conceal
its contempt for the military authorities the
Continent who dfsregarded the practical lessons
theatrical nnanoeuvres without reference TO the
altered conditions of modern warfare. This is
fair act Of retaliatory criticism The British
staff throughout the Boer was ridiculed by
the military critics abroad for lack of fexbility
in dealing with the exceptional conditions of
warfare. II can now retort that while Cont
mental nations are playing at war in mannuvres,
England has quarter of million of veterans
who have learned to rifles and fight in
practical way with the weapons of the period.
The appointments for the army corps at AL
dershot indicate the change wrought by the
war in South Africa in what once the
stronghold Of carpet knights and society gen
erals. General French will have under him
division and brigade commanders and their sub
ordinates who did good work in the Boer
war The Aldershot gang has been driven out
There is strong probability that rifle
practice the construction of intrenchments and
good many ether practical accomplishments
nill be systematically taught at Aidershot
Professor Dewar's address before the British
Association has caused more excitement in
England than the revelations OF german mill
tary science at Frankfort-on-the-Odero or Mr.
Chamberlains conference with the complaining
Boer generals. Professor Dewar is one of the
most eminent men Of science OF the day, and is
a great authority on practical chemistry His
universities in chemical work and his demon
stration that great industries have been taken
away from England owing to the lack of edu-
cation among the so-called educated classes
have made deep impression. 1t is most for
mida5le Indictment of English educational proc
esses. and is enforced by a plain statement OF
the magnitude Of the commercial losses attrlp-
utable TO it Professor Dewar's deliberate con-
fession that the German population has reacheo
point of general training and specialized
equipment which England could not attain
without two generations of hard aad intelligent
work is a compliment which the Fatherland has
received for many years. Nobody supposes that
progressive countries like the United States.
Germany and the British colonies will stand still
during the next two generations
Professor Dewars presidential address shows
indirectly how much Cecil Rhodes did for Ok
ford in converting il into q centre of educa-
tional work for the empire. the United States
and Germany. and thereby forcing the dons to
wake I'D and bestir themselves 1t also throws
a strong sidelight upon the ineptitude of the
Bsltour government in producing a highly con- |
tentious education bill which raises the ques- |
ton cf deonaina tional control Of religious teach
Ing at the expense OF the rate payers, and elects
from Office the trained talent of school boards |
instead of increasing the efficiency Of both the |
primary and secondary schools on broad lines
TIE British Association has promptly taken
up the question of trusts. Professor Graham
was purely speculative in discussing the bene-
fetal effects of trusts upon production. prices
Continued page four