Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1902-06-19
AMERICAN SOLDIERS.
neet Treated warriors in the World
A British Private's Comparison
of Army Methods.

bTlJlSn SOlultI, WIZ lOlhSAAJ
served in the United States army, and
who recently returned back from two
years of the most active servicec at
the front in South Africa, sends us the
following remarks on Mr.. Brodrick's
scheme for popularizing army service.
Not long ago, he says, Lord Wolseley
stated in the house of lords that the
American army was the finest for its
size in the world, and as one who has
served and seen active service in both
armies this soldier bears out his state
ment, says the Washington Star.
"ln the first place, the Americans
offer sufficient inducement for the
good article to come forward, whilst
in Great Britain we offer to pay an Of
fee boy with the hardships of North
sea fisherman and expect the very
best to roll up. Many candidates for
the British army who are pronounced
as unfit at one recruiting depot go on
to others, and on third or fourth at
tempt manage to pass more lax doc
tor. For instance, men refused at
Liverpool will go to Preston or Ches-
ter.
"The unftness of these men is at
once apparent, whenever thorough
inspection is made in order that drafts
may be sent abroad, but as the good
article won't join at the money we
must take the best sometimes worst)
we can get. A pioneer now serving at
the front in the Scots Guards has only
two fingers on his right hand, and yet
passed the doctor. This fact speaks
for itself as to the inspection of re-
cruits at certain depots.
"In. the American army the candi-
date goes before board of three doc
tors and passes very stiff examina-
ton. Hemust be in extra good bodily
health besides being a perfect phys
zeal and mental specimen of manhood.
While the physical standard OF the
British Tommy is deteriorating, that
of the United States soldier is getting
more and more perfect.
"The American recruit must be 81,
and he must prove his age, if doubtful.
In this country boys of Is and 16 join,
saying they are 1s. They are sent to
India and Africa and then everybody
wonders at the inadequacy of our hos
pital accommodation. Not long ago
a Lancashire paper had an obituary
notice as follows: AT Utrecht, Private
John - died of wounds, age III Had
it been drummer no comment could
be made, but 'private!'
81 have met manyex-British soldiers
IN the American army-(they only
take the very best)-and they all say
they prefer the American army be-
cause there is less pipe-clay and but
ton-burnishing kit inspection and fan
CIV work that leave the soldier no time
either to soldier or to play Men
have to be smartand clean and respect
full and that is all.
"Once at Fort McHenry, Baltimore,
an American officer made himself so
obnoxious to his men that they began
to make numerous applications for
transfers to other companies. The
commanding officer of the regiment,
tumbling to where the grievance lay,
transferred the officer Some British
officers want transferring.
"The American officers first duty is
to see that his company has got their
rations, and to hear any complaints.
The British officers thoughts are apt
to turn to the officers mess wagon,
and this on active service. His COM
pany's welfare seldom troubles him.
They daren't complain. The man who
does so can be had up for 'grumbling,'
for melting to mutiny' and for con-
duct to the prejudice of good order
and disciplined 1t is one of the things
that make Gen. Butler. beloved.of Tom
my that he at least always shared the
hardships, and, when he could, looked
after the wants, of his humblest fol-
lowers. Having served two years in
South Africa-at the front, not at the
base camps-I have seen these things"