The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-04
WAR SCHOOL At FORT RILEY.
PLANS FOR ARMY MANEUVRES
.tN. IN KANSAS. .. ...

Fifteen Thousand Troops VIII ne Assem-.
bied TheRe Besides state Miiitia-sol.
diers Getting Taste Of Actual War
Conditiens-Pians for tho Operations.
FORT RILEY, Kan, Oct. ga city os
tents Is springing UP on the Pawnee data
Of the Fort Riley reservation. Over an
area Of 40 square miles the 1900 troops
that are to be in camp under Gen. Bates
will have free range, and the operations
will be interesting, not alone to the speo-
tators, but also to the country at large.
The maneuvres. begun last year on,s
large scale and this year extended to make
them Of far larger scope, mean much to
the army. To thousands of troops they
give q practical insight into the work Of
an army in the field that would be Ina
possible In the average fort with its few
men. .'t ',- .,s
Practice mannuvres have been going
on for several weeks. Trains have been
coming In from the various forts and posts
Of the West, bringing men, horses and
cannon. The battalions from the nearby
forts. Leavenworth. Sill, &c, have bcen
marching overland, and the result Is to
provide hare one Of the most representative
gatherings Of regulars ever seen outside
Of the actual operations OF warfare. g,
The farmers of two whole townships have
leased their lands to the Government for
use In the man1uvres, receiving five ocntS
IN aero. Any damage to crops will also be
paid for. y. &At
The War Department has chosen. Fort
Riley for the maneuvres in accondatp4
9Th ovtanoix,o ri fho INN
Of the service. The idea Of great cns,%
centration camps has been prominent IN
the plans Of the department in recent
years. One Of these camps is to be ct this
post. 10 =. 80 f.ear
Not only Il It situated favorably, bang
at the most central point Of tho United
States, but It has the natural surroundings
for the work. There are 1900 acres In ~
boundaries, varied with level lowiands,
wooded slopes, hills and bluffs, and two
rivers for the most daring movements OF
troops. ...e--4 ~ !, 70
The fort itself is situated near the weetsrn
boundary on height, and has some Of the
finest buildings Of their kind in the country.
The great riding hall, 800 feet long and 100
feet wide, without single pillar to break
the interior area, is not surpassed In the
world. Whole troops Of cavalry ars being
drilled there from morning till night. ~
At tho fort are the siege guns which.
wsre taken to China and then returned.
There u also the war balloon chat has been
are mounted on the hills, and tho broad
rife grounds are the testing place for the
Governments arms. Thus the place ofera
. remarkably fine opportunity for the COM
bining Of artillery, infantry and cavalry
In one series Of mannuvres, teaching the
art Of war by actual movemsnts.
The camp has been located on The PsNnea
data east Of the fort where the frat osTitai
Of the State Of Kansas once stood. The
remnants Of the capitol building vt remain,
q do those Of the Governors rnAnsion . N,
Tho city Of tents covers two square n1ales.'
and II remarkably beautiful IN the clear
autumn sunlight. Thousands Of visitors
from all parts Of the West come to see It
and watch the brilliant spectacle Of the
army movements. %,.5 Y
| Beginning the week came the preiimi-
nary work Of an actual campaign. First Of
all was instruction In the tasks Of camp
! life. Many OF the soldiers had never been
on other than post duty, and had NO con-
ception OF the duties Of caring for the camp.
Next came the actual war operations,
as they were mapped out by the board OF
officers In control Of the maneuvres. The
army was divided into two great divisions,
one for attack and one for defence; and on
the hills OF the post opened the campaign. :"
1t is agreed that certain tactical
movements should result in the capture
to- ch 1,,lL fv,vpo {uA
the material for the hospital corps. This
corps Is fully equipped with every modern.
appliance, including automobile ambu-
lances. .. ..t
The Signal Corps Is here. with Major
Scriven In charge, and takes an active part
in the operations. The signal system
used on the coast Of New England is In
operation, with such notifications az the
change from seacoast to the interior may,
make necessary. There is a full equip,
ment for a telegraph system, both with
wires and wireless, and the corps has q
system OF automobiles ready to convey
supplies at any time. .+. ... .-.
It Ii somewhat disconcerting on dark
and rainy night to have the order go out
to regiment to cross the river, a quarter
of q mile wide, and surprise the enemy
camped there. 1t means swimming the.
horses, wet clothing and chilled bodies.
but the soldiers take it In good part. The
attacking force may be driven back into
the river and not get homo until morning
after night battle. To the troops used
to quiet post duty 1t il great lesson. Ff'
One OF the principal features Of the ma
noeuvres is their educational influence on
the State militia. Many months ago the
States were invited to send their National
Guards to take part in the movements. 1t
was expected that the lesson would be q
valuable one.
Many Of the States were unable to accept
the invitation, owing to lack Of money
for expenses; but several near by have
accepted It In part. This State expects
It's full quota here In cxS8p, and the officers
have been active for a month preparing
for the work Most OF them know little
Of field warfare. but they are learning the
lesson.
Next year, It is expected, the States will
be able TO do better. bill also win be
introduced into Congress providing for
the sending Of State troops hers at Govern
ment expense. In the meantime States
that have not sent their troops have or
dered stan officers to attend. that they
may see the value OF such gatherings.
On Oct. 10 the great manouvres will begin
In earnest Heretofore the work has been
q 4