Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-20

/ here turned the conversation to the
Russian-Japanese war. but this General
Grant refused to discuss, saying that he
was officer of the United States gov
eminent, which held an absolutely neutral
position, and 1t would, therefore, be I'M
| proper for him to criticise either army or
| to discuss the possibilities of its success
or failure. Said he:
1--WE are friendly to both the Japanese
and Russians, and we have been so Tor
| many years. We deprecate the war they
are waging, but we do not feel that we
have the right to interfere with either ma
| ton nor to criticiSe it.
But general, can you not point out some
of the, peculiar features of their warfare.
This is the first war of the twentieth CEN
fury, and it is being waged after twen-
tieth century methods, have not many new
, inventions been brought into use and new
ways of fighting DEVELOPER"
"If what we see in the papers is true
/ might say yes to that" said General
Grant But we have no reports as yet
that can be absolutely relied upon, and
none upon which one would dare to base
an opinion. New and powerful explosives
seem to have been discovered, the wire
less telegraph has been operated for the
first time and other new things are, 1t is
said, in use. We shall get the facts as
to such matters through the information
bureaus of the army and navy, but that
will not be before the war is over IL VIII
then be time enough to express an opinion
The United States Army in 1904.
what is the present condition of the
United States army?'
1T is steadily improving. Our soldiers
are better trained from year to year. They
have better habits there is less drunken
ness and they have higher ideals"
"How about profanity, General Grant?
1t is said that the United States soldier
is the wickedest Swearer on earth.
81 don't believe that" said General Grant
81 know we have many soldiers who use
profane language, but they are individual
cases There are many who do not swear
at all. Profanity is, as you know, pro-
hibited by the army regulations.
At this point the conversation turned to
profanity among the officers, and l asked
Cen Grant as to whether the stories that
his father used profane language were true
He replied that they were not and that ne
had never heard his father use profane
word. Said he:
MY father once told me that he had never
uttered an oath in his life. l know that he
did not use even the ordinary explet1ves
and that he was averse to slang. once
heard him say thunder and lightning ana
once or twice thunder but as he drew to-
ward the latter part of his life he did not
use even such expressions. He was man
of much natural refinement. He never told
a vulgar story nor would ne listen 10 one
If he could help 1t"
The American Soldiers Of Today.
Then you think our soldiers are growing
better?'
YES The character Of our army always
improves when the army has something to
do. Since the Spanish war We have had our
hands full, and there has been plenty Of
active service Army life is buster
than ever. The people have higher re-
gard for the soldier than they have had
during the latter years of peace. and the
soldiers feel 1t. The profession of the com
mon soldier is more desirable and think
l may say we are making better soldiers
from year to year.
Young Men and the Army.
Would you advise a young man to go
into the army?"
That would depend much on the man,
upon his character. his condition and his
ambitions" said Gen. Grant. IF he is
! anxious to make fortune the army is no
place for him. If he has natural business
| ability he can perhaps do better outside,
but If he has a desire for the service and
is anxious to improve himself in it, think
It offers many advantages. The comma On
soldier is better paid, better fed and better
CLAD than the majority of his same rank
outside the army. He gets his Iodgln
food and rain free. and has 1880 d
month out of which he has to pay only his
wash bills. If he is a good man he can
n axe a great deal more outside that. SO
YOU see his condition is by no means a bad
one"
HAS he any chance to become an Of
ficer?
yancing those of the privates who are
worthy There are regular examinations
for promotion, and the young man VINO
would rise can do if he has it In him"
How many soldiers have we now in the
army?"
About $1,000"
rs that enough?" / asked.
1--WE could use more; and when the for
tifcations, now building, are completed we
shall require more.
How about the military spirit among our
young men; does 1t grow"
Yes. 1t has become associated with the
schools, both public and private. We are
drilling school cadets by the tens of thou
sands every year all over the country, and
are training them in case we should need
them In the wars of the future. The mill
tia is very strong everywhere. Indeed, We
| have now vast amount of reserve material
| upon which we can call should it be needed
| The American, trained or unframed is, you
know, always ready to enter the army II
his country needs him. In this respect the
| United States has strong hghtng ma
chine If all our men from eighteen to
! forty-four, which should be considered the
militia age, were in the army we Should
In round numbers, have 100000 night
ing men. OF these about 14O0OoO would De
white, and the balance colored.
Military Education in Europe.
How ABOUT the sySteIS VI
Europe where every boy is required to
spend so much of his life in the army?
Would they be good for this country?'
II do not think our people would con-
sent to that, and our geographical stu
| alton is such that we do not need 1t.
| There are however, advantages in the
| military systems of Europe. The armies
there are great schools in which all the
| young men are taught obedience to law
| and good citizenship. They are taught
| sanitation and the laws of health, and
by the exercises and drill forced upon
! them the nation individually and collec-
| lively is greatly improved. These are
! some of the compenSations for the loss
! to the nation of the work of the young
men for several years. l do not wish to say
that the system ought to be adopted
! here"
| Does the army have much trouble in
| securing recruits, general?"
| No, there are always men who want to
| be soldiers. We treat our soldiers bet
| ter than almost any other nation, and we
| have little trouble in recruiting. When
| the times are hard the applications in
| crease"
| How about the desire to be officers?
| THAT seems to be born in a large pro-
| portion of our American boys. There are
always ten applicants for every vacancy
| at West Point"