Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-31

tons necessary to obtain competent civil
ians for these positions the matter of tE sir
selection being placed in the hands of the
respective superintendent, who are in POSI-
lions to judge of the Immediate needs OF
each academy in this respect.
AT the Naval Academy 1t Is recon-
mended that the department of physical
training be established on permanent
basis in charge of competent officer, TO
be selected by the superintendent.
The present instructor in gymnastics
and boxing at the Naval Academy has
reached an age and physical condition
which render it impossible for him to IN
-struct except by explanation, and with
such instruction alone the best results are
not obtainable. He has given thirty-seven
years of faithful service to the govern
, ment and deserves consideration at It's
hands. 1t is recommended that he be re-
tired with the pay of a warrant officer.
Swords and Swordsmanship.
cit is obvious from the experiences of re-
cent wars, that the question of swordsman-
ship in the army and in the navy must be ap-
preached from different standpoints. Sea
fights under modern conditions give no ex-
ampies of the use of the sword, and 1t can
be said that it's use is purely ceremonial on
board ship and on shore at formal military
functions. The present naval sword an
swers this purpose well may be de-
sired. The navy, however, may be used in
landing parties, and in such cases hight
ing sword is necessary for the officers.
1T is recommended that the sword which
is or may be in future used by the army
be part of the equipment of every ship in
the navy in sufficient numbers for issue to
officers when engaged in landing parties
only such swords to be carried part of
the ordnance equipment of each ship.
AS regards the army, 1t may be said
that far the evidence at the disposal
of the board goes the sentiment of the army
is largely against the use of any sword at
all by officers in the field, the idea being to
replace the sword by the revolver. This
was the practice in the Philippines by al
most universal consent, and without any
orders in connection Herewith emanating
from superior authority.
The widespread opinion against the sword
and in favor of the revolver only is founded
upon service under abnormal conditions, in
country largely underbrush, and against
foe who rarely stood against determined
advance. and with a sword which itself was
an inferior weapon.
The Sword Not of the Past.
"A careful consideration of the fighting
in the Russo-Japanese war, under modern
conditions as regards firearms and under
greatly improved conditions as regards ar
tilery fire, has shown conclusively that the
sword is not a weapon of the past.
The increased killing power of the mag
azine rifle and "a pid-fire field gun has OPP
sian armies, in order to minimize their
losses, to make many night attacks. These
mght attacks are not surprises by small
bodies of troops but movements of divi-
sions and armies in battle formation. The
result of this development has been to force
the frequent employment of the bayonet by
the enlisted men and of the sword by the
officer, and to Increase their Importance as
fighting weapons. The losses due to cold
steer in this war will probably never be
accurately known, but enough has already
been reported officially on both sides to
show that the sword has been effectively
used, particularly in these night attacks.
These being facts 1t follows as corollary
that the sword adopted for officers of the
army should be fighting weapon, and not
merely a badge of office
The board does not consider it part of it's
duties to go into the matter of types Of
sword best fitted for use in the army; this
question, 1t is understood. is now under con-
sheraton by a committee of the general
staff 1t recommends, however, the adop- |
ton for officers of the army, and for en-
listed men who are armed with a sword or |
saber, of an efficient cut and thrust sword |
(saber,) such shall be determined, after
tests of different types of
weapon, under the advice of expert swords |
men, to be the best suited for fighting.
Instruction in Swordsmanship.
1.-The board recommends that instruction |
in workmanship at the military and naval |
four years course, and that this instruction |
be, as far as possible, under service condi- |
lions regards the weight and balance of |
the wea pons used; i. e., that broa dswords be |
for use in the fencing instruction |
Of the two academies conforming far as |
possible to the weight and balance of the |
sword adopted for use in the army.
THE board recommends that a manual of |
sword fencing be prepared for the use of the |
army, and that the exercises therein set |
forth and skill in the use of the weapon |
be made obligatory upon all officers and en- |
listed men of the army who are armed with |
the sword or saber.
In order that the foregoing requirement |
may be carried into practical effect, the |
board recommends that suitable broad |
swords masks and other necessary equip |
ment be constructed by the ordnance de- |
partment, and issued to all posts in the |
army in such quantities as are necessary |
Tor instruction in the use of the sword"
Approval of the Report.
The report was approved in order by Gen. |
Chaffee, chief of staff. and by Secretary |
Taft of the War Department, and then by |
Acting Secretary Darling of the War De- |
partment, except the recommendation |
that the sword adopted for the army be |
made part of the equipment of every ship |
in the navy for the use of officers engaged |
IN landing parties only, concerning which |
feature the Navy Department reserved it's |
opinion. The report with its Endorsements |
having been submitted to the President he |
gave the report his approval and directed |
that the recommendations be carried out
The President also directed that another re-
port on the subject be made six months |
hence.