Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-31
THROUGH FOUR YEARS
Physical Training at Govern
ment Academies.
VIEW OF JOINT BOARD
RECOMMENDATION APPROVED By
THE PRESIDENT.
Value Of Jiu-Jitsu Esthmated-The Day
Of the Sword in Warfare Has
Not YetPassed.
OF JOINT BOARD

II direct that the recommendations be
carried out. Report torme in this city sixty
days hence. (Signed) Theodore Roosevelt -
Such was the characteristic Endorsement
made by the President; yesterday on the
report of the joint army and navy board
appointed by him February last, to con-
slider the physical training of cadets at the
Military Academy and of midshipmen at
the Naval Academy, and also the question
of swords and craftsmanship in both
branches of the service. +
That board was composed of Gen. Mills
and Capts. March and Coe of the army,
and Commander Halsey and Surgeon Bogert
of the navy. In it's report the board found
that the courses of physical training were
similar at both academies land that both
were defective in that physical training was
compulsory for the first year of the course
only"
The Best Physical Condition. /.
1.-THE board believes" says the report,
that the best physical development can
be obtained only by a study of the physical
condition of each cadet midshipman and
the use by him of exercises such as will
tend to remedy his physical defects. This
involves the careful and periodical exami-
ration and measurement OF each Individual
and the prescription for him of suitable
exercises. The young men at the two
academies are at a period of life at which
the greatest possible. effect, in properly
rounding out their development, can be Sc
cured by an intelligent system Of physical
culture. 1t Is necessary not only that the
student should be made aware of his de-
ficiencies, but also that his interest should
be aroused in their correction, and that he
should be provided with means of APP
preciating that the results are in direct
measure with the effort he makes
out precisely the directions of his instructor
If the student be furnished with graphical
representations of his general physical de-
Velopment, as shown by anthropometrical
measurements, made from time to time, it
cannot fail to awaken in him due apprecia-
ton of what he can do for his own phyical
good This has been demonstrated beyond
question, and it is practiced to a greater or
less extent at both academies, but the board
believes that it's Importance should be en-
phasiZed. The details of application of this
system may properly be left in the hands
of the authorities of each academy.
Extending Line of Compulsory Exercise
"The board believes that it is absolutely
necessary to require that the work done
by each cadet or midshpman toward i'm
provement of his individual development
should extend over the four years of the
course at his academy. The board realizes
the difficulty in the way of laying down
any hard and fast rule as to the time to be
devoted to this training, inasmuch as the
conflicting demands for time for this and
that course, each believed to be essential,
make the application of any such rule a
matter of great delicacy. But it will not
be openly disputed that any curriculum is
wrong where mental effort is demanded at
the expense of physical well being. The
board is thoroughly convinced that in order
to secure the proper physical development
of the average student minimum of time
to be devoted to compulsory physical exer-
else is two hours each week throughout
the entire course. Statistics of other in
situations, both civil and military, might be
cited to show that this minimum is consid
erably below that which is ordinarily re-
q hired. During the period of suspension of
studies, and in the casessef the members
of athletic teams, the two) hours each week
required for individual physical develop
ment may be reduced omitted to meet
the requirements of the situation.
Athletic Sports.
aside from the work directed toward in
dividual development, judicious amount
of physical exercise, regularly undertaken
will be necessary to maintain the best phys
ical condition of the students. A certain
daily expenditure of physical energy will
materially assist the cadets and midship-
men in their classroom work and will con-
duce toward that physical well being which,
through the maintenance of the various
physiological functions at their best, will
tend to promote happiness and content
ment This will include all Out-of-doOr drills
and exercises as may be prescribed, gym
naStic, hoXlng and wrestling, swimming,
fencing and workmanship and preparation
and participation in the various forms of
athletic sports.
'In considering the first of these as a
means for promoting physical exercise it
should be remembered that, as they treat
all students alike, they have no effect in
tending to remedy individual physical de-
fects other than that afforded by any form
of general exercises in the open air.
Gymnastics are generally undertaken
during the winter months Their effect in
the general physical development of the
students is, mainly in the addition of grace
and precision to their movements, and in
promoting confidence in the performance of
physical feats.
''The board believes that the students of
the national academies should acquire some
knowledge of boxing and wrestling. not
only to increase their ability to care for
because these forms of contest have a 8,
marked tendency to increase physical
quickness and the alertness desirable in
military officers.
ability to swim is an essential require
ment, and swimming should be encouraged
as healthful form of exercise.
1.-THE physical effect of participation in
athletic sports, under proper supervision,
is highly advantageous to those taking
part, and athletics exert beneficial eff
feet upon the whole student body by af-
fording opportunity for relaxation from
mental effort. It should not be forgotten,
however, that the weak and poorly devel-
oped who are most in need of physical
exercise and development, are debarred
from active participation in such sports.
1.-THE regular practice of ju1icious and
heaithful exercises by cadets and midship-
men throughout their four years course
will develop habits of exercise In youth
which will tend to be prolonged into later
life and thus have marked effect IN
raising the standard of physical condition
and physical endurance in the officers of
the United States service.
1.-THE line officers of both the army and
the navy are required to drill the enlisted
personnel under their respective commands
in physical drills or gymnastics of one
sort or another. The proper performance
of gymnastics can be taught successfully
only through personal example The boa,d
believes that the students of the acad-
emies should acquire, during their course
!n the institutions, the proficiency necessary
to qualify them as instructors when they
finally shall be commissioned.
Inquiry Into Jiu-Jitsu.
The beard made the Japanese art of jia.
jitsu the subject of special investigation,
with a view to determining the advisable
tiry, int