Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-15

so termed, the cadet must spend two hours
each week in the gymnasium.
II was found necessary TO estaohsn
thls rule, for the cadets, after reach-
ing high stage of physical oeVeLoP-
ment during their first year, fell on aItet-
ward because they did not keep up their
physical training A little touch OF Ia1i-
ness maybe, for the gymnasium was al
ways for their use II they wished 70 use
H. The course is termed the physical tram
Ing course, and we can already see the
Dement'S of the change In the physlcal I'M
provement Of the upper class men,
These intercollegiate contests are OF
much good TO the cadets, and we prize
highly our athletics, but II may not be
known that, however we'll adapted cadet
may be for a position on one Of the attn
letic teams. he must be high in his studies
to be allowed 10 take the necessary time
to participate IN the team work.
las to athletics, there is probably double
the time given 10 them at the Academy as
was the case fifteen years ago, and we feel
that the extra time is well spent. be-
lieve, too. that In Captain Herm IN J. Koch
ler. who Is the instructor of military gym
nastics and physical culture we have one OF
the best men in the country Tor THIS spe-
cial and necessary work.
so YOU see our fourth class the young
men who entered the Academy in June la-.,
End somewhat changed conditions over the
old time customs Of the institutions. Inc
class, mum bering $50 cadets, was the largest
ever 70 enter West Point, and the cadet
battalion at the present time Is pracuca4Iy
the largest battalion ever in the barracks.
A. the country grows so perforce West
point must grow, and II Is too bad thai
Congress cannot see the necessity tor nv
granting Of the entire amount mat we
asked for for the rehabilitation OF the war
college, whioh is now in progress.
But 20 go back 10 the cadets-the pes
hovs that the nation can put forward
do feel a paternal interest in them, ana
this institution is Of necessity paternal
Institution. The majority Of these young
men are away from their tamlnes' tnelI
relatives and their friends. l beheVe tha'
/ have been successful In impafuhs u
them the knowledge that not only can thes
come 10 me with any OF their veNauons
arising from their lfe here and get my pest
! advice but In several cases / nave beeH
their conhdant IN private matters as Wen
and in the sacTedness OF thelr pIlNaCS
/ have given them the best ADVICE possible
/ from my own personal experience
Remember that West Point is for the
cadets and Is maintained for them. They
ave here each one standing on his own
foundation, and Il is for the individual 10
decide what the finished product shall be.
We are here. guardians OF MS moral and
spiritual welfare, 10 counsel, instruct anc
. held In All ways RoaalhANH - ---N-+--N-@-+ 80
dtsciDIina necessary in a national institu-
tion. some has said that the motto OF
I west Point is I'VE make men here God
grant that this Is true; II IL our best en-
deaVoT, anyway"
Largest ever In the history Of West
point the 'plebe' class, the FIRST year
men contains several outsiders who are
receiving military instruction, having been
admitted after special acts of Congress MAD
been passed for their benefit They pay
their own way, the full amount set by the
authorities as the cost Of the military edu-
cation.
There are four OF these young men, and
tvvo 81 them are from China, having been
sent out By their government 70 obtain the
American military ideas. OF medium stat
71re. these young men are Ting CHA Chen
and Wing Hs.ng Wen, and that they are
studious and popular with their comrades
roes without saying. Another cadet ls
Csrlos Alfonso Zeiaya. son Of the Presi-
,Aent u Nicaragua. ana the last foreigner.