New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-22

Business Men Should Help in Train
ing of Soldiers.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
sir' The President is unquestionabIy right when
ne says that too much time and energy arc spent
IN movements which more spectacular than
practical and that great percentage Of the ordi-
nary work done either on the parade ground or in
the arnory does little toward training a soldier for
the field of battle OF course. certain amount OF
armory and parade ground work is necessary TO
accuston the soldier TO the command of his off,
Gers and 10 instil habits OF discipline and obedi-
ence Yet this work without other training would
accomplish little toward making the soldier OF the
army or the National Guard.
To be able to take proper care of ones self upon
the march and IN the camp or bivouac is the acme
OF military accomplishments. These points taken
In connection with efficiency in rifle practice. are
the essentials that go to make up proficient body
of troops. That rife practice should be encouraged
in this country Is recognized by all tnoughtful
military men. Although a soldier marches WE'LL
takes care Of himself on the field and arrives at
the scene battle in excellent condition. yet II ne
Is unable TO shoot and shoot straight. he Is or
little value. am that the War Department
recognizes this fact and think that Congress and
the people are beginning to recognize It also
There is no question that our troops should have
practice in marching with full equipment
Too little attention is given TO this matter, and
In the National Guard the reason OF this Is the
lack OF time which the men have to give 10 their
military duties. While II might be possible Ior or
CARNATIONS In this State to hold practice marches
q
question TO hold them often every other week
1t would be difficult to have them once
month. as our experience In holding target prae-
tce has shown
II our business men would give to the. National
Guard moral support and encourage young men
in their employ identify themselves with the
militia it would be great help to our citizen sol
der. We do not ask for their financial support
but IL every merchant who has In his employ a
member of the National Guard would encourage
and cheerfully give his consent 10 the attendance OF
that would ask of them. This many OF them DO
not do, however. Yet in case OF domestic trouble
they the first TO demand the protection OF tne
militia.
Relative to mansuvres I must frankly state that
7 do not approve OF them being held on a large
scale. such as those a Manassas in 1904 Where
ed any considerable distance TO these manCeuvres
too much time Is taken up en- route. For instance
If manoeuvreS held on this coast. al any one
point at which the regular troops and the Natlonai
gon and California would participate, great por-
ton of the State troops would be en- route gong
to and coming from the manoeuVres for a PERIOD
Of four to six days, and, IL IS very difcu4t Tor
National Guard troops TO be absent from their
everyday voCations for moro than fifteen days az
the outside it readily be seen that much Valua-
from the encampment. In my opinion, IL would be
very much better have smaller bodies OF troops
mobilize for manueuvreS, where IL would take, pei.
hapS, only one day TO come and go; the balance or
the time could be proftably spent In problems
Manoeuvres of some kind, however. should be held
at least often every other year, and In the
intervening years the state should provide LOT tne
holding Of eneampInents and marches py the troops
If the Dick bill is passed IL will enable the States
to accomplish great deal more than they have
been able TO accomplish heretofore in proInotinS
the efficiency of the organized militia
J. B. LAUCK, Adjutant General
Sacramento, Cal, Feb 16 1905