The San Francisco call., 1908-04-05
Ma nila. March 1.

SIX any officer in Manila. and he
Will tell you, with positiveness
n and with pride, The army OF
Philippines is not only the fittest
division of the American army. but it
is the httest army in the world"
He makes this declaration with posi-
tiveness because he is absolutely 'con-
vinced OF its truth. He makes it with
pride because he regards the fact itself
= reason for congratulation, and partic-
ularly because he feels he has himself
had some part IN bringing the COM
ponent parts Of the command and the
individuals comprising It to the pres
ent state OF efficiency.
with this spirit prevailing in an
army no limit can be set upon its ac-
complishment IN any crisis. It is the
spirit which commanding officers the
world over most desire in their officers
sne men. That it should prevail TO so
high q degree among troops serving
under tropical skies speaks volumes
fer the man who u its chief inspira-
ton, Major General Leonard Wood.
Evidence OF the high state of ef-
hciency OF the troops comprising the
Philippine division is seen on all sides;
II IL as general as is the testimony that
such condition exists. The impartial
investigator has no difficulty in dis
covering that there is warrant for the
assertions OF those who, being them
selves part Of the organization, might,
even n the face OF the .well known
American tendency to criticise, be sus-
pected as being prejudiced witnesses.
but even the most pessimiStic OF doubt
ers would become a convert after wit
Messing such an exhibition as has been
given at the division military meet
which has just come to an end.
This military meet, the second Of
its kind held in the islands, demon
strated not only the fitness and ef-
hciency OF the different commands, but
was also valuable as an illustration Of
one OF the means through which that
fitness and efficiency have been pro-
cured. It may be regarded merely as
minor or secondary means. but Of its
great value as a contributing factor
TO the end desired there can be no pos
sible. doubt. It makes play of the sol
dier's work in time Of peace-thoush
it is none the less work, and valuable
work, for being play
There were $500 officers and men
participating in the military and ath-
letic events. the picked commands OF
the different departments. In its es-
scnce the division meet consisted of two
distinct features military tourna-
mcnt and an athletic tournament. The
military feature showed contests be-
tween different organizations of the
same corps-all sorts Of contests cal
culated to test efficiency in the duties
each corps is called upon to perform in
actual warfare, particularly under the
conditions found in the tropics The
athletic tournament consisted of all
such contests as would be found at
any intercollegiate meet, with mum
Der OF unique features in addition to
these.
To Major General Wood primarily
and TO his aide de camp. Captain George
r. Langhorne, of the Eleventh cavalry,
secondarily, is the credit for the insti-
tuition OF this system Of keeping the
different commands and the officers and
men comprising them keyed up to the
condition point. A beginning was
made in the department in Mindanao
when General Wood was in command
nander the Anndanao idea was applied
TO the whole OF the army in the islands.
The first division meet. held last
year, was experimental in sense, but
proved a great success. This years
meet has been in every way a greater
success, both in number and character
Of contests and in records made. AS
against 81 events last year there were
3O4 this year. In the athletic contests
alone there were IS individual COM
sides. Winners have returned to their
stations determined to hold on to their
trophies next year; losers have carried
back with them the determination to
be winners next year if hard work
will make that possible. The exper-
fence Of the last year has demonstrated
that this is by no means a mere on
the heels OF defeat threat Individuals
and commands have won this year over
the last meet winners. and have won
because OF good, hard, consistent work
during the II months that have inter-
vened.
The primary object OF the division
meet. expressed in the language Of the
ofacial orders, is ito develop. In friend
3y rivalry. training which VIII benefit
the greatest number of officers and
men. to present for comparison meth
ods most instructive to the command
at large. and to inculcate in every one
g desire to attain q high state OF milk