The Washington herald., 1908-07-26
SWORD AGAIN IN VOGUE.
The Reason for Its Restoration in
European Armies.

European Armies.
From TIE Boston Transcript.
As the result Of experiences Of officers
IN the Boer war. Great Britain relegated
the sword entirely TO parade uses. In its
place officers were supplied with small
carbine. something like the ancient fusil,
which they were 10 carry IN actual serv-
ice IN effect the officer was made 10
look ike the enlisted man as much as
possible Those Iong-distance ma-ksmen.
the Beers. picked out the officers by the
fash Of their swords. and consequently
the mortality among holders OF commits
sions was great, 10 the decentralization OF
the men IN the ranks Germany, for the
same reason. also took away the sword
from officers and armed them with
small rife. The theory Of the change was
that al wars were fought. and would
continue 70 be fought. at such long ranges
that the sword would be OF no value as
weapon. while officers would be made
more conspicuous targets BY brandishing
i and as they directed the movements OF
their men Now, as the result Of the OBJ
servations OF the Russo-Japanese war. The
sword has been restored 20 officers. both
OF the British and the German armies
The ferceness OF the struggle between
the japanese anG the Russians. the fre-
QUenCy with which both armies fought At
close quarters. the activity displayed BY
the japanese officers N personal leader
ship the frequent value Of the sword. not
only in pointing the way. but il personal
Combats. have wrought q radical change
in European expert opinion as 10 its
value Il is realized that practice has
iupeached theory. and that men inspired
by heroic leadership or by patriotic In
pulse viii disregard zones OF FIRE and viii
rush them with such energy as 20 dis
compose defenders armed with long-range
weapons and render their aim Wild
The argument for the restoration OF the
sword IS both practical and sentimental
II Is 70 the officer what the baton is 70 the
orchestra leader. even II he IS not called
upon 70 use II IN seIf-defense. II the past
il has ever been the point OF q charge. and
Il has always been the mark of the oEcer-
Reasons which may be called those Of
morale have also pleaded for ITS restOra-
ton. There IS q distinction which cannot
be obHJerated and never should be ig-
norcd between the officer and the man
Anything which deprives the former Of
g distinguishing mark OF his rank must
react on discipline and interfere with that
subordinarion without which an army
soon becomes but g mob. distinguished
from other mobs only by the uniformity
OF its clothing. FancifuI as IL may ap-
pear % civilians. there can Be little doubt
that the o1ficer without his sword IS al
off7cer who has undergone q considerable
reduction OF his influence.
Probably the future use OF the sword
viii be simply 10 emphasize the leader
ship OF officers Personal cOmbaIs VIII
become rare despite the record OF the
japanese war Such g persistent death
Cespising hatred as the armies OF Russia
and Japan manifested for each other IS
not frequently encountered in history.
Most armies, especially those Of the great
military powers. fought with a purely
professional interest and entertained for
one another no feeling resembling rancor.
Long-TG1ge firing efficiency still promises
20 be the determining factor Of battles,
other conditions being equal Personal
encounters between officers Of high rank
are OF infrecUent occurrence Some OF the
most distinguished leaders Of men IN bat
Indifference 10 danger rather than upon
weapons. Murat found q riding wand
sufficient for his purposes n directing the
charge Of the NapOleonic cavalry He
very seldom wore q sword Chinese Cor
don pointed the way Of the ever-in-
viucibIe army with q bamboo cane, and
doubtless other instances might be cited
OF generals who IN service never drew a
sword for any purpose other than 20 re-
tura a salute.