New-York tribune., 1909-05-03
MANGUVRES THIS YEAR
ONLY COAST DEFENCE.
Joint Army and Militia Exercises
Omitted-Easier for Regulars.

From The Tribune Bureau
Washington. May 2.-There will be no joint army
and militia mapoeuyres this year, excepting the
coast defence exercises held at seabosrd fortihca-
tions in which limited number Of state troops Will
take part with the coast artillery corps. That work
will be practically a reproduction of the exercises
held last summer, and undoubtedly the same militia
commands will be designated by the respective Gov
for military work with the coast artillery
troops There has been some talk OF extending the
period beyond the five working days to which the
exercises have been limited. The War Department
has however learned that there is much dissatis-
faction among the mtiamen as well as among the
enlisted of the regular army over any prospect
of an increase in the programme Of operations Inc
sentiment is not favorable such hard work as
was exacted last year at Pine Plains, n. Y.
While the various militia commands have only
short period of this drill 1t is nevertheless hard
work compared with that at former encamp-
ments. 1t is usual to hold drills and to carry OUT
problems in military operations. These problems
not in any sense the old form of sham battle
which was largely spectacular and good deal of
pastime. The soldiers complain that in the modern
problem OF battle they know little nothing Of
what Is being done, and few of the officers, as
matter of fact, possess any definite comprehension
OF the plan of engagement The aim is TO have
lectures following each days work, but this has
been received with special approval on the part
OF militia officers. who, for the most part, desire
that time for diversion and rest.
The practical and altogether scientific programme
OF these joint man1uvres has suggested to the
military authorities in Washington the lessening Of
the work required, and probably in next years joint
manoeuvres, which are expected to be held on an
extensive scale there will be more consideration for
the national guardsmen. Certainly such policy
will be received with satisfaction by the regulars
who have been kept at the manPuvre camps to so
through the various programmes with each sue
ceeding instament of the militia ordered to take
part in the practice. The joint manoeuvres cost
Sl,00000 in the way of extra pay of officers and
men OF the militia, their transportation and sub
sistence, and it is believed by the War Department
authorities that the work might be done with profit
every other year, leaving only artillery exercises to
be held annually.
There has been throughout the army desire, ex
pressed in the reports OF commanding officers, for
a dminution OF the hard work which was very
defined policy of Mr. Roosevelt. During his ad-
ministration long weekly and longer monthly prac-
tce marches were required. There were periods OF
camping in the open, TO the end that officers and
men might become familiar with the conditions OF
living in the field, fully separated from the con-
veniences and comforts Of the garrison These
marches were conducted with the soldiers carrying
the personal equipment of the field. il they were
serving in time real The dissatisfaction
expressed by the soldiers has been shared also BY
many Of the officers and there has been gradual
reduction in the amount Of work required.
1t is appreciated by the military authorities that
discomfort caused by excessive practice marches
and too many manoUvres has a direct and vital
to obtain recruits One OF the reasons given for
deseTtiOns. well for the failure of trained
soldiers to continue in the army, has been this
action of field work. On the other hand it Is ap-
precated that certain amount Of 1t must be done
if the militia organization, il is now, basis
FOR national defence is TO be found ready for
gency, and the same rule holds good, Of course,
with regard the regular establishment Army
officers who enthusiast site for hard work have
been urging that the system OF preparation be in
creased but while this would have it's practical ad
yantages It is realized that there must be limit
which takes into consideration the wishes OF the
personnel
In q report made By the chief OF the coast artii-
lery the subject OF this years exercises under
his supervision. General Murray says:
Sufficient experience has been gained since the
Inauguration Of the io!nt exercises 10 establish
clearly that II the employment Of the militia is 10
be successful II this employment is to warrant the
time and money spent, the troops must come to the
guns properly organized To detail infantry
regiment for this work is inadvisable, for the or
ganizaton Of an infantry regiment is radically
different from that required for coast artillery
this work sends a certain proportion OF both
officers ana TO duty which they DO not desire
and for which they did rot enlist and II is idle TO
expect permanent good from IL These men will not
remain in the militia, and not only Is the instruc-
ton artillerymen wasted on them, but the state
loses their services as infantry as soon as they can
obtain their discharge