The Washington herald., 1910-08-03
Local Militia and the Maneuvers.

The District OF Columbia National
Guard has returned from the joint army
and militia maneuvers. held this year at
Gettysburg. Pa. and we shall soon have
the results Of the experience and OBJ
servation OF the officers who have been
engaged in this training for war The
reports Of the militia officers who took
part last year in the maneuvers in Mas
sachusetts include those who are con-
nected with the District Of Columbia
command. and it is gratifying to OBJ
serve that the comment from those
sGcrCes has been military in an avoid
ance Of the QUerulous, which was the
chief characteristic OF the report made
on the same event by the officers Of the
New York organized militia. These ma
neuvers are more or less incomplete IN
what they really accomplish for the citi-
zen soldiery. 1t cannot be expected that
in the time allotted the militiamen will
At themselves into the conditions of canp
and field life with the readiness and
cOmplacency Of the regulars 1t IS the
business Of the latter TO meet the condi-
lions as they find them. and they have.
as material aid to that end. the training.
the equipment. the system, and the Off
GERS who know how TO overcome OBJ
stacles and meet emergencies. 1t Is 10
the credit OF the District OF Columbia
militia that it has been willing 10 do its
duty in the field without whining and
without making much Of the fact that
they did not have the delicacles Of the
table while on the march. This is the
proper spirit and IS an announcement
TO those who entertain great expectations
Of the militia as an ally Of the regular
forces in time Of war. The successful and
useful militia officer. for instance, will be
one who is able 20 make the most profitable
use OF the material which he finds ut
hand, just as he would have to do If his
command were in the field IN the pres
ence Of an enemy.
Even those who are enthusiastic over
these joint army and militia maheuvers
may, with reason, question whether the
maneuvers. as they are now conducted.
do not attempt too much beyond the ele-
mental. It is a great deal that the mill
tiamen have an opportunity TO associate
with the regulars and experience the de-
privatons of living in camp and march
ing by day and night with whatever of
rigors Of climate may DO their portion. as
it was to a demoralizing extent in the
Massachusetts maneuvers. Another doubt
which has been expressed by the service
observers concerns the operation, which
it is difficult to conduct with close ad-
herence 10 the actual occurrence II It
were real warfare. Troops are found IN
vadlng territory which they could not
approach IL the opposing force was some
thing more than On assumed enemy.
This is where the umpires come in for
their special function, and unless there
are enough Of them to keep track OF
what is being done. as well as what
should not be done, the results are of
little significance But probably the ma
neuvers viii never have more than a re-
mote approximation to actual war. And
with the spirit OF obedience and cheer
ful acceptance Of conditions manifested
by the District Of Columbia National
Guard. the maneuvers will undoubtedly
have their full value as a part OF the
system Of preparing military force for
war