The Washington herald., 1910-05-10
Real Work for Soldiers.

The organized militia which is destined
70 take part in the naneuver camps this
summer will be confronted with a prac-
teal situation which means real work.
The day Of sham battles is past There
Is 20 be the minimum amount Of the
ceremonial in military activity, and there
will be absolutely nothing OF the spec
tacular. There are to be drills and
marches and exercises. and the work
ing out of problems under condi-
tions which resemble as closely as
may be the operations Of troops in the
field In time of war. There will be none
Of the comforts which have hitherto gone
with encampments Of this sort. and the
instructions to the quartermasters who
have charge Of the fitting out OF the
camps require the omission Of flooring
for the tents and the like semi-perma-
nent arrangements" The troops will camp
In the open, aad viii be surrounded by
conditions which will get them acquaint-
ed with the bare necessities and. pre-
sumably, some Of the positive hardships
which would be their lot IN time OF war,
when they are separated from comforta-
bic barracks and beds IN well-heated and
properly ventilated rooms
1t would be interesting 20 know how
this new programme is received by the
members Of the organized militia. There
will probably be no complaint from the
regular army. which is more or less ac-
customed TO roughing It. although the
latest equipment Of camps and the pro-
visloning Of the soldier in the field con-
sttute vertable luxuries as compared
with the conditions Of the troops Of the
civil war. Now. the commissary. for in
stance, provides bakeries and trained
cooks. with all sorts Of portable kitchens.
and can furnish hot food on the firing
line. The quartermaster has shelter IN
abundance and varied form. and has pro
duced a uniform which IS the acme OF
comfort with protection against the ele-
ments. The latest infantry equipment IS
a model OF It's sort, with a reduction in
the burden OF the foot soldier and the
means Of carrying a part OF his outfit
by wagon instead OF on his person. Much
scientific thought has been given 10 the
protection Of the individual and his varied
equipment 70 make him a valuable unit
capable OF overcoming the climatic in
fuences and resisting the fatigue and
overcoming the causes Of physical dIsa-
brity.
There is no fault TO find with the Mill
tary authorities for going a step further
and imparting 10 these maneuver camps
the quality OF real work and serious pur-
pose II these Joint military exercises
are 70 mean anything in proportion to
the amount Of money appropriated for
their maintenance. the militia must be
put on a footing with the regulars and
do the same work which would be ex-
pected and exacted OF them IN time o.,
war; otherwise the biennial maneuvers
are futile and represent a fagrant waste
or the public funds II the camps are
constructed and conducted as pIcnIc
grounds. It will be a very poor prepara-
ton for the militia in anticipation Of war.
and in that event the volunteer troops.
which have been counted upon as an i'm
portant ally Of tho regular military estab-
lishnent, would encounter many denor-
alizing and disastrous surprises. Il IS
well that the maneuver camps are to be
on a basis OF realism with the least
amount OF foolishness.