The Sentinel=record. (Hot Springs, Ark.) 1900-current, 1911-03-18
j. 5. TROOPS
ON QUI VIVE
oRpREs RECEIVED TO BE READY
TO TAKE FIELD ON TWO
HOURS NOTICE.
Officers and Men Scout the Theory
That They Are Called Out for
Practice Work-An Waiting
Explanation.

San Antonio, Texas March 17--Or-
ders have been received here from
Washington that General Carriers
maneuver division shall hold itself IN
readiness to break camp and take
the field as If for actual warfare with
In two hours.
The order, when promulgated to the
stan, and gradually gossiped to the
line, caused much comment for the
particular reason taat 1t did not come
in the general maneuver orders issued
by General Carter today. but from the
seat OF the government.
Such an order means blanket. ten
days rations, shelter tents, two hun
dred rounds of ammunition, etc.
Not a man in the entire division
thinks that they are here to drill.
They await an explanation. ,'he
order to be In readiness for operations
in the field, while it might be a
legitimate feature OF maneuvers, is
not taken in that sense
A large representation of the
American press has been here since
the arrival Of the fist detachment Of
soldiers. Since then they have talk
ed with practically every officer in
the division. Excepting the generals
to whom long years have taugh con
seryatism. every one rejected the
maneuver theory, but could not ex-
plain where war was to be expect
ed, according to unanimous reports
OF the newspaper men.
II Is regarded as a commentary on
the military preparedness of the
country that many OF the officers
hope that Japan is the objective of
the present preparations. This is not
the wish for blcodsled, but the wish
for lesson which viii teach the
American people. and through them,
their representatives in congress, that
s0,000,000 Americans are not given a
national police numerically worthy OF
the name.
The above is carefully assembled
opinion obtained from officers of the
greatest body of troops gathered to-
getaer since the war in Cuba. The
hope that the war would be with
Japan, it was explained, grew out oi
no ill-feeling toward that country, but
because that country would admins
ter, for some years at least, defeat
and humiliation which, if anything
would bring this country to sense
Of its military Deficiencies.
One officer CT prominence in con
versation today declared that he
hoped Mexico and the United States
would not become embroiled.
we could defeat Mexico, and there
would be no lesson learned. Tie ma
tional vanity would be tickled and ths
unthinking in congress would have
another object to point to to show
that We can depend on the volunteer
IN an emergency. We can after w
have lost rs per cent to teach th'
remaining rs per cent how to fight. 4
stronger lesson is needed Japan O
oermany would serve, preferably th'
former. because of her geographical
situation. They are quite capable q
reducing US. with their perfect pre-
paredness, whenever ready. I speal
Tor the army, unofficially. Ultimatel
We should triumph, but the ultimat
cost would be appalling. II We're muel
cheaper, even in money. let alon
h'es, to treble our force, than t
take such Lesson, considering tn
ensnent pension rolls alone.
am not alone when / state tha
am sure of defeat should Japan at
TACK us and / am not alone when
state tiiat am willing to be one G
'ae victims of national blindnes!
When | say that / wish I could be
sacrliice that the lesson may b
learned"
onicers cannot be quoted for pull
ncation where criticism of superior
= involved, or to be inferred. But tn
man who made the foregoing state
ment has reputation which extend
beyond the army.
me West Point class of 1904 hel
reunion dinner tonight. Owing
tae policy Of small posts. which up
now has preclnded general maneuvel
lew Of them had met since leavin
rolIege.