The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1911-04-07
OPPORTUNITY FOR
SHOWING ARMY IS
PREPARED FOR WAR
OBJECT LESSON WHICH INSPIRES
CONFIDENCE IN THE
SOLDIERS.
LESSON OF LAST CAMPAIGN
Gen. Wood Says That the Hurried Mo-
biIization of Troops on Rio Grande
Border Proves That American Ar
my Can Be Moved Quickly.

WASHINGTON, April 3.-Entirely
aside from the diplomatic significance
or considerations involved, the move
ment of troops to Texas is regarded
by war department officials here as
having offered an exceptional opportu.
nifty for demonstrating the prepared.
ness of the army, and as having serv,
ed as an object lesson calculated to
inspire confidence in the American
soldier and the army organization.
Detailed reports of the movement
and camp conditions are now coming
in daily.
1T is evident" said Gen. Leonard
Wood, chief of staff of the army, to-
day, that the experience which the
American troops have gained in re-
cent years in the movements to and
from the Philippines, has taught
them how to move and move quickly.
What delays were involved were
occasioned by the fact that the de-
partment gave no preliminary warn
ing to the railroads"
According to the reports of Gen.
VIM. H. Carter, from the headquarters
of the maneuyre division at San An
tonic, the whole movement has pro-
duced nothing but satisfaction as a
military situation
The ease with which the movement
has been carried out, and the absence
of confusion, it is said, are att"ibu-
table distinctly to the lessons learned
during the Spanish-American war. In
1898 all the acquisitions came after
the arrival of troops, and some of
them never reached the troops for
which they were intended. In the
movement toward the Mexican border
the troops took their own supplies
with them. All the officers had their
equipment ready as though in time of
war. Under the new regulations the
baggage which they carry is limited,
whereas in 1898 it Uttered the fields
and camps.
The enlisted men carried their shell
fnunIC
and brushes, toothbrushes and soap
and every thing was ready for their
comfort within a very short time af-
ter detraining.
Before the maneuvre orders were
issued, it was optional with the elist-
ed man whether he would enlist to
incubation against typhoid. About
per cent Of them submit
ted of their own will. But troops
in the Texas movement
have been inoculated against the dis
ease which demanded so many vic
tins in the fever-stricken camps Of
t he Spanish war period. All the Tex
as troops have also been vacinated
against smallpox. The men have been
trained to reject water of suspicious
character and facilities for boiling wa
ter are rarried with each company.
Each company carries its own cook
ing outfit. Extensive experimentation
has developed new forms of sanitary
sinks and new methods of incinera-
ton. Patented devices prevent the
of infection and the kitchen
and messrooms are carefully screen
ed. AS a result health conditions are
excellent.
THE experience of the camp, re
ports Gen. Carter, may indicate an
increase of men and decrease of
equipment; but in any event it is a
very businesslike unit, and one which
needs only to be multiplied to make
4 worthy and useful army. The best
Of spirit pervades the entire COM
nand."