The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-27

ter the mobile army or the coast ar
tillery.
II service with the latter is your aim.
the examination will include elemen-
tary electricity. mechanics and chem
istry; and in addition either advanced
mathematics, electricity or mechanics,
as you may elect; also the Constitu-
ton of the United States, the orsani-
cation OF the government and the ele-
ments of International law.
But II you choose to become a lieu
tenant of cavalry, field artillery or in
fantry your examination will be en- :
tirely different. save in the subjects of
Constitution. government and interna-
ttonal law You must qualify in gen
eral history, elementry French, Ger
man or Spanish. and such of the fol-
lowing advanced optional subjects" as
you may choose: Calculus and analvti-
cal geometry. or "a thorough working
knowledge of any modern language"
such covered by four-year course
at a university, or "a general knowl-
edge OF the English language or Ems
lish literature" which assumes ia
miliarity with the great authors from
Chaucer down through Stevenson. Be
fore being designated" for examina-
ton by the adjutant- general you must
inform him as to which of these op-
tional subjects you wish to be examin-
ed upon. All making IS or over in the
whole mental examination will be
graded in three lists
These VIII BE Favored.
Every year certain of the big mill
tary schools and colleges. having pro-
fessors from the regular army. desig-
nate each an honor graduate" Such
of these as pass the examination Will
be given the first commissions, and
after them will be favored all grad
yates OF schools and colleges lessen
| TALLY military and all young men hav-
Ing had three years creditable service
In some State militia who have passed
The remaining competitors who have
made SIS or more will next be appoint
ed. after which, If any lieutensncies
still remain. those making between q;
and IS will he accommodated In the
| order of their averages. Giigibles who
have never been to military schools OF
served in the militia will be assigned
| Immediately to posts where they will
be broken IN" to tactics and the hand
| ling of troops.
So much for the labyrinthine route
| by which the civilian may win his way
| to the goal
Whether the game is worth the
candle is n question for you to look
I well into. Take first the question OF
| glory Very little of that will gloss
! the soldiers career unless he partici-
| pates in war. The policeman has little
| chance for fame where all is piety
and virtue. and the fireman earns ne
| glory where everything IS freproof
| Nor can the soldier win the bubble
reputation in the mouth of the cannon
spiked with treaties OF arbitration.
That a great war is sure to come tc
US is the cry of military men, whose
| pay roll is guaranteed only by thi:
| fear, and OF politicians representing
| constituencies largely controlled BY
armament mongers or other opulen
| producers of commodities needed fol-
the constant preparation for war.
Future Wnra Inslorious.
| But against these jingoes are
| aligned the inventor. who IS fast pre-
pairing for war that Is too terrible L
be possible; the economist, who Is con
| vincfng the voter that war Is a toe
expensive relic of barbarism, and tn,
'benefcent statesman, who Is bindinf
rival powers with treaties of peac,
and arbitration. AS one of our arm,
officers lately complained our, onl,
J profitable wars will ba little affairs