The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-05-10
WHY NO MANEUVERS.

Some time ago the New York Even
ing Post had a long editorial criticism
Of the inactivity Of the L, S. forces
on the Mexican border. 1t was pro.
claimed that the mobilizing of the
troops there was for the purpose of
military maneuvers, and in answer to
criticisms that had been made as to the
scattering Of the troops and the pre-
vention of any general officers having
actual command of even so large num-
ber Of soldiers as brigade in field
practice. IT was admitted on all hands
that the general officers should have
practice in the training and handling
of considerable bodies of troops: and
that without this training and practice
they would be awkward and inefficient
were called upon for actual service.
This was so evident that officialdom
agreed that something should be done,
and the mobilizing was settled upon.
There was, of course, the double motive
besides the maneuvers of being ready
III case there should be any serious
trouble on the Mexican border, or any
general destruction of life or property
of Americans in Mexico. However,
tins latter has not occurred, and neither
has the army maneuvering occurred, as
the country was led TO expect from the
criticisms and the announcements.
Accordingly, the New York Evening
Post made a very pointed and direct
criticism of the mobilizlng, and eX-
pressed the opinion that the purpose
announced had not been realized In
response, Major General Carter issues
statement to the press, in which he
says that "the instruction of the ma
peuvers by division during the month
of April has been restricted to opera.
tions by regiments and brigades, each
arm acting separately He also de
clares that, "despite very unfavorabIe
weather, the progressive work of prac
ticing regiments and brigades has been
very beneficial in hardening men and
preparing them for division manen-
vcrs,' and promising that from now
on the drills will be by division and
brigades, Commenting upon this, the
Evening Post of May 9TH says:
Yesterday the first division drill was
held-just two months after the order
for the assembling OF the troops was
issued In its criticism. the Evening Post
was careful 10 Law the blame on the sys-
tenn. and General Carriers defense merely
emphasizes the correctness Of our view.
The troops at San Antonio are not mill
tia as II might seem, who require
months to lick them into shape, but
regulars. whose immediate preparedness
for war is one OF the boasts OF the War
Department. Where else in the world
are there regulars SO , soft as as to S,,r require
maneuvers? Would they have had two
months To become hard. had there been
serious trouble with Mexico? And why
are not our regulars al all times ready
TO march. and long distances AT that?
We pay them TO be ready. There is not
a German or French regiment today
which could not do it's fifteen or twenty
miles with ease; and yet they. are not
professional soldiers. The difficulty is
that In our luxurious forts we do not
prepare the men for immediate active
service.
1t will be difficult for anyone who
has even the most elementary knowl
edge of military affairs, to refrain
from siding with the Evening Post in
this whole matter. The mobilizing of
single division of troops is certainly
not thing to call for any great amount
Of applause. Compared with the mob
ilizing and exercising of troops in Ger
many, France, Russia, Austria. or
Italy, the mobilization and exercising of
our one division is insignificant. And
if, as the Evening Post says, it is true
that il requires over two months after
the mobilization has been made to get
the troops fit for field exercises by di-
vision and brigades, what does our
mobilization amount to? The best of
our troops, il appears, cannot be got
ready for even premiIinary exercises
in less than two months. To confess