Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-03
SAFEGUARD for Nation.

pend
Safeguard for Nation.
"The object sought" the bulletin of
| tho War Department announces, ais
not in any way one of military ag-
grandizement. but means of meet
ing a vital need confronting a peaceful,
unmilitary, though warlike, nation. to
preserve that desired peace and pros
perity by the best known precaution,
viz, a more thorough preparation and
equipment to resist any effort to break
such peace.
AT these camps such troops of the
regular army as may be necessary and
rs may be available at the time will
be in attendance and will cooperate in
the military instruction and in the diff
ferent field manoeuVreS, exercises and
demonstrations. If practicable, oppor-
tunities will be offered to those who
desire it to have little experience and
training in actually riding the horses of
the cavalry or the caissons of the ar
tillery at drill. The theoretical princi-
pies of tactics, including advance and
rear guards, patrols, outposts and COM
bat, will be studied and explained in a
series of informal talks, tactical walks
and war games conducted by selected
competent officers. The practical appli-
cation of the above will be carried out
in the field by the students themselves
and also in conjunction with the regu-
lar troops, blank ammunition being
used to make the exercises more realis-
tic. Military map-making and road
sketching will be explained, and OPP
pertunities for practical work in same
will be offered to those who desire it.
Teach Use of Rifle.
The handling and working of the
rifle and its proper use will be taught
and put into practical use by means
of gallery Cor sub-ealibre) practice and,
If practicable, actual firing with the
service rifle and ammunition on the
target range. To those students max
ing the necessary qualification over the
prescribed course, the National Rifle
Association Of America will give their
prescribed craftsmanship badges. and
also offer trophy to be competed for
by teams representing the different ed
neational institutions. Physical drill.
marching and breaking camp, loading
and unloading wagons, camp expedi-
lents, field cooking, camp sanitation.
first aid to the injured, personal ny
giene and the care of the person and
troops in the field will be taught by
practice.
Informal talks by selected officers
will be given on the following SUBJ
iects: Use and duties of the different
arms and branches of the service Tin
fantry, field artillery. cavalry, engl-
neers, signal troops and the medical
lcorps). field fortification, including the
having out. construction and use of
trenches: military bridge building, use
of explosives, demolitions; the tactical
organization of the military FORCES OF
the United States, the reasons there-
for, and comparison with that or Tor
eign armies; the supply food ana ma
tcrial of an army and the problems
connected Herewith, the psychology OF
war: tho true military history of our
iaountry-not the illuminated school
hook version of our few victories, pue
the real accounts as taken from the
official records, of our many defeats
and tho reasons therefor; military pol
lev mast and present, the necessity OF
come sound definite military policy anu
the addition thereof, and the present
scheme as worked out by the genera
1e+off Of the army. The camp Will IN
to,pae a practice march of several Gays
drraotion. in which as nearly as pos
sihIe such actual campaign conoitlons
- n,arcb. biyouac and combat Will De
/ fcl,oved as the assumed situation
would exact.
Real Military Work.
~rhis will be real military work, not
NAV. and only students who come 10
1 learn are desired, a correct understand
/ ing Of the principles involved pelis
considered of more importance IN inc
short time available for instruction
than the exercise or movement itSeii,
the minutiae and exact precision Oh
close order drill will only be insisted
upon enough to insure dlsciphhe. En-
terded most important.
president Drinker of Lehigh uniVer-
eitv who inspected on seVerai occa-
sions the camp at Gettysburg last sum-
n,ar subsequently described 1t as one
of the finest institutions he mad ever
coo, He said that he found nothlhg
~ cr;ticise and everything TO cofh-
mend and admire.
at cor think said President Drink
-. "of no six weeks that could be spent
Inv our boys to better advantage TO
thenose,ves and with better promise to
our country of development OF gooo'
manly men and gentlemen. The coun-
trv owes a great debt of gratitude TO
+bo men who devised and put into ell
fect this experiment for the benefit OF
a,,, youth and it is greatly to be hop
ed that it may go on and be developed
o'nd enlarged to embrace in succeed
IT, Years as many of our young men
as rossih,e. for in the training OF our
college and university youth nothng
car he more valuable than this hard
d,scin,lnary experience in obedience
md regular clean living
The Tariff Changes Summarized.