The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-19
European War win Test Its
Efficiency.
SPECTACULAR CHAR6ES
Officers Place Men in Strategic
Positions Now.
Calm and Carefully Calculated
Campaign Counts.

Fort LeavenWcrth, Kan, Aug. H.
The tactics of the American army are
on trial in the European war. For
years it has been known that the
American and the German modes Of
warfare have been similar. Except
for the epen-order formations-in
which America goes tc the furthest
extreme-the two armies are directed
by almost the same system. 1t is
known that Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood
is an ardent supporter Of the German
methods.
1t is also true that the French tao
tics are somewhat similar to parts of
the German and where they depart
from them they begin to parallel ours.
SO whatever the outcome of the Eu-
ropean war, the tactics of America
will receive a severe test that may
result in the Inauguration Of radical
changes.
America closed it's mind to things
belligerent at the close of the Spanish
American war, yet nothing could be
more fatal than to judge the army of
any nation by the standards existing
then In the brief lapse of sixteen
years the army has received the
closest study and has been benefited
by more inventions than at any other
period Of its existence.
EAuCleenNsy Oh N1OlOF A0[s
There are several innovations that
this war will either make or break.
One is the efficiency of light artillery,
another is the motor car in the dual
test as an armored scout and as q
mode of transportation. Still another
is camp sanitation. This last feature
has developed highly since the Span
ish-American war and will be sub
jected to it's most severe test by the
<vnr 1ic<vrr &c
The war will also settle forever the
value of mass formation.
Indirect Fire Methods.
The last three years have marked the
development of the indirect fire. BY
this method, perfected by the French.
and already in use in America, an in
visible enemy is located, and shells
containing 2O6 rifle size bullets. with
range timed fuses, are played on them
long before there is an actual view.
In hilly or rolling country. the indi-
rect fire is practically unassailable by
either light or heavy artillery, and foI
a range one thousand yards or over
the parabola is great enough to allow
shelter behind a pretty high hill.
No More Spectacular Charges.
Modern warfare is drawn to an exact
science and it is safe prediction that
this war will revOlutionize the rules OF
the war game. The old haphazard and
hysterical charges have passed into OBJ
livion. It is now governed by carefully
thought out plans. orders commune
Gated and obeyed and men placed In
strategic pOSitionS-au without con-
fusion. Gunners know to a mathema-
teal certainty the range of their guns
Advancing armies sally forth to attack
certain stronghold with complete in
formation of the strength of that po-
sition. Experts believe that the day
of such spectacular charges as that OF
the Light Brigade. Picketts men al
Gettysburg and of the Old Guard al
Waterloo has passed. It is not be-
lieved that this war will contribute
anything like them.
Careful Campaign.
The Germans will wage a fierce but
calm and carefully calculated cam
paign. They depend on their terrific
onslaughts to break the enemy. Their
losses will be immense. but they esti-
mate the great sacrifice of life at the
time of the charge as compensated in
the shortening of the time of the war
The French will exercise caution.
They will fight fiercely, but in open
formation, and will probably annihil-
ate the advance line of the enemy with
their ovnort hand1inv nf aPti11orv