The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1914-02-06

lions, the invention or intricate anu
powerful new engines of war: the
need. as revealed by studies and ex-
perience OF military sanitation; the
development OF new and swift meth
DDS of transportation-all these have
changed the character of the soldiers
business. He must know more today
than he ever knew before. The idea
OF the soldier as mere food for pow
der" long ago became obsolete. A
higher training is required.
Our little standing army, therefore,
Is today regarded more as training
school and a model for the larger mill
tary force that will be necessary In
our next war than as the countrys
chief land defense dependence. From
the citizens must come the big fight
ing force.
In our every war We have sent uli-
trained citizens into the field at the
beginning. The resulting loss OF life.
largely because OF the ignorance of
how to live under military field con-
dtions has been shocking. The finan-
cial loss In prolongation of the war,
In temporary setbacks. in expense of
improvising field armies from nothing,
in pension rolls, has been stupendous
Lack of preparedness was the cause.
Preparedness, then, Is the aim and
purpose OF the military authorities OF
the United States. They are trying,
so far as congress and public opinion
will permit, to profit by the awful les
sons of the past. They are trying TO
make the regular army a perfect mill
tary force and TO make the National
Guard, otherwise the organized mill
tia, just as well trained as any body
OF citizen soldiers can be trained
Results are being achieved.
There has been an organized militia
of sorts ever since this became q
constitutional republic. The organic
ing of IL ever has been in the hands
of the states. however. and the states
have had varying ideas OF what sort
tanned in the guise OF organized
militia
The war OF 1898 showed up the de
fects OF our military system in a glar
ing fashion. This resulted In The
passage of the new militia law o
; 1903, known as the Dick bill. really
organizing the militia force. BY thi:
act larger federal assistance was givei
to the militia of the states and a larg
er measure OF military efficiency re
quired of those forces In return 70
that aid.
In 1908 the law was amended AM
improved. A national militia board
consisting of militia officers appointe,
by the secretary of war. was author
lied TO advise with the war depart
. ment on militia affairs And also tn
division of militia affairs in the wa
} department was created TO handle tn
subject.
, II is this division which Brig. Ger
r Albert l. Mills now heads.
/. Federal aid is now extended TO tn
organized militia or National Guard
S of the various states TO the exter
Y OF about $5,000,000 a year. OF thi
: about 50 $4,000 is expended for arm
equipment, camp purposes and mane'
e vers, about $500,000 for the promotio
r OF rifle practice. something like $500
4 900 for ammunition and more tina
I s1,000,000 for supplies
e The result Of the new laws has bee
d TO bring the National Guard force int
z closer and more intimate relation wit
8 the regular army. TO make IL MOI
uniform in organization. discipline ar
d equipment and TO establish STANDARD
II OF efficiency, 10 which all elements a
II working
If General Mills himself. in his ere
e carriage. grizzled hair stiff. gray. mi
IS tary mustache, firm jaw and strong
D. lined mouth, is the ideal soldier
s. speech he is careful and deliberate
lie action sure, determined. rapid.
IN strong character" is the estimate
the observer 1t Is correct es
OF mate One known, without the stu
IN OF his life and habit of thought III
&c demonstrates the correctness of [
a theory. that he is man of hi
a ideals. spotless life and simple ere
IL OF right and wrong.
IN specimen must represent very slig