Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-04-14
ARMIES TO BE LED BY BIOLOGISTS.

Since war has left the realm Of fiery romance ana Oe
come matter of digging the enemy out OF
approach-trenches sapping underground paffachS, anu
other evoutons Of the spade and plckaX new pfoDeS
face the General Staff It is becoming gradually evident
that to the various branches of knowledge that go TO make
up the science of strategy there must be added anoVher
namely geology says the Literary Digest IL IS not
enouph to be able to pick out hillside or bit OF MEADOW
land that will best lend itself to the tactics planned Inc
commanding officer, fighting now war OF enVrench
ments must choose position that Will also be dlggape
IF beneath deceptive light surface there is nothing but
rock trenches will be impossible, and his troops VIII nave
no chance against an entrenched enemy In NaurWls-
senschaften Prof Fritz Frech of the University OF Bres
la with characteristic German horOughness calls atten
ton to the need of geological knowledge In the army at
present and suggests certain reforms We quote from an
abstract in the Umschau (FranlfOrt-On-the eMan). lie
describes the hard coral limestone formations in the
Swaban Alps and similar impenerabe rock subsuraces
on the borders of the Black Forest and the VOsges and in
the rougher portions of Lorraine These we are told
Usually form desolate barren plains where the un-
deryng rock often appears Outcrop or is betrayed
by heaps Of stones Spades are ineffective In such SOIL
and even light pckaXes are of little service
On the other hand, in regions such as the plateaus
west of Metz composed of soft mal there is thick layer
of soft soil easily penerabe by spades The commanding
officer must therefore know closely the nature of the
country to which he is called that he may adequately
EARN" his men with the requisite agricultural mstlu-
mens. Or as we read:
Somewhat more comprehensive knowledge is re-
unite favoraby both for tactical and geological opera
tons Many fiedforfcatons necessarily erected at
certain definite locations the character Of whose soil must
needs therefore be taken into the reckoning But when
there is choice between several possible tactical posi-
tions the more easily worked ground would be chosen
Hence the leader of the troops should possess knowledge
of at least the fundamental principles of the construction
Of the crust of the earth or in important cases should
have advisers at hand who tell without loss of time
by the appearance and by geological maps where favor
able ground conditions are to be looked for
"The trained eye will be able to discover even
rocky subso strata of clay where advancement trenches
can be quickly driven perceive the necessity of the
carrying of artificial by the attacking troops when
for example in front of fortified position sufficient cover
can not be cut in solid rock in single night The geoog
ical map with its accompanying explanations furnishe
the essential principles of such information, but con
siderable degree of technical knowledge is required for it
understanding Hence technical biologists having mill
taly training should be consulted whenever the grount
conditions of unfamiliar regions exercise special influence
on military operations"