New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-30
To Train Citizen Officers.

To Train Citizen Officers.
The extraordinary apathy of the
Federal government toward any increase
in either the size or efficiency Of the ma
tons military forces is being thrown into
stronger relief daily by private activities
having such increase in view. The forma-
ton of the National Security League was
among the first Of the indications that
citizens of the United States would take
the matter of military preparedness into
their own hands if their government re-
NAMED obdurate. Very lately The Tribune
has had occasion to comment on the fine
beginning achieved by the Aero Club Of
America in collecting money and private
machines for the training of volunteer
aviators. The increased interest in the
summer. campo for the military education
Of college students is still another phase
Of the NOV .ment But possibly the most
significant item of all is the campaign now
in full swing, to interest young profess
sional and business men in an army camp
for their instruction to be established near
Plattsburg, n. Y, between August 10 and
September 6.
The campaign is being conducted by
committees representing various college
alumni clubs and is designed TO reach
those men Of education, for the most part
in their thirties, whom an intensive course
of soldierly training would timber up and
transform into potential officers for volun-
teer troops The idea, of course, grew out
of the students summer camps, which
have proved their effectiveness. 1t has
taken root more particularly in the cities
Of the Atlantic seaboard, in New York,
Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore, where
the interest shown in it has been i'm
mediate and large. Here in New York
already $4,000 circulars have been dis
tributed describing the training camp and
its advantages and requirements. Many
employers have agreed to give their men
leaves of absence with pay while the latter
are attending camp. Major General
[ eonard Wood is according the campaign
his active support, having spoken within
q day or so at "a meeting III Boston TO pro-
mote enrolment. The project has the in
dorsement, also, of Major General John
F. Organ, commanding the National
Guard Of New York.
Briefly, the camp to be under the direct
% oAc Of no nj
States Army, will provide drills, target
practice. instruction in military hygiene,
tactics, strategy and the many other
branches of military science. Two pairs
of shoes well broken in and a khaki uni
form and campaign hat are requisites. 1t
is estimated that $40 will cover the pur-
chase of these and all other expenses of
the four weeks Of camp life for one man,
excluding his fare up and back. And the
splendid training he receives, an everlast-
ing asset to him mentally and morally,
but especially physically, will put him
under no greater obligation to volunteer
for his country's defence in case of war
than he labors. under at present, soft and
green as he is.
The inexpensive simplicity Of this OPP
portunity to prepare ones self for the final
test of manhood, should it come, seems
bound to meet with a response which will
rebuke, as TO other demonstration could,
the administration neglect TO call Con
gress in extra session and itself take the
lead in the movement for greater military
preparedness. 1t will prove to the country
that the most intelligent element of its
electorate has precious little sympathy
with Mr.. Bryan's peace-at-any-price
doctrine or Mr.. Wilson's programme of
indifference and delay.