The Washington times., 1915-10-04
"YoUNd MHN FoR WAR"

"YOUN0 MEN FOR WAR"
"Old men for counsel, young men
for war;" The ancient epigram Is
being revised and reversed in some
directions, but emphasized in others.
One Of the minor countries is re-
ported to have summoned all men
under fifty-eight years to the colors;
all Of them are taking men Of more
advanced years than have been per-
mitted in ordinary struggles.
The conditions Of warfare in the
trenches make for more effective
utilization Of older men, because the
kind Of physical stress laid on them
is different than that experienced in
open warfare. Germany is under
stood to be using q larger proper
tion Of her older levies on the west
ern front, and to have thrown the
younger men, SO far as possible, in
to the eastern field; and the reasons
are manifest. The young men can
bear up under the stress of march,
ing, fighting, hard conditions of life,
better than the older; the older are
capable enough in the work Of the
trenches where sudden shock may
require now and then to be met,
without the continuous physical ex-
ercise of the open field.
In one department of wars oper-
ations, however, the rule Of using
young men for action has been
strengthened. This is in the flying
corps. Before the war, all the ma
tions had the idea that it was neces-
sary to use young officers for fly
ing. It has been found that this is
not only unnecessary, but that,
while taking needed officers from
the field, it does not even produce
the highest efficiency among the
aviators. Handling an aeroplane is
marvelously like running an auto.
mobile; it requires a combination OF
steady nerve, physical strength, and
instant control. The engineer Of ar
aeroplane, in short, is nothing more
nor less than q skilled chauffeur ir
the air. He must know enough
about mechanics to get the best re-
suits from his machine, and mus
have the nerve and presence Of minc
to meet whatever emergency ma,
arise in the best and quickest way.
For such work as this experience
has proved that daredevil youthl
are the best. Boys Of seventeen t.
the early twenties are found ex
actly the right ones to learn mos
quickly the business of driving al
air car. They acquire that muscu
lar control which must become al
most involuntary, with readiness
that is impossible in older men. Th'
man Of more advanced years doe
not develop a new set of musrula
reactions easily; the boy does i
without knowing he is doing it.
So now in the flying corps, espe
cially Of the French and British
youths manage the machines Will
officers, possessed Of the necessar.
technical knowledge, go along mere
ly as passengers, to make the oh
servations. The flying corps is
superior division Of humanity. Il
their view, mankind is divided int
two classes: the aristocracy of "fy
ing men," and the great conlmonalt.
of men who don't fly. Between tn
flying men Of the different armies
even, there is tie that insures tina
the captured aviator is certain o
especially good treatment from hi
captors.
The loss of life among the hyin
corps is declared to be decided
small considering the seeming risk
that arc taken. 1t is said that o
the western front careful calcula
tions have proved that the men i
the air have a better chance Of gel
ting Oft with whole skins than thos
in the trenches.
From these things there shoul
, be a lesson to the aviation servic
Of our army and navy. Uncle Sar
has been training officers for thi
service; yet no army needs to hav
it's officers for other service s
much as does that of the Unite
States.