New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-05
AT TOBYHANNA
What Is Being Done for the Militia
There.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Until this summer | had altogether
devoted less thought to the United States
army than in one short campaign ! would
devote to which Of two undesirable candi-
dates for Governor Of New York should
vote for the next November. But four
days visit to the United States Field Artil-
lery camp at Tobyhanna, Penn, has cor
rected my sense Of relative values; and
hereafter | wish to know more and shall
have to think more about our army and what
it means to the country.
A short distance from Tobyhanna station
the government owns some two thousand
acres of a plateau $500 feet above sea level
Here in spring, summer and autumn are sta
toned several batteries of field artillery
with officers, instructors and full equipment
During the summer months militia batteries
Of field artillery come for instruction In ac-
cordance with the expense-sharing plan that
has been operating for the last Few years
During my visit the three field artllleries OF
the Massachusetts, militia were in camp Nv
ing the life Of regular soldiers, commanded
by their own officers, but all under the IN
struction of the experts of the United States
amy.
These United States artillery officers con-
sttuted Just about the finest group OF citi-
zens have been privileged to meet for
long time. 1t would be hard to match them
for persistence, for hard work, for unselhsh
devotion or for capablity in their profes-
sion, no matter in what other callings one
might search for comparisons The elght-
hour day is unknown to United States army
officers. From a q. m. breakfast to 6
D. m. supper the whole day is planned out
in duties OF real importance, and the even
ings so to making up reports for the war
Department or in giving or hearing lectures
by experts in various lines.
These officers are thoroughly interested
in their men. They treat the enlisted men
as human beings. They practise little formal
ty, and they are as keen to find ability
among their privates and to tell each other
about it as any efficiency manager ever
heard Of And the men like the officers, too
I had opportunity to see that. There is
real human bond between them. This fortu-
nate condition may not prevail throughout
the entire army, but is condition that
believe is growing rapidly.
The attitude toward the militia was splen-
did To be sure, these Massachusetts, bat
teries are supposed to be about the best
militia field artillery batteries in the coun-
try, but the delight of the regular officers
over the earnestness and enthusiasm of the
miltiamen was infectious. They laid them
selves out to give the militia the best in
struction they could give, and that instruc-
ton was the very essence Of clearness. The
militia officers and men appreciated the in
struction they were getting, and spoke with |
unbounded enthusiasm of the regular artil |
lery captains.
Another thing that was impressive was the
way those militiamen, fresh from the offices, |
mills or whatever might be their daily work,
threw themselves into the unaccustomed life
and played the game through to the last in
slant And it certainly was hard work!
In general the same thing might be said
Of all our militia organizations, except when
local politics interferes Personal comfort
and convenience are cheerfully sacrificed to
the one patriotic service these citizens have
a chance TO render.
Good citizenship that was the thought
impressed on me most strongly by this ex-
perence. The same unsefsh, patriotic SER !
vice marked both the efficient army officers,
and the militiamen, giving what time and
energy they could spare from their regular
occupations. The sooner more young men
are given a chance to do likewise the better
for the young men and the better for the
country. This is true whether we look TO
the actual value of these men in national
defence regard the effect of this training
in making them better citizens, with a con- |
ception of their country as something for
which sacrifice and service are needed rather
than as something from which protection
and prosperity are as by right demanded.
And is there not need of service for the |
public good from those not fitted to bear |
arms? Even for defence in war we need
the service of men who have had no military
experience; and proper service will not come
without previous organization and training.
If, being prepared, we are blessed through
avoiding war, the possibilities for intelligent,
organized service for the common good from |
all patriotic citizens in times of peace
transcend all imagnings. But we must ed |
ucate our citizens to be ready to serve the
country, and even to expect to render ser
vice at the sacrifice of comfort and personal |
interest. Why shouldn't The Tribune sound |
trumpet call to patriotic service right |,
now? W.M
New York, Aug. 3, 1915.