South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-04-09
POINTS OUT VALUE
Of COLLEGE BRED
MEN FOR SOLDIERS
University Heads Sounded on
Proposition of Making Camps
and Training Grounds on
School CampuSeS.

WASHINGTON, April .. - Twen-
ty-fve heads of universities and col
leges have been sounded as to the
availability of college students for sol
der material
Most of them are of the opinion
that our higher institutions of learn
ing should be utilized as a recruiting
ground for soldier material in case
the country should need a trained
body for national defense.
y representative view is set forth in
an article in a recent issue of the
Nassau Literary Magazine" prince
toni. Discussing proposed plans for
the military training of college stu
dents the writer, Dr. Hibben. says:
This end can be attained, it seems
to me, by the most admirable plan
suggested two years ago by the war
department and carried into effect dur
ing the last two summers.
1T is the plan of summer camps
for college men. A few men have
gone each year into these camps. L
wish there might be more.
Learn Much i'm Five Weeks.
These camps afford opportunities
for intensive instruction in military af-
fairs. The course lasts only five weeks,
but in that time quick-witted young
men of trained minds are capable of
theory and art of military procedure.
This is the testimony given by Gen.
Leonard Wood and other officers of
the United States army who have had
charge of these summer camps.
THE main feature of this plan is
that intensive training Will fit men for
useful service in time of great emer-
gency, but it does not aim to prepare
them for the profession of arms; thus
the professional idea is minimized"
After two summers in these camps,
it is found that "One who has passed
the various disciplinary tests both of
body and mind is fitted to serve in
time Of emergency as a first or second
lieutenant, and that the men who at
tain the highest standing and show
unusual proficiency may possibly
qualify as captains" DIR. Hibben pro-
ceeds.
The man who has some knowledge,
however slight, of military procedure
is in a position TO gain more knOwl-
edge through his own efforts in the
midst of rapidly accommodating eXpe-
riences.
Trained Men Are Needed.
"a little knowledge is not always
a dangerous thing; it is always most
useful when it serves as a germ to de-
velop larger knowledge.
IN the event OF war it will not be
difficult to secure volunteers, but al
though they may rally to the colors
with admirable spirit and enthusiasm,
they are unframed, undisciplined, and
withal densely ignorant
1T is in this connection that the col
lege man with his camp experience
can be OF great assistance TO the re
cruiting and training officers. He can
help az a time when help is most
needed.
IF our colleges generally would
send fair number of their under
graduates each summer TO these
camps, we would soon have scattered
throughout the nation valuable cen
ters of military strength, men who
could be relied upon in the hour Of
danger. and who would be able to an
swer that call not only with courage
and in the spirit of patriotism, but
with a measure of knowledge which
wOul6 place them at once in a class
above the raw recruit, and therefore
their services would prove immediate
ly valuable 10 the government
Our college men are preparing in
their college years to become worthy
citizens of our nation in the discharge
of the daily duties of their business
and professional lives 1t must not be
overlooked also that they will natural
ly be called upon for service in the
time Of their country's dire need. AS
educated men they should be able to
offer something more than a willing
spirit"