The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-18
CAMPS ROCKIES ARE
AWKWARD WITH GUN
Plattsburg Citizen Soldiers on
Rifle Ranges Fail to Suit
l.. 8. Officers.
HEAR INVASION LECTURE

PLArTspuRc, Aug. 17.-Within sight OF
where the first and last naval engage
ments we're fought between the Amert-
can and English people prominent bus'-
ness and professional men from many
sections were learning to-day the art OF
firing the high power army rife n incl
dentally being called down" by the reg
ular army officers. commissioned and
non-commissioned, for their lack of
knowledge In the handling of the
/ weapon.
At 6 o'clock this morning the crack OF
the rife Was heard on the range. Among
the first to visit tho range was Robert
Bacon. and ne was among the last to
leave the sand mounds and return to tho
shelter OF his tent In a Company.
Apparently one OF the most difficult
tasks Of the rockies Is the giving of
the proper military salute to the COM
m%issioned officers Of the regular army.
The officers do not as yet insist on the
salute, but this will come within "A few
days. and before the close OF the camp
buck private" who neglects to give the
salute to his superior officers will have
his attention called to his neglect in no
uncertain language.
The men are making rapid progress
In mastering the most intricate parts OF
military tactics. An officer who was on
duty here both AT the students camp and
with the business men said that the pres
ent students are more advanced In mil
itary matters than were the students at
the close OF their second week OF in
struction. This is due partly to the
fact that many members of the present
camp are or have been members of the
militia. One former national guardsman
said to-day that soldering In the State
from which he came was a pink tea"
compared with the training they are re-
ceiving at his camp.
Rain or shine the rockies are ordered
out for duty. and when they come upon
a puddle Of mud during a practice march
they are ordered to go through and not
around II.
Col. Edward r. Glynn, Chief OF Staff
under Gen. Wood. addressed the mem
hers OF the camp tonight on the matter
o! the necessity for preparedness for the
defence OF the country in case of an
attack by "A foreign enemy. Taking a
large map OF the United States on which
the eastern section OF the country was
shCwn in detail he said that the vital
part of the country lay tive Port
lard. Me. and Baltimore. Then dra W.
iie a straight line from Erie. Pa. to
Chesapeake Bay. which he said was
about 900 miles, the distance over which
the Germans are now holding their
enemies in check and at the same time
meeting the russians and other foes at
other points. the Germans, he ex-
p'ained. were able 10 do this by placing
three men to every yard OF their in
ttenchments. lie said that II this
country were invaded by an enemy
which could take and hold this line the
whole country would he at their mercy.
for within hat line are located most OF
the steel ana munitions plants of the
country. We at present could not hold
such a line. he said, nor could we pre-
vent an enemy from occupying II. In
fact. he asserted We could not even
hold as Insignificant a position as Bos-
ten not having the trained men for
such a task.
"What this country needs Is trained
men men who are properly organized /.
an organization in which each "A
knows his duty and how to perform IT,"
the officer said with emphasis.
He said that he did not mean to refer
particularly 10 Germany when speaking
OF conditions. adding hat his words APP
piled 10 any other nation prepared for
any emergency.
The chief dependence in the United
States now is the state militia, but Il
had been proved. the officer asserted.
tha in case of necessity. only so per
cent. OF the militia coulu ne depended
upon to answer the call to arms.
Col. Glynn closed his address with a
strong plea for the members OF the
camp to assist those who have the mat
ter OF the defence OF the country and 10
do this by the constant advocacy OF the
training Of the young men along mill
tary lines. As he finished Col. Glynn
was wytrmly applaudcd by the crowd in
the auditorium tent.
Anhie Roosevelt left the oamp for his
home this evening.