Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-03-31
BY Norman McAMister.

Washington, March 3O--The last
word of an authoritative nature that
the general public is likely to have
until the close of the present Euro.
pean war, regarding the status OF
military affairs in the United States,
is that which is given by Major.Gen-
eral William Harding Carter, U. 8. A.,
in his book, "The American Army"
which has just been published (Bobbs.
Merrill.) Within the last few days
the war department tjIWashington
issued stringent orders to the effect
that nothing officially org unofficial
shall be written or spAken, Regarding
military affairs by ahyoHes in the
service. The order has included wen
the militia organizations throughout
the United States.
1t is for chat reason that a vast
amount of interest attaches itself to
his new work by General Carer,
coming, as it does, at a time when the
ewes of the nation are turned toward
its military organization, from a man
who ranks perhaps above all others in
che service, in knowledge concerning
the military affairs Of the country.
General Carter has served in every
grade in the army from that Of cad
ct to that of major-general, and has
now been lnoger in active service
than any other officer on the list. He
has served twice as a member of
the general staff in Washington and
has been in command Of many Of the
most important posts created by the
war department.
10 America Prepared?
After months of European war with
out either side gaining a distinct ad.
vantage, It, has come time for thought
full and intelligent American people
to quit specializing on the length OF
the war or the probable outcome, and
to begin thinking about what new du.
ties and obligations will rest upon
America whichever side wins. 1t is
the duty OF. every loyal citizen to
know something-to know all he can
about the conditions and methods
Of administration of our own mill.
tary frees and the urgent need Of
Matchmaking and organizing our mill.
tary resources while there is no wal
cloud In our horizon.
| Us ~ ILLS OCu0Idl OdlLcll III 11C
American Army" points particularly.
And especially timely and important
may the work he has done be regard.
ed when it is known that the book
was really begun before the outbreak
Of the war in Europe and represents
the %uncolored, rational view of Ameri-
cas- greatest authority on military af.
fairs regarding the real military needs
OF this country in the case Of any
emergency, regardless Of present ur-
gent conditions. ~.
d Oceans No Longer Guard Coasts.
In his predatory note, Major-General
Carter says During all the earlier
years Of the republic the limitless
faith in the ocean barriers guarding
our casts prevented'a hearing of those
who urged a definite military policy
for the nation. Leviathan passenger
ships, each capable of carrying a brt.
gade such as fought the battles of the
Civil war, have changed all;ithat. We
are now at peace withtthe world, and
the prayers of every American house!
hold are for a continuance of that de-
sirable status for all time, but our in:
terests are too great for us to occupy
forever the safe side of every Ques.
|tion." t!p34 5gaJroas4 5% IT. EaG
With long practice in the field of
military 3Operations-a man who has
known warfare in the days of~the Re