The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-15
TEN. WOOD EMPHASIZES THE NATIONS NEED OF ARMY OFFICERS;
MAYOR mitchell is NOW SERGEANTAND POLICE HEAD A PRIVATE
Anv Men as Well rs Civilians
Receive Excellent
Training.
MENKEN MAKES ADDRESS

p, ArrsnrRG, y. Y, Aug. 1+.-Just
before Gen. Leonard Wood left the mill
,sry Instruction camp this afternoon to
70 20 the camp OF regulars and militia
q, ~Tobyhanna, Ia. for "A day or two
be me, up with a group OF newspaper
men and in reply to numerous questions
smoke his thoughts on the need Of min
,ary training at this particular time.
Gen. Wood was somewhat rct1cent AZ
hrs, about talking for publication. but
snally his enthusiasm over the wonders
,mt have been accomplished IN the in
rruction canp resulted In his breaking
A rue and giving forth an interview in
which ne dwelt among other things upon
the nations need of $1,000 trained off,
cers to command an auxiliary force.
In his talk too he spoke Of the good
effect the present work at h tnstruc-
ton camp is having not only upon the
'Nuden, soldiers but upon the army
officers who are training the mon 80
marvellously. one gathered from the
Generals talk that 1t is a very good
ehsng at this particular time to have
regular officers get some experience in
licking raw recruits into shope.
THE experience In training men which
our officers are getting here said Gen.
Wood. will in effect double their efi-
CHENEY in the ine of ability to create
new organizations. They are learning
q greet deal themselves, besides trans
hitting information to Tha
regular army's value as an instrument
Of defence would be increased greatly
N this kind Of work could be carried
on systematically all over the country
No Reelection on Volunteers.
Gen. Wood then took pains I o correct
q notion that N1t abroad. following
his talk here wednesday night about
he volunteer service. When he said
the country could not depend upon
volunteers in case OF war he meant no
reflection upon the volunteer. but spoke
only Of the volunteer idea.
mo one" he said. has n right to
think that there is anything voluntary
in the discharge of his duty to the
country az a soldier. The duty Is bin
ms upon all citizens. A man might as
vel talk about volunteering as a soldier
a. talk proudly of volunteering to obey
moral laws or pay his debts. It's a
matter OF principle. lot OF volition.
I'm not discussing now the individual
or the very fine volunteer spirit which
prompts him to offer his services. ]
mean the system we've followed in de
pending on volunteers when war 10 i'm.
mInent. Unfortunately our volunteer
sRa,Arp iS comma IN hla pnf tn an nrUn N.
ized volunteer department, but TO a fire
department. organized after the fire has
started, made up OF volunteers withou,
equipment and not knowing how to use
the equipment IL they had IT,"
There are three sources from whic.
vp un,eer officers might be drawn. ths
General pointed out. First, there are
men who have served ~ officers In the
regular service or militia. a group that
a. zen. Wood put II, lis very limited
Next there is a group OF men. although
yer, small" who have qualified through
special examination and have had theii
names before the War Department a:
men worthy OF commissions. The third
class embraces young men who have has
military instruction IN agricultural anC
iechnical schools.
zen. Wood also dwelt upon anothe
source OF supply of officers. men VIII,
AVE been graduated from militar.
schcols such as Pennsylvania State Col
ltge, Culver and the Virginia Militar!
Institute.
"All those sources OF supply OF or
GERS" Gen. Wood concluded. are avail
able and could be made use Of In time o
need al next to no cost. The value o
theee young men in case of war woul'
be beyond expression There Ia plent,
Of material at hand. but what Is re
Quired most Of all IL an organised, wei