Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-18
Preparing for the Inevitable

W/lETlIER the country is prepared as yet
w 10 make the sacrifices entailed by the
adoption OF universal military service. or will
have Ia be convinced by Il Ions campaign Of
education. or by sharper lesson than has
been taught 10y the German and Mexican situa-
lions, IL is evident that the Shrinking men in
charge OF the countrys military establish
ment see no other way TO meet the growing
demand for adequate national defense 1t is
also evident that they are preparing for it,
as far as possible
Changes Ill the course OF study at West
Point. recommended both by the General Staff
and by officers who have served on the border
and in training camps. are designed 10 increase
the efficiency OF the men turned out of the
nation military academy. not only sol
diers. but as teachers Of soldiers. Even now.
il is estimated that about SO per cent of an
officers work is instruction. lie must teach
the noncommissioned officers. OF course. and
IN recent years he has been ca lied on to in
struct officers and men OF the National Guard.
In the event of universal service. II is mani
lest that his instruction work would be greatly
increased.
Therefore. the recommendations made look
10 better equipping the West Point graduate
in military pedagogy. III they are adopted
and made effective. a long step will be taken
in the right direction The scheme would
begin a. one OF the starting points from
which the best Continental armies have
reached their technical efficiency. Ii would
provide a nucleus OF highly trained officers
who IN turn. would be able 20 impart con-
siderable part OF their knowledge TO the men
under them. This would be doubly advan-
taseous. in that il would tend TO perfect the
organization and would al the same time give
increased opportunity for advancement to en-
listed men who might desire 10 enter the
service permanently.
Our old idea. inherited from undemocratic
armies. that an officer is q superior social
being. apart and above. is rapidly dying out
The sooner il completely dies out. except Tor
its disciplinary aspect. the better it will. be
tor the army and for the COUNTRY. The fact
is. the officers or our army and navy are
largely drawn from the class that sup
plies the enlisted men oil both arms. Com
petitive examinations for appointment to West
Point and Annapolis, as we'll better edu-
cational facilities particularly in the navy
have contributed materially 10 this result
And. i'll the very recent past, the mobilization
or thousands OF men, all from the same degree
in life has further broadened the army's
growing democracy.
Within the last few weeks H. enlisted
men OF the regular army have passed the
difficult. examinations for second lieuterancies
thus adding to the already largo percentage
or officers III the army who are not West
Point graduates. If the suggested changes
are made in the courses al West Point the
chances OF the enlisted men Will be largely
hetieTed. In any case, they will make the
West Point officer far more valuable factor
in assuring the benefits OF universal military
service TO the country than he is now
And III so equipping him. the military
authorities are merely providing for what
must come in the end.