The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-01-28
UNPLEASANT FACTS NOT
TAUGHT.
portland Oregonian.)


any attention to the current reports
from the European battlehelds realize
that modern military efficiency, as it
is now being demonstrated daily in an
epoch-making struggle, has never
the worlds history.
The actual facts concerning Ameri-
can military efficiency, or rather lack
of efficiency, as shown in our wars OF
the past, have never been fully pre-
scented to the country. Most Ameri-
cans who have studied school histo-
ries can cite military exploits and
famous battles wherein American SOL
diers proved the equals and often the
superiors of the best troops that ever
| fought in any war, modern or ancient.
Our popular historians tell US, in most
cases. what we like to hear best and
pass over briefly facts that are not so
pleasing or complimentary. so, IN
deed, most of US get what little mill.
tary history we know from school
textbooks written for youth, and, as
children, our opinions are shielded
from the cold, disagreeable facts that
we do not want to know, or, knowing,
do not want to remember.
From a purely military standpoint
the War of 1912 was the most humlll-
ating this Nation ever fought. and,
consequently, the war about which we
know the least. If the War of 1872
was the worst conducted. the war with
Mexico in 1867 was by long odds
carried out the best.
Success in the Mexican War was
largely due to the quality of the regu,
lar Army of that period. In army cir,
cIes the war was frequently called
"The West Point War;" owing to the
fact that it was the first war in whicf
officers from that institution took
General SCOTS appreciation of thu
West Point Cadets. as stated to tn'
United States Senate, deserves repeat
ing. He said: A..
az give it as my fixed opinion that
but for our graduated cadets, the wa
between the United States and Mckee
might, and probably would. have last
ed some four or five years, within 1t
first half more defeats than victorie
falling to our share; whereas. IN les
than two campaigns we conquered
great country and made peace with
!, out the loss of single battle or ski
mish."
The War of 1912 was a succession Q
> disa stcrs on land and brilliant VIC
tories on the sea. Notwithstandin
The fact that the United States en-
ployed more than sOO,OOo men. a
ngainst forces little more than one
tenth of that number. the only deci'
i've victory Of the war before the cor
clusion OF the treaty OF peace (th
hattie of New Orleans occurred there
after). was at the battle of the Thame
in Ontario. where the British regular
dispersed and captured, numbered b'
fc>v more than 300 men.
The American armies were IN mo-
cases only a little better than arme
mobs, half disciplined. poorly equil
ned. and poorly clad. and in spite
their overwhelming numbers were III
able successfully to invade Canad
Time and again they were defeated [
inferior numbers. ~ =.
The cold facts show that SOo Britt;
regulars, assisted by fewer than oU
Canadian militia and Indians. succee
ed in l8l2-l8l3 in making prisoners
Hulps army at Detroit, annlhilat'
General Winchester's army at Frenc
town. twice invaded Ohio and success
fully defended their own frontiers,
nnnosition to American forces of ha
i, thy organized and half;hlled re.
ments Of regulars and militia numbs
ing considerable more than SOU
, men. =, o...h
At Queenstown Heights, Octoh
; IS. 1872. after the advance guard
, American regulars. numbering abe
900 men. had crossed the Niaga
> river. stormed and saptured
: British position. some 1000 militiam
! on our side of the river. although
dered and implored by their comma
0 der absolutely refused to cross. uno
The olea that. according to the Cons
) tuition of the United States. they COZ
only be called out to resist. an
ed vasion," The result was that
by American regulars thus deserted
,be;r comrades were in few hot