Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-09-08

nothing about conserving their en-
ergy so as TO sustain themselves for
a hard days march and who did not
know what discipline was. Even now
I don't think nifty per cent could
stand a weeks hard work over the
rugged mountains and dusty prairies.
In the matter of equipment we had
nothing that we needed for field work
except uniforms and guns. We had no
ammunition. horses, mules. wagons,
motor trucks, machine guns or hos
pital supplies. Now we are being rap
idly equipped and can take our place
with any of them. I can readily UNDER
stand why we had to ask, why don't
the English do something" at the out
break of the European war. While /
know nothing. venture to say that
before the United States speaks its
final word to Mexico we shall be thor
oughly equipped and seasoned. For
these army officers are not blind, no
matter how politicians view things"
OF course. it must constantly be
kept in mind that the recruiting OF the
National Guard companies to full war
strength during the mobilization was
largely responsible for the apparent
lack of system and involving in the
criticism the seasoned Guardsmen.
In asking the recall of the patriotic
and self-sacriicing volunteers under
present conditions the New York as
ISOLATION emphasizes the defects of the
present system and urges an increase
of the regular army to a force suffi-
cient to meet the present emergency
and then to provide for universal mill
tary training for the entire male popu-
lation physically able to bear arms,
such training to be during the non
productive period of their lives and be-
fore they have taken up their profess
sion, business or vocation. Such in
tenstve training to be for a period suf-
fcient to produce efficiency
Whatever the final action of the gov
ernment at Washington with respect
to the volunteer army now in the
field, the mobilization of the troops
has demonstrated the need of more
general military training and even
now the importance of some initial
military instructions among the school
boys Of the land should be self evil
dent.
Some time ago the Telegraph sug-
gested the organization of a battalion
OF cadets to consist OF one company
each from the two high schools of
the city, the Harrisburg Academy and
the parochial schools. Data was plac-
ed in the hands of superintendent
Downes by this newspaper which
might still be utilized in the organi-
zation Of such a battalion. We believe
the boys of Harrisburg themselves re-
altze the necessity Of reasonable mill
tary training and the old fear of mill
tarism should have no place in the
thought of the school authorities
Aside from the physical benefit Of
such training the discipline is worth
much and this fact should appeal to
those who are familiar with present
conditions in this country.
Also, such training would break
down class distinctions, instil patriot
ism and democracy, educate the rising
generation to a higher sense of duty
and obligation. build up the nations
manhood physically, and fuse into a
patriotic whole the many divergent
foreign strains now claiming citizen
ship and protection under our flag
and its institutions.
All that independent of the prime
purpose of peace through prepared
ness.