Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-04-11

their ignorance implicitly in themselves
and their ability to conquer any force
they should encounter 1 am co oVinc-
ed that before the Columbus raid their
feeling was that of contempt of a larg-
er man for smaller, weaker antago-
MIST"
The G~st shock was given the Villa
bandists when 20 of their men were kill
ed by half as many troopers of the
Thirteenth cavalry, who made the sor-
tie across the itnerna tional line after
the raid. But even then they did not
realize their own weakness, soldiers and
civilians returning from the front re-
porting that in the towns through which
bers boosted of their superiority over
the "gringo" forces.
CONTRAST is STRIKING.
1t was at Guerrero that the contrast
between the craftsmanship of the two
forces was demonstrated There the
troopers of the Seventh cavalry, shoot
ing coolly and steadily, sent almost ev-
cry bullet to its mark, while General
Hernandez's soldiers fired wildly as they
ran, nearly all shooting high above the
heads of the Americans. AS a result
only four American cavalrymen were
slightly wounded, while fifteen times
that number of Villa followers were
killed and as many more wounded.
a similar demonstration of marksman-
ship at Aguas Calientes confirmed the
suspicion already growing in the minds
of the bandits that the ability of the
"gringoes" had been misrepresented, &C.
cording to arrivals here.
Army men here point out that, al
though important, the moral effect upon
Villas command of the display of Amer
ilan craftsmanship is a minor consider
alton as compared with the effect upon
the poems. For it was in Chihuahua
that Villa first held sway and il is in
Guerrero that many of the natives wor-
ship Villa as an idol. Realizing this,
General Pershing has taken every pre-
caution to prevent outbreaks among the
Villa adherents and has placed small de-
tachments In towns. along the American
line of communication not garrisoned
by Carranza troops.
TO INSPIRE RESPECT.
General Persning believes that a
Wholesome respect for the ability of
American soldiers will go a long way
toward solving his problems with the
natives" an officer said today.
The craftsmanship of the soldiers is
the result of a studied effort in the last
few years to bring their shooting to
the highest point of efficiency. Regu-
lar target practice on military reserva-
tions and bonuses paid to soldiers who
showed merit has done much to accom-
plish this end.
Each year the army departmental
commander designates period for tar
get practice, each military reservation
having both n rifle range and q SNORING
sallery. The first step in making a
r,arksman is what the soldiers call "the
push and pull drill 1t consists of Gales
themes, training the muscles of the
shoulders and arms FOR SteadlnesS IN
aiming. Next they are taught to set
their pieces properly for distance and
to correct for windaGe and errors in
elevation. this being followed by about
two weeks of gallery practice.
In these drills each man is graded as
10 his shooting ability. those men quail
tying highest being rated as expert
~inemen," and given an increase in pay
Of So monthly. slightly lower grade
classes man as n 'sharpshooter' with
an increase of So mCnthly, while others
qualify as "marksman" and are entitled
o a 81 increase.
Field firing combat practice, or drill
Under conditions similar TO those in
battle also has been regular part OF
the annual work. This practice is COM
petitive, each company being graded on
its efficiency as an organization by the
results. III II the CoIhpoi'S
is given a tactical problem in the work
inc out of which silhouette targets, usu-
ally bneeling or prone, by means of
mechanical contrivances are suddenly
dropped before the troops in the field
and the men are graded on their per-
centagc of hits and misses. The cavalry
ard infantry Grill is similar except that
the cavalry practice is complicated by
the weaving in and out among the horse
men of targets resembling mounted men.